“Baby steps, get on a bus. Baby steps, walk down the aisle. Baby steps, sit down. Hello, I’m Bob. Would you knock me out, please? Just hit me in the face.”
If you haven’t seen What About Bob starring Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss — just stop reading (come back later, though!) and go watch it. Your funny bone will thank me.
I still feel a bit like that; somebody, please just knock me the f#$% out! This ride from teacher to author is wild, and taking this next step of writing blogs and putting myself in the public eye is scary. But regardless of whether you’re just beginning the writing process or a veteran far more experienced than I am, maybe, just maybe — I have something to give you, even just encouragement or one small tip.
When I started the cross-categorical Special Education program at ASU, we were required to observe a variety of classrooms. Eventually, we chose a mentor teacher and observed them on a semi-regular basis. Lastly, we had an entire semester of student teaching. That began with submerging ourselves in that classroom daily. We’d watch and learn, getting to know the students and helping however possible. Eventually, we were co-teaching, attending IEP and staff meetings, and then thrown full in by planning and leading our own lessons all day, every day. It was rigorous and, at times, felt like drinking from a fire hydrant, but it prepared us well for the job!
Four years ago, when I found an exercise class I loved, I started by going twice a week — only when “The Lumberjack” was not working and he could watch our kids. Once my oldest was in kindergarten, I could go three times per week. Then in 2020, when our world was turned upside down, and Livestream classes became a thing — I made the commitment (reorganized my office furniture and bought a cute but pricey yoga mat I loved with an elephant on it) and worked out as often as possible, probably 4-5 times. I kept my sanity and burned off some calories from the hard seltzers we were all guzzling down. Today, I call the people at Barre3 my family, and I’m there every single day. Can’t imagine my life without it.
With both of these examples, I eased my way in… nice and slow, just like getting into a pool. Even in the warmest of Phoenix pools, it baffles and impresses me to watch people just jump right in! With writing, it was no different… and yet, it was utterly different. I eased in, yes, but it was private. I mean, no one ever criticized me for going into the world of teaching; I was praised and felt proud going into Special Education. And what person wouldn’t cheer on a friend for finding an exercise routine and staying healthier?! But… want to write a novel? Good luck, Janie, don’t quit your day job…
There was something terrifying about it all, and if I’m being perfectly honest… embarrassing? I was reticent, for sure. Attempting something new as an adult and something in the arts — that chances are won’t generate much, if any, income — it’s not exactly given praise in our society. I mean, I’m middle-aged. I’m busy trying to raise decent human beings, saving for retirement, and desperately trying to figure out how to save on ever-increasing grocery costs. Just the thought was intimidating — hell, it STILL IS, but I am so thankful I took that very first baby step.
Maybe you’re the type to dive right into that chilly water, but if you’re anything like me, and need some of those baby-stepping tools, let’s take a look at my favorite one.
• Sink or swim — don’t drown; set yourself up to swim. Let’s not go and compare ourselves to the great Stephen King, who’s been writing for a million years and is the king of his craft. That’d be a really stupid thing to do. When you read his book, On Writing, you’ll discover he writes every single day — even Christmas and his birthday. Sound daunting? Damn straight it does! I am a gigantic fan of that book. I first read it on a flight and kept bugging The Lumberjack the entire time. I’d nudge him and say, “See, he does that, too!” I personally feel as though Mr. King’s book is as much about his life, his passion for writing and his process as it is about his love and appreciation for his wife. That’s another topic, and I’ll redirect us now… I highly recommend that you hold off on reading that particular book (just a bit until you have your feet wet, then jump in. It’s brilliant!) and start with these two instead.
• I read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron back in 2017, and it was nothing short of life-changing. There’s a good chance you’ve heard of this book or read it already, and if so, that’s wonderful. Go pick it back up and go through it once more. If you haven’t, this book has sold millions of copies and was written to help teach people techniques and exercises to gain self-confidence and harness their creativity. Artist or not, this is an excellent read for anyone human… yeah, that’s you. Go grab a copy. In my opinion, it’ll make you a stronger and better parent, friend, and self. Ms. Cameron, thank you for writing your many, many books. After reading only the Introduction of The Artist’s Way, I was sure you could be my soul sister.
• Whether you’re venturing into the writing world or you’ve been in it a while, I highly recommend studying Around the Writer’s Block by Rosanne Bane. I owned this one for probably a year before reading it, and for me, at the perfect time. Only one person, my VBF, knew I had been trying to write. I was lost, overwhelmed, and drowning — swirling down the drain toward defeat as self-doubt dug its claws in. This book is brilliant, and it helped me to set those realistic goals. To swim, not sink. As the cover indicates, it discusses “Using BRAIN SCIENCE to Solve Writer’s Resistance, including Writer’s Block, Procrastination, Paralysis, Perfectionism, Postponing, Distractions, Self-Sabotage, Excessive Criticism, Overscheduling, and Endlessly Delaying Your Writing.” I gained much-needed strength and skill from her ideas. Thank you, Rosanne, for your wisdom and knowledge of our fascinating brains!
Over time, I created patterns and attainable goals for myself. I started out committing to at least twenty minutes of writing 5 days a week. I often squeezed it in at school pick-up lines, soccer practices, or rising at 5 am or earlier to make sure I stuck to the promise I made to myself.
Now, I write every single day and have goals tailored more to word count or tasks (such as revising, researching, etc.). I can’t imagine it any other way… But it took baby steps to get here. I value each one of those steps I took to reach where I am, and oh lordy, do I know I’m still at the tip of the iceberg. I have millions of steps remaining until I reach my publishing and career goals, but I’m here to share each stride with you — and that feels amazing. Even on days I’m convinced this journey will end in failure, I can still feel proud.
And so can you.
I’ll happily be the broken record — there is NO right way to write. You find what works for you. Authors, parents — all people can burn out when we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves. Don’t end up with a blank page simply because you’re comparing yourself to others.
Just like Bob Wylie said, “All I have to do is take one little step at a time, and I can do anything.”
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Despite being tone-deaf, music is a huge part of my daily life. I’m including just a few of my current jams… These are songs that I LIKE. Something about the beat, rhythm, or melody just makes me play it on repeat over and OVER, louder and LOUDER. I’m not making any type of statement by choosing these; in fact, I didn’t really choose them—they just grabbed me. They make me MOVE, connect with my creativity, or just make me sing at the top of my off-key lungs!! And I’m sharing them with you for no other purpose than that—sharing a piece of myself. Enjoy 🙂
•Faded – ODESZA Remix by ZHU, ODESZA
•Be Kind (with Halsey) [Jacques Lu Cont Remix] by Marshmello, Halsey, Jacques Lu Cont
•THE LONELIEST by Maneskin
•Cold by Chris Stapleton
•OUT OF MY MIND by little image
•Haunted Heart by Christina Aguilera
•Adrenaline by X Ambassadors
Contact
janie.m.kurtz@gmail.com