Met up with a client yesterday to check on her progress with writing a book.
She brought up a couple of issues one of which was time management; she's a busy mum, running her own business, house etc etc.
But the biggest issue she had was about the creative process. As a perfectionist, and we all are to some degree in that we want to get it right, she was worried about sabotaging the creative process.
I can understand her concern because many would be writers I meet do just that thing.
Stop themselves writing.
Often before they start because they're scared to start...
but more often when they start because they can't help meddling with what they've written.
Bad move. Very bad move. Why?
Because you need two completely different mindsets for writing, that is the actual getting down of the words on the page, and editing.
The problem is that many people try to combine the two. They read back what they've just written and think I can improve that.
Well probably they can and probably they should. But not at the creative stage.
It's almost like shifting down a gear when you're on a straight fast motorway. Like trying to turn right where there isn't a right turn. So you bang into a crash barrier.
And that's your creative urge squashed for that session.
It's very difficult to pick up speed again. Can be done but it takes more guile and experience than most beginner writers have.
What you should do therefore is keep going. Put your foot down, in writing terms and power on.
Forget about grammar. Forget about spelling. Forget about factual accuracy.
All those things can be fixed. At a later stage and in a different mindset.
When you write; WRITE
Showing posts with label how to banish writer's block. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how to banish writer's block. Show all posts
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Thursday, 25 March 2010
How's your writing boredom threshold?
Imagine if you will that you're out for a walk. It's a beautiful day and you're full of energy and enthusiasm. You're wearing new walking gear and you feel it's wonderful to be alive.
When you start, your path is easy, flat with a smooth surface. Then to your surprise it starts to move uphill. You pant and puff and your progress slows. Thank goodness, it's beginning to level out but what's this? Mud that clings to your boots with no solid ground. Heavens it's not quicksand is it?
To avoid that danger you try to walk faster but only succeed in sinking deeper. Oh no will you ever extricate yourself from this mud?
If you've been writing for any time then you may recognise the scenario. We come up with a fantastic idea for a story, a novel a book about your life, your business or dreams.
We pour words on to the page. Then one day it feels as if we've run out of steam. Where last week we wrote 5,000 words without stopping, now we can't manage 500. What's happening to us?
It doesn't matter how experienced a writer you are it happens. Sometimes I've worked on text till I'm sick of it. If I have to change another word I'll scream.
This is a normal part of a writing life. The difference is that the more experienced you are, the more techniques, ruses and strategies you develop to deal with it. They'll vary from person to person but however you manage it, at the heart of the problem is a need for a fresh eye.
How do I manage writing boredom and block?
Challenge and stimulate your creativity by setting a challenge. A Haiku, a story about a proverb, a set number of words. Anything goes and works in this situation.
Mud will always exist in writing. But let's not be stuck in it for longer than we need.
When you start, your path is easy, flat with a smooth surface. Then to your surprise it starts to move uphill. You pant and puff and your progress slows. Thank goodness, it's beginning to level out but what's this? Mud that clings to your boots with no solid ground. Heavens it's not quicksand is it?
To avoid that danger you try to walk faster but only succeed in sinking deeper. Oh no will you ever extricate yourself from this mud?
If you've been writing for any time then you may recognise the scenario. We come up with a fantastic idea for a story, a novel a book about your life, your business or dreams.
We pour words on to the page. Then one day it feels as if we've run out of steam. Where last week we wrote 5,000 words without stopping, now we can't manage 500. What's happening to us?
It doesn't matter how experienced a writer you are it happens. Sometimes I've worked on text till I'm sick of it. If I have to change another word I'll scream.
This is a normal part of a writing life. The difference is that the more experienced you are, the more techniques, ruses and strategies you develop to deal with it. They'll vary from person to person but however you manage it, at the heart of the problem is a need for a fresh eye.
How do I manage writing boredom and block?
- Be sure to have more than one project on the go at once.
Challenge and stimulate your creativity by setting a challenge. A Haiku, a story about a proverb, a set number of words. Anything goes and works in this situation.
