HOW TO BEAT WRITER'S PROCRASTINATION
Exercise Your Writing Muscles
First things first-stating the obvious …
Not only must a writer be an avid reader, but one who reads a ton in their areas of writing.
Some say, read different types of genres to be exposed to different styles. I say do that, but if you haven’t published a book in a particular genre yet, read everything you can in the genre you want to be published in, including a mixture of the classics, and what’s popular today.
Why? It allows you to get a true sense of what’s current, what’s paying homage, what’s overdone and now considered a spoof, what agents consider marketable, and what’s good, and most importantly, what’s bad. Anyone who says, they don’t like to read novels in their genre because they want their ideas to be fresh, is either self-published, not selling, or irrelevant.
Surprising data: I recently attended a workshop where the speaker said that ninety percent of self-publishers sell less than 100 books. Astonishing, if that’s true. Don’t tell that to Amanda Hocking or Dan Poynter (may he rest in peace).
Exposure + Experience = Appreciation
Even after I became traditionally published, the tools I learned are everyday essentials. Even Michael Jordan had a coach. The greatest scientists in the world keep up with science journals and conferences.
Why? The world is ever-evolving, always-changing, and so are you!
Lastly, I set goals and verbally self-affirm them often. When I do my writing workshops, I have all of my attendees say the following out loud, sign, and promise to keep their copy somewhere they can be reminded daily of their own writing promissory.
G.O.A.L. Writing = Go On And Live Writing
“No means No-t Yet! Push, even when you don’t feel like it, write.”
—Ace Antonio Hall
“My goal is to sell everything I write.”
—Art Holcomb
“Every writer is just practicing until he/she writes a million words.
Even if they manage to get published, it’s all practice up to that point.”
–David Gerrold
“I READ to inhale, WRITE to exhale.”
–Mike Robinson
Commitment Statement
by Ace Antonio Hall
www.aantoniohall.com
***
I am an author.
I may have many talents, many creative gifts, but first and foremost, I am a writer.
Every experience I encounter will tap into the imaginings of my story. Every place I go has the potential to be the catalyst in building a world for my fictional settings.
I will eat, sleep and speak author-ese.
I commit to develop my craft by any means necessary—that may mean workshops, studying my reading with a highlighter ready to take notes, reading blogs, going to more writing events, and even investing in writing classes.
Writing is a lifetime learning experience.
Investing in my writing means pouring my passion into my growth, love and inner-harmony which will in return, enhance my fulfillment.
No more excuses.
I am focused. I am dedicated. I am writing.
I am an author.
________________________________________
Signature
Congratulations, you’ve just made an unbreakable promise to yourself. Writing is a lifestyle. It is time to Live It!
–Ace Antonio Hall
@aceantoniohall on Twitter
About the Author
Ace Antonio Hall is the author of the horror novel, Confessions of Sylva Slasher (Montag Press, April 2013). His short stories They, Raising Mary: Frankenstein, and Bated Breath have been awarded Honorable Mention for the Writers of the Future Awards 2013, 2014 and 2016. He published his short story Dead Chick Walking in Calliope Magazine Fall 2013 #141 and The Eldáling in their Spring 2016 issue #151.
In 2015-2016, Hall sold his short stories to be published with Weasel Press/The Haunted Traveler, Bride of Chaos/9 Tales, Pure Fantasy & Science Fiction, Vol. 4, Jitter/Prolific Press, Calliope Magazine, and Night to Dawn Magazine #29.
Hall is the former Vice President of the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society (2009-2011), and continues to head the Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror (ScHoFan) Critique Group as Co-Director of critique groups within the society. He is also a member of the Horror Writers Association, LASFS and the International Thriller Writers.
Ace Antonio Hall has spent the past few years working as a stand-in for various TV shows and films, mostly for the actors, Damon Wayans, Jr., Alfie Enoch and Pharell Williams for Happy Endings, How To Get Away With Murder and The Voice, respectively.
Hall received a BFA from Long Island University and taught English for more than a decade. He is a native New Yorker who now resides in Los Angeles, CA.
