In a recent episode of the "Confident You" podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of welcoming April Dávila to the show. April is an award-winning author, speaker, and writing coach, to discuss the intricacies of the writing journey. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for aspiring writers, offering practical advice and inspiration to help navigate the often challenging path to becoming an author. Here, we break down the key themes and tips from the episode, providing a comprehensive guide for writers at any stage of their journey.
The Writing Journey: Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Growth
1. Understanding the Writing Process
April Dávila's journey to becoming a writer is both inspiring and instructive. Initially, she viewed authors as distant figures, not realizing that writing could be a viable career path. Despite earning a degree in biology and working as a scientist, her passion for writing persisted. It wasn't until she was pregnant with her daughter that she began to explore writing more seriously, ultimately enrolling in a master's program in writing at USC.
Key Takeaways:
Pursue Your Passion: Even if your current career path seems unrelated to writing, it's never too late to pursue your passion.
Formal Education: Consider enrolling in writing programs or workshops to hone your skills and gain confidence.
2. The Importance of Mentorship and Coaching
One of the central themes of the episode is the importance of mentorship and coaching in the writing process. April emphasizes that if she had sought guidance earlier, she could have saved herself significant time and effort. She encourages aspiring writers to invest in themselves by hiring a coach, as this can provide valuable support and accountability.
Actionable Advice:
Seek a Mentor: Find a mentor or coach who can provide guidance, feedback, and encouragement.
Invest in Yourself: Consider the cost of coaching as an investment in your writing career.
3. Creating a Writing Routine
April describes her daily writing routine, which includes dedicating time in the mornings to her own writing before transitioning to coaching other writers in the afternoons. She highlights the significance of community and accountability in the writing process, noting that having someone check in on your progress can make a substantial difference.
Tips for Establishing a Routine:
Set Specific Hours: Dedicate specific hours each day to writing, even if it's just a short period.
Join a Writing Community: Engage with a writing community for support and accountability.
4. Overcoming Writer's Block
April passionately argues against the notion of writer's block, suggesting that it is a mental barrier that can be dismantled. To help others overcome this challenge, she mentions a free resource available on her website called "Banish Writer's Block Forever." This 20-minute video aims to empower writers by providing strategies to break free from the constraints of writer's block.
Strategies to Overcome Writer's Block:
Mindfulness Practices: Incorporate meditation or mindfulness practices to help manage distractions and self-doubt.
Utilize Resources: Take advantage of free resources and tools designed to help overcome writer's block.
5. Balancing Writing with Other Responsibilities
Both the host and April share humorous anecdotes about their gardening experiences, illustrating the challenges and joys of nurturing plants. April expresses her love for gardening but admits that her passion for writing often takes precedence, leading to neglect in her garden. I can connect to this sentiment, sharing my own struggles with maintaining a garden while balancing a busy life.
Balancing Tips:
Prioritize Your Passions: Recognize that it's okay to prioritize your writing over other hobbies or responsibilities at times.
Time Management: Develop effective time management strategies to balance writing with other aspects of life.
6. The Value of Community and Accountability
April highlights the significance of community and accountability in the writing process. She describes her recent experience hosting a writing retreat, where participants enjoyed a supportive environment to focus on their writing while also engaging in discussions about their work.
Building a Supportive Community:
Join Writing Groups: Participate in writing groups or retreats to connect with other writers and gain feedback.
Accountability Partners: Find an accountability partner to check in on your progress and keep you motivated.
7. Embracing the Messiness of the First Draft
April emphasizes the importance of getting ideas down on the page without worrying about perfection. She encourages writers to embrace the messiness of the first draft, as it can always be refined later. We both encouraged listeners to value progress over perfection.
First Draft Tips:
Write Freely: Allow yourself to write freely without self-editing during the first draft.
Focus on Progress: Concentrate on making progress rather than achieving perfection in the initial stages.
Pursue Your Writing Dreams with Confidence
This episode with April reminded me—and I hope reminded all of you—that writing is a deeply personal and rewarding process. An inspiring reminder that writing is a journey filled with challenges, but with the right support and mindset, anyone can bring their stories to life. April Dávila's insights and practical advice provide a valuable roadmap for aspiring writers, encouraging them to pursue their dreams with confidence and seek out the support they need to thrive.
Check Out Resources: Visit April Dávila's website to access the "Banish Writer's Block Forever" video and subscribe to her newsletter, "The Scribbling Buddha."
Join a Community: Consider joining a writing community or finding a mentor to support your writing journey.
Start Writing: Take the first step in your writing journey by getting your ideas down on the page and embracing the process.
By following these tips and embracing the journey, aspiring writers can overcome obstacles, find their voice, and achieve their writing goals.
April Dávila is an award-winning author, speaker, and writing coach. Publisher's Weekly called her debut novel, 142 Ostriches, a "vivid, uplifting debut" and the book went on to win the WILLA Award for Women Writing the West. Writer's Digest listed her blog (at aprildavila.com) as one of the Best 101 Websites for Writers and she is the creator of the Sit Write Here writing coaching program, which integrates mindfulness meditation techniques to help writers quiet their inner critics, overcome writer's block, and edit more effectively. She has taught at conferences and workshops online and in person in both the US and Mexico. She is a practicing Buddhist, a half-hearted gardener, and occasional runner. Her second novel is forthcoming.
Connect with April here:
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