Spring into Writing with Michelle Roper

Please welcome our guest, Michelle Roper.


Spring into Writing
It’s spring. Daffodils are blooming and awakening from their winter’s slumber. Each year, I look forward to my first sighting of the friendly yellow blossom because it means warm weather, flowers, and green trees are right around the corner. It feels great to inhale fresh air after a long winter stuck inside. It’s also a good time to take stock of my life and where I’m at this point in the year. A lot of times I find myself shaking my head and saying to anyone who will listen, “I can’t believe it’s March, already.”

I know at the beginning of the year I have a long list of New Year’s Resolutions. Usually, I have a ton of writing goals, and I’m sure most of you do, too. They usually come in many different varieties and intentions like seeds in a garden catalogue. Maybe some of these examples are on your list.

Finish the first draft of a new book.

Write every day.

Edit the book I wrote for Nanowrimo.

Finish the synopsis for the contest.

Send out a partial.

It doesn’t matter the goal, now is the time to take stock because when December rolls around, you want to look back and say I did it. I did reach my goal, and I am further along in my writing career. I stay focused.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Nice words you’re thinking, but I have other responsibilities. I know. I know.

Here’s a sample list of excuses for not writing. Recognize yours?

I don’t have time to write.

I’m busy with my kids.

It’s been a month since I’ve written because I’ve been working on a project for work.

The contest deadline has passed.

I have made all those excuses at one time or another. That’s why it’s important to have check points.

That’s why seeing the first daffodil is important to me. Time to take stock.

One thing I’ve learned along the way in my writing journey is that you have to check in with your writing every day. Here’s what I do to help me keep focused.

I write in my journal ever morning. A lot of times I start solving problems in my manuscript.

When I make my to-do list—I write what I want to accomplish on my writing. Vacuum. Write three pages. Dog needs walking. Etc.

Write deadlines and contest entry deadlines on your calendar right along with doctor and dental appointments. This way the family is aware of the writing schedule, too.

I keep a sticky note with my writing goals on my computer.

Sit butt in chair and write.

Basically, we have to take action and stay focused on our writing goals each and every day even in the whirlpool craziness of everyday life. A new season means new beginnings, and it’s time to take our New Year writing goals and resolutions and make them happen. Find a daffodil and let it be a visual reminder of your writing and what you want to accomplish.


Michelle Roper co-writes with Berta Platas under the pseudonym of Gillian Summers. As Gillian, they write about the adventures of Keelie Heartwood, starting with the Faire Folk Trilogy. Keelie’s story continues in the SHADOWS OF THE REDWOOD, the first book in the Scions of Shadow trilogy which will be released on June 1st, 2010.

When not writing about Keelie and her mischievous feline companion, Knot, Michelle is busy walking her two Siberian Huskies, Arwen and Raven and seeking their input on plotting, characterization, and world building.