Writing can sometimes be a lot like training a rambunctious puppy. Your willpower will flounder, distractions abound, and sometimes the energy is just too high to concentrate. The process can be slow; it requires constant vigilance and continued practice. Elements that set the groundwork must be maintained, consistently, for the rest of your writing career.

When I was a teenager my mother thought it would be important to strengthen my self-confidence by putting me in charge of training the family dog. Toby and I enrolled in obedience classes and became the best of friends. My confidence grew and along with it, my interest in animals and the structured processes involved in teaching.

Over the years, young Toby grew into older Toby. Despite having been a visitor, not the head of his pack, our bond remains. I’ve taken on the full time care of Toby in our new home and it is good to see much of the groundwork, laid so long ago, remains as a foundation on which to rebuild.

The First Lesson: Toby, Sit!

The first lesson young puppies learn is to sit on command. Their emotions are high and, surrounded by other young dogs, their excitement is set to burst. Sit is the command that focuses their attention. It calls them to listen to their owner, be prepared, be calm, be still.

Writer, Sit!

As writers we need to learn this command for ourselves. It is important to sit. We must ground ourselves, be prepared, be calm, be still. We need to practice lowering our energy levels and pulling our focus into our work. Be in the moment and be ‘the writer’ in that moment.

Learn to put aside distractions, stresses, and emotional chaos. Take on the BIC (Butt in Chair) challenge. Carve time for your writing and in any moment dig for your center; turn your attention to the work at hand. Ignore outside influences, ignore the crowded, noisy fast food outlet in the background, and put the children into a buffer for a few minutes or an hour. (I’m writing this while my three and seven year olds play outside at our local McDonald’s.). Set a timer if it helps you begin. “Writer, SIT!”

Writer, Stay!

Stay tuned for the next installment of the Dog Train Your Writing Skills Series. Next we’ll focus on two more vital commands that begin the training process, heel and stay. These commands have an interesting tie to writing and can influence the direction of your progress and your success.

What do you do to keep your writer’s training and obedience intact? Do you command yourself to sit frequently? How do you find that sense of calm and quiet when chaos abounds?