- Nibble away at the edges of the difficulty.
- Find a writing buddy
Mud will always exist in writing. But let's not be stuck in it for longer than we need.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Writer's block is?
Great post on www.John-Carlton.com about writer's block.
He's running a quiz (with prizes) but both me and you are too late for the prizes.
But the suggestions about what writer's block is are interesting.
For me writer's block is an excuse not to get on and write. Saying you can't write might make me seem interesting but there are enough different ways of writing and approaching how you write to spark off something.
What you do with the writing afterwards is a different matter.
He's running a quiz (with prizes) but both me and you are too late for the prizes.
But the suggestions about what writer's block is are interesting.
For me writer's block is an excuse not to get on and write. Saying you can't write might make me seem interesting but there are enough different ways of writing and approaching how you write to spark off something.
What you do with the writing afterwards is a different matter.
Monday, 2 November 2009
How to become a writer if you hate to write
How do you learn about anything? We all have our own methods don't we and I was talking to my friend and web strategist Kirsty Farrelly last week about it.
She needs to hone in on a source of information right from the beginning and only when she has the nuts and bolts of a subject in her mind does she move out and read more widely. My method is completely the reverse of that - I start widely then hone in.
What I like about my method is that gives me a range of ideas, thoughts and inspirations that I can use for my work or as in this case pass on to you.
Yesterday I was listening to a speaker named Jean Houston. No I'd never heard of her before but she has been influential in the personal development movement for the past 40 years. Her greatest mentor was Margaret Mead the anthropologist; as a young child she met Eleanor Roosevelt and Helen Keller.
More to the point for us though she's written 26 books. When asked how she did it, her answer was "I hate to write".
Now I'm really interested. Because if you like writing, you will write regardless of any other challenges in your life. But finding ways to help people who don't enjoy writing, is one of my passions.
So I'm all ears. And her method is quite simple and I guess if you've done any NLP or visualisation probably obvious.
Jean Houston loves to cook and is very good at it. Starting as a child in self defence so that she could eat properly, she taught herself to cook, became an expert and it's one of the joys of her life.
When she approaches writing a book, she therefore approaches it as a cook. In her mind she's creating a recipe with ingredients to produce a balanced result.
She includes good solid foundations, a mix to appeal to different parts of the reader's tastebuds and that essential extra of love that all good cooks mix in because onsciously it's what they're passionate about - feeding people and giving them a great experience.
Now the cooking analogy might not work for you. But you're great at something. Might be organising your family, might be painting or being a great friend.
Whatever it is try taking that expertise and passion into your writing and see what difference it makes.
What's my passion? Helping people to make the most of their talents. Love it and whatever I've done in my life I've always thought -"If only one person moves on because of what I've said, written or done I'm satisfied."
This week I'll be finding more out about Jean Houston. She sounds a formidable and unstoppable lady.
She needs to hone in on a source of information right from the beginning and only when she has the nuts and bolts of a subject in her mind does she move out and read more widely. My method is completely the reverse of that - I start widely then hone in.
What I like about my method is that gives me a range of ideas, thoughts and inspirations that I can use for my work or as in this case pass on to you.
Yesterday I was listening to a speaker named Jean Houston. No I'd never heard of her before but she has been influential in the personal development movement for the past 40 years. Her greatest mentor was Margaret Mead the anthropologist; as a young child she met Eleanor Roosevelt and Helen Keller.
More to the point for us though she's written 26 books. When asked how she did it, her answer was "I hate to write".
Now I'm really interested. Because if you like writing, you will write regardless of any other challenges in your life. But finding ways to help people who don't enjoy writing, is one of my passions.
So I'm all ears. And her method is quite simple and I guess if you've done any NLP or visualisation probably obvious.
Jean Houston loves to cook and is very good at it. Starting as a child in self defence so that she could eat properly, she taught herself to cook, became an expert and it's one of the joys of her life.
When she approaches writing a book, she therefore approaches it as a cook. In her mind she's creating a recipe with ingredients to produce a balanced result.
