Tag: persistence

Acceptance

The last piece in this trio of blog posts is about acceptance. It’s a skill as much as learning to maintain your focus. It takes practice. But it falls somewhere between the empirical and emotional partnering of focus and determination. It’s about learning to be at peace.

Lantern Sunset

This is a skill I need to spend more time on. Because time is one of the biggest factors that’s outside of my control—outside of all our control. It will progress at the same pace, whether I’m writing or not, whether I’m exercising or meditating, or doing any of the things I need to do to be the best, fully realized version of myself. The me I was born to become. Continue reading “Acceptance” →

AuthorLeave a comment

Determination

Last week, I talked about an important writing skill—focus, as the mental discipline needed to keep yourself writing and to stay on track with your story. If focus is the practice or technique, determination is the fuel. Focus helps you stay on the path. Determination keeps you moving. I’m always thinking in terms of writing, but this can apply to any goal or dream you have.

You are ready.

I think the most important question to ask yourself when pursuing any dream or goal is: how bad do you want it? Whatever your dream is, what are you willing to give to make it a reality?

The answer will be different for everyone, but it will give you a clue about how much you want to accomplish your goal. Continue reading “Determination” →

AuthorLeave a comment

Focus

Summer Sentinel

Having natural talent helps when you want to be a writer. Reading, studying, learning about the craft—that helps too. Practicing is the absolute best thing you can do to improve your skill level. You also need self-mastery. If you can’t get yourself to sit down to write, you can’t write anything! But is getting into the chair really enough?

I’ve spent more time in my writer’s chair than I care to admit doodling, daydreaming, making to-do lists, and having my mind wander around topics that had nothing to do with what I was supposed to be writing. It took time and effort to build my ability to focus on each story. I also had to figure out what I needed to support that level of concentration while writing.

Continue reading “Focus” →

Author2 Comments

Pressure

KiteI put myself under a lot of pressure. People have pointed this out to me my entire life. It used to always be a warning—I was about to crush myself, and they wanted me to ease up to avoid it. I didn’t usually listen, and often ended up running myself into the ground.

As I’ve gained more experience, I’ve started understanding where to draw the line. It’s hard for me not to run full-tilt until whatever project I’m working on is completed. Yard work, home improvements, learning a new song, finishing a scarf, etc.

I still run myself into the ground sometimes, but those occurrences are the exception now. The fundamental change in how I operate came to me through my writing.

You can’t sit down and write an 80,000 word novel in a day. Or even two days or three. Continue reading “Pressure” →

Author1 Comment

Moving Forward, Looking Back

This week marks an important milestone in my writing career. Tomorrow, July 7, it will have been one year since my first book, Wandering Soul, was published 🙂

Wandering Soul by Cassandra Chandler

I adore this book, and have been wanting to go back and read it again—to visit the characters and world of The Summer Park Psychics. The urge is strong, especially with the release of Lingering Touch less than a month away! There’s so much to do going forward, but what I really need to do right now is take a moment (or a blog post) to reflect Continue reading “Moving Forward, Looking Back” →

Author2 Comments

The Strong Sun Moon

Today is triply blessed for me. It’s the Summer Solstice and the full moon for June—the Strong Sun Moon. And also, today is the release day for my latest scifi novella (which is not at all a coincidence 😉 ).

Solstice Flowers

It’s a good time to take stock of the last year, and after reading my post for last year’s June full moon, I’m amazed, humbled, and grateful for all the wonderful progress in my writing career.

One of the best parts of being a hybrid author is that I can pick the release dates for my Indie works. I knew I wanted Business or Pleasure to come out in June. When I checked the calendar and saw that the full moon fell on the Summer Solstice, I knew I had to pick today as my release date.

The Summer Solstice marks when the day is longest and the sun is at full strength. And tonight’s full moon is the Strong Sun Moon. So much solar energy! Continue reading “The Strong Sun Moon” →

AuthorLeave a comment