A writer who is serious about embarking upon a publishing career under-stands
commitment is critical for success. Adhering to a schedule and making provisions
to learn the craft and apply diligent work is essential. But what happens when
determination, goal setting, isolation, and priori-ties are misconstrued? The
writerโs health, relationships, spirituality, and quality of writing suffers.
The brutal outcome is commitment becomes an obsession and the writer races down
a dead end road. Being labeled CTO (Commitment Turned to Obsession) is not on
the top list of writer attributes. The symp-toms can sneak up on us, and before
we realize it, the disease reaches a full blown epidemic damaging our bodies and
souls. So how can we diagnose the dreadful disease of putting our writing first
in our lives?
Listed below are ways we can easily spiral downhill. If any of these twists at
your heart, perhaps the suggestions following it will steer you back on the
right road.
How Commitment Leads to Obsession
1. Determination is a noble characteristic of any person who makes a
decision to accomplish a goal. Determination tumbles downhill when it controls
our thoughts, and we can no longer concentrate or have an interest in anything
else in our lives.
2. Goal setting is the detailed planning of how weโll accomplish our
dreams and aspirations. We slowly climb the steps, which are rungs on the ladder
of success. Nothing can be skipped or eliminated; all are vital to attain
satisfaction. Goal setting that is unrealistic or unat-tainable hovers over our
lives like a dark, menacing cloud. Hints of doubt and shame creep in as though
we arenโt good enough or smart enough to reach an expectation.
3. Isolation is admirable to work through knowledge, to study, and
achieve a level of understanding. Learning how to write and establish-ing
insight into marketing and promotion is usually a solo affair. But if we spend
all our days behind a closed door, what happens to our other responsibilities?
4. Priorities are essential to provide significance and security to
every-thing we do. Priorities help us envision our purpose while living a bal-
anced emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual life. When a priority shuts out
our loved ones and threatens our health and sanity, we are no longer a valuable
asset to others or ourselves.
Good News!
1. Recognizing a symptom of CTO is the first step!
2. Spend time in meditation about your problem.
3. Talk to a trusted friend or family member about your desire to be
healthy in every sense of the word while striving to become a pub-lished writer.
4. Take a deep breath! Your desire to be successful is a good thing. You
have a wonderful gift. And youโve been equipped with tools and a means to reach
your goals with determination, goal setting, isolation, and priorities.
Crossing CTO off your list of writer characteristics can be done. It might take
time and patience on your part and help from others. But you can be successful
and productive writer.
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should
expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable
plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy
Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational
Readersโ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a
Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for
Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the
2015 president of the Romance Writers of Americaโs Faith, Hope, & Love chapter;
a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International
Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops
around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the
social media platforms listed at her website.
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Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial
killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?
That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her
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