She includes good solid foundations, a mix to appeal to different parts of the reader's tastebuds and that essential extra of love that all good cooks mix in because onsciously it's what they're passionate about - feeding people and giving them a great experience.
Now the cooking analogy might not work for you. But you're great at something. Might be organising your family, might be painting or being a great friend.
Whatever it is try taking that expertise and passion into your writing and see what difference it makes.
What's my passion? Helping people to make the most of their talents. Love it and whatever I've done in my life I've always thought -"If only one person moves on because of what I've said, written or done I'm satisfied."
This week I'll be finding more out about Jean Houston. She sounds a formidable and unstoppable lady.
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Writing your book: what have you done today?
"Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action." Benjamin Disraeli
I wish those people who keeping tell us how many shopping days to Christmas would stop it. I usually allocate a couple of days to blitz my shopping, preferably not at a weekend, then forget about it.
But even leaving aside the commercial intensity shown by the retail sector to get us to spend money this year, they are right to keep nagging us.
Because time rushes on. Things get missed and then we wake up in a panic with a couple of days to go before Christmas because we've forgotten to buy something, or forgotten where something is that we'd been very organised and already bought.
Which on a different tack, but the same really, is why I'm asking "what have you done today towards that book you said you would write this year?"
Remember your New Year's resolution? Hmm - now what was it? This year I will write my book. Or at least start it.
If I'm making you feel bad, then you're in good company with some of my writer friends. This time last year one of them talked to me about a book he had planned. About a month ago he talked to me about the same book.
Not finished? Not even started. And this from a professional writer who isn't afraid of the blank page, meets deadlines for clients, and loves writing.
I set him a challenge. To start and finish it before the end of the year. Will he meet the deadline? I've no idea. But he won't get the celebratory meal I promised him if he doesn't.
If taking action on a large scale scares you, take a small step. Write the title, the contents page, the first line. Anything to convince your mind you mean business.
Then take another step, and another till as the Chinese say you'll have achieved the long journey.
Come on - I want you to do it - for you.
I wish those people who keeping tell us how many shopping days to Christmas would stop it. I usually allocate a couple of days to blitz my shopping, preferably not at a weekend, then forget about it.
But even leaving aside the commercial intensity shown by the retail sector to get us to spend money this year, they are right to keep nagging us.
Because time rushes on. Things get missed and then we wake up in a panic with a couple of days to go before Christmas because we've forgotten to buy something, or forgotten where something is that we'd been very organised and already bought.
Which on a different tack, but the same really, is why I'm asking "what have you done today towards that book you said you would write this year?"
Remember your New Year's resolution? Hmm - now what was it? This year I will write my book. Or at least start it.
If I'm making you feel bad, then you're in good company with some of my writer friends. This time last year one of them talked to me about a book he had planned. About a month ago he talked to me about the same book.
Not finished? Not even started. And this from a professional writer who isn't afraid of the blank page, meets deadlines for clients, and loves writing.
I set him a challenge. To start and finish it before the end of the year. Will he meet the deadline? I've no idea. But he won't get the celebratory meal I promised him if he doesn't.
If taking action on a large scale scares you, take a small step. Write the title, the contents page, the first line. Anything to convince your mind you mean business.
Then take another step, and another till as the Chinese say you'll have achieved the long journey.
Come on - I want you to do it - for you.
Monday, 28 September 2009
Writer's block
If you want to write something but you’re scared, ask yourself what’s the worst thing that can happen to you by writing it?
If you think what you want to write is important then that should be stronger than the fear of writing.
If you think what you want to write is important then that should be stronger than the fear of writing.
Writers - a wake up call
If you haven’t written something in the last 24 hours why not?
You’re a writer aren’t you?
You’re a writer aren’t you?
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Writer's block
Here's a technique to kick you into writing
Set a timer for 15 minutes and write about yesterday. You can write what happened hour by hour, you can write as if you're telling a friend or you can choose one incident and concentrate on that.
When the timer buzzes, stop even if it is mid sentence.
