Marcus Lopés

Author

Writing Life

The Hardest Part of Focus

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Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus. – Alexander Graham Bell

Most mornings my day begins somewhere around 3:00am (later on Saturday when my body finally tries to catch up from my lack of sleep). What I love about that time of the day is the quietness. It’s still dark outside. There is stillness. I feel like I am the only who exists on the planet. And since I have always been a morning person, getting up early isn’t the hardest part. [Read more…] about The Hardest Part of Focus

Welcome to 2023

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welcome to 2023

We survived the holiday season. It was, as usual, a quiet Christmas in my corner of the world. I haven’t travelled over the Christmas period since 2019, when I was still working as a flight attendant. I’m not going to lie. I’ve been happy not to travel, this year especially as a massive storm system swept through the region wreaking havoc on the roads and causing days-long power outages in some areas. And with all the Christmas baking I did, let’s just say there was no such thing as moderation. I ate every little Christmas cookie or dessert I could get my hands on. Now it’s time to step up the workouts and the running. [Read more…] about Welcome to 2023

Surrender

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Surrender

This is the sequel to ‘House of Cards‘

As Michael stared down James Coburg, burly men swarmed in and surrounded them. With his gun still drawn, he said, “Do you honestly think that, after everything that has happened, I didn’t come prepared for this?”

“Look around, Michael,” James said cavalierly. “You’ve turned one weak man against me, but these other men…” He gestured around the room. “They’re loyal to me.”

“Loyalty is one thing,” Michael shot back. “But are they prepared to die for you? Or spend the rest of their lives in jail?”

James smirked. “These men will put you down before you can even pull the trigger.”

“Maybe. But I don’t think it’s going to come to that.” Michael waited a moment, then slowly holstered his weapon. “You think that because you’re in your home, with your henchmen, that you have the upper hand?” [Read more…] about Surrender

Write Every Day

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write every day

I don’t wait for inspiration. I never have. To become a writer, I learned to write every day. No matter what, no matter when.

Make the Time to Write

In the beginning, after I realized that I wanted to write, it wasn’t easy finding the time to put words to the page. At the time, I was in university, and my love for words overwhelmed. When I should have been studying or writing term papers, I was writing very bad stories and having fun at open mic nights. I don’t know how I finished my degree when I was channelling most of my efforts into writing.

And for every 9-5ish job I have had, I have always woken up early to write. Either in a coffeeshop before heading to the office or at home. And I would spend my lunch hour writing. During my time as a flight attendant, I wrote after a long flight to London or Copenhagen or Dublin. It did not matter that I had been up all night or that my eyelids sagged, I sat down at the desk in my hotel room—or ventured to a nearby cafe—to write. It became a habit.

Focus on What You Do

Some days, I manage a scant 250 words. Other days, it can be anywhere between 1,200 and 2,00 words. The point is this: I write. No matter how I feel, no matter my level of motivation. I don’t worry about how perfect it is or if anyone will like it. I just write every day.

Because this is what I have learned. When you show up every day to do the one thing you’re most passionate about, it is a sign of your commitment. It moves you closer to the end game, and ups the odds in your favour. When you write every day, it hones your skills and helps you become better.

Write Every Day

When I write every day, it brings excitement at seeing the progress being made, and it keeps the momentum going. Do it long enough, without fail, and it’ll show you who you really are.