Original posting 28 May 2009

Writers' Digest, October 2004, pages 26 to 33, has a collection of short "nuggets of wisdom" related to getting published. Maria Schneider is the author of the compilation. Take a deep breath, and here we go:

"Whatever you're working on, take small bites. Whatever you're working on should be the most exciting thing. The task won't be overwhelming if you can reduce it to its smallest component." Richard Russo

Hum -- I was going to say "the longest journey starts with a single step" then I decided I should check whose quote that is. Lao-tzu? Maybe... Anyway, before I manage to distract myself completely, break things into small pieces. You can eat the elephant one bite at a time?

If something seems too big, take a smaller piece. What can you do? Do that. Then take another look. Goliath doesn't seem so big now that you're up to his knees, eh?

Novels get written one word at a time. And I'll bet you can find one word, can't you? Write... now, what about one more word?