Some writers are so modest that it’s crippling them. Especially British writers, I’ve noticed, although not exclusively. Somebody asks, “What are you writing?” and they blush and mutter, “Well, it’s sort of a novel, assuming I finish it, ha ha, it’s just a little story that….er….Would you care for some tea?”
That attitude leads to writing slowly and makes it easy to stop.
Listen, I’m not suggesting that you go to the opposite extreme of which some American are fond: outright boasting. “I’m writing the next great American novel! It’s going to blow people’s minds, make a hell of a film, and I’ve got a range of merchandise planned!”
I’ve suffered more from the former than the latter myself, maybe that’s why I feel so at home here in London.
Somewhere in the middle of those is the ideal. You don’t have to gush, but if you speak with confidence and enthusiasm about what you’re doing, it will also motivate you and keep you working at a good speed. You don’t have to reveal plot details or anything else you don’t want to, but at least declare with confidence that you’re a writer. If they ask, as many will, “anything I’ve read?” you can say, “Not yet.” If that makes the conversation short, so much the better--more time for writing!
(When I couldn't find a good right-brain oriented book about time management I wrote one. You can get it from Amazon and other online and offline book sellers. It's called "Focus: use the power of targeted thinking to get more done.")
