It's All About Discipline by Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans

My writing time—those moments when I can sit in front of my computer and completely lose myself in my characters my stories—is limited.

Only by acts of supreme discipline, by making sure I commit even a small part of my day—every day—to my craft have I been able to keep moving forward as an author. There are no tricks. No secrets to share. All I have is this, and it’s truth: Long-term writing requires discipline. 

If you find yourself in the same boat as me, keep three words in mind: Sit, plot, type. 

Some of what you produce will be garbage. Some of what you produce will be beautiful, and take you (and maybe even your story) by complete surprise. But at the end of the day, in order to succeed, you have to log the word count. You have to commit yourself to task of sticking to your scheduled writing time even if you’re exhausted, even if that blinking cursor just keeps blinking at you. Push forward, even if you write no more than a few words, a few scene ideas, a few plot twists. 

Also, don’t limit yourself. If you’re trying to write chapter 3, but developments in chapter 5 are calling, write chapter 5. Don’t waste precious time agonizing. Write the scene that’s living in your heart and mind, then save it to be inserted later. Or, outline that plot twist and save it. When I create, I write fresh, and then re-read it the next day when I continue my story. This gives me an opportunity to polish and tweak, to add layers. I review again and again as my story grows, so I don’t hang myself up on writing perfectly the first time. Round one? I simply want to write from the heart. 

The holidays are coming, and there is so much for which to be thankful, so many blessings to rejoice in and to share. As an author, try to remain dedicated to the stories you have to tell. Guard your time as best you can, and keep pushing forward. It’s all about the discipline. 

Until next month friends—be thankful, share richly, and be blessed!

~~~~~

Dustin Farrell is expected to succeed. He’s gifted with the means and ability to take the world of business development by storm…and he’s doing just that, right on plan. 

As Christmas approaches, he’s called home, to Hope Creek, Tennessee. He’s been given a slam-dunk objective from his investors: Take a small, local art shop and expand it into the retail mainstream. 

Lillianna Bennett, Dustin’s former high school classmate, is part owner of Purple Door Art Market. Long ago, her shy sweetness captured his imagination, but nothing came of the affectionate flame between them. 

Until a reunion at Christmas Inn. Dustin presents his offer, realizing the wallflower of his youth has bloomed into a confident, talented woman with the kind of free-spirited heart for which he always longed. And he wonders: Is a life of expectation, and ‘more’ what he really wants? Will his professional quest end up compromising Lillianna if her gifts and business become part of a wider view? 

Most of all, will love be lovelier...the second time around?

~~~~~

Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create. Readers laude her work as “Riveting,” “Realistic and true to heart,” “Compelling.” 

Her Christian fiction debut, Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence Award. Her follow-up novel, Forgiveness, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year honors as did her book Hearts Communion. She is also a two-time recipient of the Selah Award for her books Then & Now and Finding Home. 

Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. You can connect with Marianne at www.marianneevans.com.