Just Do It!

 

By Larry Leech

 

I love, love, love those three words … just do it.

While the slogan was first introduced by a world-renowned apparel and sports equipment company to motivate millions of people to get off their butts and take action, writers can tap into the idea of Just Do It as well. 

For us, what does that mean? Let us count the ways, or at least a few.

First, read. Writers gotta read. We just do. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. If we want to write well, we need to read.

Second, write. We don’t always have to write on a story or message that has been on our heart. We can write blogs, short stories, devos. Something. Anything. If we don’t write, that writing muscle in our brain will get weak. So … write.

Third, connect. Publishing “all by me onesies,” to quote Jack Sparrow, is not a good publishing plan. We need the connection with other writers to stay motivated, to receive and give encouragement, and to learn from experts. Multiple communities exist online and in-person. We must find the one that best fits our personality and schedule.

Fourth, and the last one for this blog, attend. Conference season starts this week with the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. All told, the inspirational market has forty-five conferences to choose from. Pick one and attend. Could be a small one, such as the Carolina Christian Writers Conference or Blue Lake Christian writers conference, or two of our biggies—Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference or Write to Publish. First-timers should start small to avoid getting overwhelmed.

These are just four situations in which a writer could apply Just Do It. There are others, and each of us could personalize our own list. One person might end up with four or five more items on their list. Someone else might add ten. Or twenty.

However many we include on our list, we need to make sure we Just Do It to the best of our ability. No excuses.

Just Do It.

Photo by Wang Sheeran on Unsplash

Larry J. Leech II has been in publishing for nearly 45 years—as a sportswriter and news management at daily newspapers for 23 years before becoming a writing coach of award-winning authors, ghostwriter, and editor in the Christian market. Also, for two decades Larry has taught at numerous general market and inspirational conferences nationwide. He currently is Master Book Coach and Acquisitions Editor for Illumify Media.