Using The Right PDA
When we think of writing it triggers many thoughts and visions
depending on our framing. It could trigger a lone man with a
full astray, unshaven, staring at an old plunking typewriter
with white blank crisp paper waiting in anticipation for his
words.
If a mother or younger, it could conjure up an image of a
30-something woman typing away on a keyboard with an apron on,
in between making formulas or getting ready for work, still dark
outside. Pounding on the keys because the flow is there, just as
the light from the window begins to change, trying to get as
much onto the page before the kids need her attention.
If you grew up in a Catholic school in the 50s, writing could
mean perfect penmanship and a rap on the knuckles if you didn't.
The times have changed, thank goodness, and now children grow up
with memories of learning to cluster and freewrite. To allow
whatever needs to flow appear onto the page. There are more
books than ever on creativity, and how to play and embrace the
craft new everyday. It is a freeing time for writers.
Yet, three principles prevail no matter what your association to
the meaning of writer appears. They are PDA, for short. No, not
the PDA you carry around in your pocket. But the PDA a writer
needs to carry around in the heart.
P=patience D=discipline A=action
The patience to allow our writing to mature with practice. To
push just enough to keep us uncomfortable yet still allow us to
keep trying.
The discipline to sit still long enough to get it started and
completed. The discipline to keep picking up the pen, putting
another sheet of paper in the printer, or buying new keyboards
because the last one certain keys just plain gave out.
Action to keep the vision and dream alive for one more time, one
more word, one more story, one more meaning.
Remember, the next time you want to write more or write better.
Don't pull out your PDA from your pocket, but pull out the ones
that really count from your heart. The ones that truly affect
your ass(ets), patience, discipline, and creative action.