Tina Haapala, Excuse Editor

Photo from Flickr by  eekim What is the ratio of time you've spent writing compared to the time spent preparing to write (for example-- reading, reading about writing, taking classes about writing, talking to people about writing, etc.)? Preparing is great and necessary, but it does not replace the act of doing--similar to many things that get us where we want to go. Today's Excuse : I want to kick the tires and check under the hood of this writing thing for a good long time, so I can cruise along effortlessly once I get started. Excuse Edit: You need to get in the driver's seat No matter how many games of Pole Position you've played, getting behind the wheel of a real car is completely different. The same is true if you have only been in "simulation mode" with your writing, for example, imagining the cover art of the novel you haven't written yet or scribbling ideas for scenes but never fleshing them out. These are virtual acts. Shifting i...

Image: Francesco Marino / FreeDigitalPhotos.net The Writer's Life is sometimes glorified and envied by those who don't have the drive to write, or who wouldn't even consider it because they feel they are lacking some mystical factor that would allow them entry into the Writing World. Those who do venture in with unrealistic expectations (ie. "I so identify with Carrie Bradshaw --I could be a rich writer just like her! ") are likely to come face to face with a " War and Peace "-sized hit of reality. Instead of setting yourself up for failure, be aware of what it takes to be a Writer with a capital W. Here are some of the (possibly not-so-pleasant, depending on your attitude) truths about the writing life you should prepare for.   Writing is Work, A Lot of Work I hope you are one of those writers that has copious words dripping of your fingertips and onto the awaiting screen so fast you can't keep up. If you are not, then you have the challeng...