Photo Tuesday - Losing Focus

As authors, there's so many ways we can lose focus.

We can lose focus as we are writing. What began as a great idea suddenly becomes fuzzy.
Perhaps we did not outline a clear path.
Maybe the concept lost steam.
At some point, we'll need to make a decision - go back and redesign the the storyline, set it aside for the time being, or scrap it completely.

A completed project can lack focus.
We discover during the editing phase that things are not clear.
We might be trying to include too many characters or subplots.

Our writing might meander in too many directions.
If our book lacks focus, readers will give up and surrender.
We will need to tighten up our work, possibly relying on test readers to point out the problem areas.

Our initial reason for writing can lose focus.
What began as a passion becomes routine and dull.
Our enthusiasm wanes and we forget what we were trying to accomplish.
The daily grind and endless demands on our time can eat away at our purpose.
We need to return to that spark, to that moment of child-like wonder and rekindle our excitement.

Our future path loses clarity.
Rejection wears on our desire to continue.
Even success causes us to wonder how we will repeat that moment.
We feel as if we are struggling to move forward and our path is blocked.
We grow weary and start to retreat.

This is where the power of friendship comes in. This is where a suuport team of fans, friends, and cheerleaders help us to find our path again. It's the community of those blazing their own trail that encourage us to set new goals and keep moving forward. These very people can help us at every stage, regardless of where we've lost our focus.

I believe in this power!

And where I'm at in my life right now, I am really counting on it, too.

BTW - I'm on the road all day today. Seminar this morning, speaking engagement this evening. The highlight will be the time in between the two events, as I will spend a few hours with my mentor, author p.m. terrell. I will really need that boost, too!