Category: Labor

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Out of Shape!

Carol and I had been in California for several months while I was helping a church through a major change. During that time, although I did walk an average of 2 miles per day, I did very little other exercise. Arriving home, I had the satisfaction of helping a church and many folks who were associated with it, but I was not satisfied with myself.

I was physically out of shape.

What was worse, I found that I didn’t want to put out the effort to get back into my pre-trip routine. But willpower and diligence are winning the battle. I can now play a couple of games of racquetball with our 42-year-old son without suffering exhaustion.

The same kind of problem develops when we get out of our writing routine. We lose our edge, our creativity diminishes, and we may become emotionally exhausted as we attempt to get back into shape. But willpower and diligence can help us. And YES! It takes both.

If you’re trying to get back into your writing routine, start with a couple of short stories. Don’t plan on publishing them, just write for the practice. Who knows … they might turn out to be more than you imagined and could be your next books.

So be sure to …

Write Creatively.

By the way, I should tell you: Michael still beats me in racquetball, but we have a grand time! One time he hit the ball so hard that it blew out like an exploding tire!

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What do You Do?

What do you do when you realize that you haven’t kept up on your writing? I just now asked myself that question because with what I’ve got going in life, I realized that I haven’t written a blog since May 8. Let’s see now … that’s 12 days ago!

Should I feel ashamed of myself? Only if I was just goofing around and wasting all my time – which I definitely was not.

So, what do you do? Don’t peak around the corner and wonder who noticed your lack of progress. Do the same thing I’m doing right now: just start writing again. Don’t get in a hurry and try to make up for lost time. Just start writing, and enjoy the process.

And while you’re at it …

Write Creatively.

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Inspiration Happens in the Most Unusual Ways

I was sitting in my office in Lemon Grove, California, looking out the window. I was waiting for the next person I was going to interview, and watching for the next trolley to rush past. I had about 10 minutes and was also wondering what my next article would be about.

About that time, the trolley came barreling past. If they don’t stop for passengers, they are going 45-50 miles per hour here. During the weekend, only 2 cars run in tandem, but during the week, 3 cars run together. I walked outside to take this photo.

I began wondering about which one is either pulling or pushing, but then I observed the power system. Each car was receiving its own power from the electric cables above the cars. I suddenly realized that each car – the 3 of them connected together – was pulling its own load. And I had to write about it!

I tell you, inspiration happens in the most unusual ways and at the most interesting times. Always try to be alert as you go about your day, and capture those fleeting thoughts, those inspirations that rush by like the trolley cars.

Even though connected together, each car was pulling its own load. That reminded me about writers. We read each other’s work; we learn from each other; we often help each other. But each of us must carry our own load. We must do our own work.

So, as you write, be open to suggestions and receive criticism without complaining. Critics can be our best friends. But keep writing. Keep working. Carry your own load. Enjoy the thrill that comes when you finish that article, that manuscript, that book! And always be sure to …

Write Creatively.

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Resistance Slows Us Down

We’re on our way to Southern California where we’ll spend two months teaching and helping others. Our 2017 Yukon gets up to 25 mpg on the open road, but when pulling an RV, our mileage usually drops to 10-14. It depends on the conditions. But this trip was different.

From western Oklahoma, through the Texas panhandle, and into New Mexico, we hit a powerful headwind that took our mileage down to 9 mpg. In some areas, we encountered a powerful crosswind that blew one large truck off the highway and rolled it onto its side.

Wind is often a powerful resistance, and we have to adjust our driving habits to assure that we drive safely. But other situations present other types of hindrances.

Unexpected obligations and responsibilities are other types of resistances. This trip is one of them. As mentioned above, I am traveling now and will be busy teaching and mentoring for two months, and that will require some of the time I have invested in writing these blogs.

You may have noticed that I’ve missed several days already. Therefore, until the middle of July, I will probably write 2 blogs a week rather than my usual 5.

You writers and authors also encounter resistances in your writing. Yes, you are also slowed down at times, but don’t allow the hindrances to stop you completely, and don’t become discouraged.

Fulfill your obligations and meet your responsibilities. But do continue to set time aside to continue your writing, and when you do, make sure you …

Write Creatively.

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Enjoy the Process, or Enjoy the Book?

I’ve known George (not his real name) for more than 10 years. He is bright, intelligent, and is successful in completing projects … when he wants to complete them. He’s written a weekly blog for over 15 years, and I learned that he has often mentioned to others that he would like to publish them in a book.

One day several years ago, I suggested that he select about 125 of the blogs, edit them, send them to a publisher, and get his book done. That’s when I learned he was a devoted procrastinator. However, George didn’t think it was procrastination; he thought he was spending time perfecting each article. The truth was, he enjoyed the process of writing.

After 13 more months with no progress to show, he finally got tired of his own waiting game and asked me if I would format and publish his book. I was glad to help.

Our editor completed her part within 3 days, and George could not believe his ears when, 5 days later, I told him the book was uploaded and ready to order.

After receiving a box of 20 of his books, he discovered the joy of holding them in his hands and making them available to his friends. His family told me he was thrilled with the product.

Dear reader, have you discovered the joy of being a published author, or are you still enjoying the process stage? Or have you started your manuscript? We at P & L Publishing and Literary Services are available to assist. Contact us by phone or by email on our Get in Touch page. We look forward to hearing from you.

By the way, Happy Leap Day, and don’t forget to …

Write Creatively.

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A Reminder about the Special Offer

P&L Publishing and Literary Services is offering a $100 discount as a Valentine’s Day special.

If you are writing a book – or are ready to publish one – contact us on our “Get In Touch” or contact page and tell us you read this blog. You’ll be surprised at how little it costs and how quickly we can publish your book. Contact us on or before Leap Day (February 29, 2024) to receive this offer.

This little guy is effectively communicating with its friend. In like manner, share this blog with your friends. They might be glad you did.

Write Creatively

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I’m Going to Write a Book …

Do you hear people saying that? Are you saying it?

If “yes” is the answer in either question, what does it mean? I’ll tell you. It means the book isn’t being written. And in many situations, it won’t be written for some time. In order to write a book, the proposed author must decide to get moving. For example …

An airplane, be it propeller-driven or jet powered, can sit on the runway for years and never fly if it doesn’t move. And if it does move, it must reach a critical speed related to it’s type and weight to lift off the ground. (Note: I am not referring to anyone’s size or weight.)

A watercraft, be it a kayak or a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, has a critical speed for the rudder to take effect. If the craft moves, but hasn’t reached its critical speed, the helmsman can turn the rudder all he wants to, but the boat or ship will not turn.

Writing a blog or book is similar: we can talk about it all we want to, but if we don’t get moving, it will not get written. And if we do move, we must “reach that critical speed” to see our situation change.

So, what are you going do? Change your thinking and you will change your activity. Then you can say, “I’m writing a book.” And then …

Write Creatively