Count how many words you’ve written, multiply by 4 and you have a measure of your writing speed per hour. If you can write 100 words in 15 minutes that equals 400 an hour. There's no right or wrong figure because we all work at different speeds.
Set a timer for 15 minutes and write about yesterday. You can write what happened hour by hour, you can write as if you're telling a friend or you can choose one incident and concentrate on that.
When the timer buzzes, stop even if it is mid sentence.
Count how many words you’ve written, multiply by 4 and you have a measure of your writing speed per hour. If you can write 100 words in 15 minutes that equals 400 an hour. There's no right or wrong figure because we all work at different speeds.
Saturday, 13 June 2009
Business Writer's Block and how to slide around it
When I learned copywriting one of the strategies I was given was to create a swipe file.
That is find successful promotions, sales letters and emails and learn from them. As far as I can tell all the great business copywriters do it. I know that Joe Vitale has a collection of successful promotional material stretching back into the 19th century.
My collection measures about 2 metres on my bookshelves and if I get stuck then I go looking for help. Of course you're not going to copy word for word what other people have done. Not ethical and in the long run stupid. But the ideas that the material contains can jump start your imagination and your writing.
Why re-invent the wheel when there are such great guides out there for you to learn from.
That is find successful promotions, sales letters and emails and learn from them. As far as I can tell all the great business copywriters do it. I know that Joe Vitale has a collection of successful promotional material stretching back into the 19th century.
My collection measures about 2 metres on my bookshelves and if I get stuck then I go looking for help. Of course you're not going to copy word for word what other people have done. Not ethical and in the long run stupid. But the ideas that the material contains can jump start your imagination and your writing.
Why re-invent the wheel when there are such great guides out there for you to learn from.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Writer's block - a tip to clear it
Sometimes I just feel overwhelmed by words. And when I get to that point I simply can't write.
So following on from David Bach's advice I have a clear out and tidy up. I've just been through my filing cabinet disposing of unwanted records and long out of date files.
It feels so good and I feel virtuous with my clear desk and tidy cabinet. Tomorrow I'll be able to see the wood for the trees with my current writing project.
So following on from David Bach's advice I have a clear out and tidy up. I've just been through my filing cabinet disposing of unwanted records and long out of date files.
It feels so good and I feel virtuous with my clear desk and tidy cabinet. Tomorrow I'll be able to see the wood for the trees with my current writing project.
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Writer's block - and how to cure it
According to Writer's Almanac, today is Jodi Picoult's birthday today.
Very successful and producing a book almost each year. She puts her lack of problems with writer's block down to having to produce text quickly in her job at an ad agency.
That's my experience too. If you only have half an hour to write something then you do it. It still might need fixing but that comes later.
Sometimes I think we lose the urgency when we allow ourselves all the time in the world to write.
Very successful and producing a book almost each year. She puts her lack of problems with writer's block down to having to produce text quickly in her job at an ad agency.
That's my experience too. If you only have half an hour to write something then you do it. It still might need fixing but that comes later.
Sometimes I think we lose the urgency when we allow ourselves all the time in the world to write.
Monday, 16 February 2009
Writers' block - 3 tips on how to banish it
Today we have a guest post from another member of the team. Babu Basu is a professional writer for business, with a background in business and a talent for writing comedy. He tackles the challenge that lurks in wait for all us writers. What happens when the words won't come.
Getting in the mood to write
Even the most prolific writers are besieged by writer's block or the overwhelming feeling of, "I really can't be bothered."
Fear Not My Friends - here are 3 tips to banish the fiend.
Getting in the mood to write
Even the most prolific writers are besieged by writer's block or the overwhelming feeling of, "I really can't be bothered."
Fear Not My Friends - here are 3 tips to banish the fiend.
- Step away from the keyboard.
It may sound crazy, but sometimes the best way to get creative is to stop being creative.
Distract yourself with washing, ironing, tidying up, absolutely anything. Whilst you're off doing something productive, your subconscious mind kicks in. Before you know it, the answers you're looking for will present themselves to you.
2 Be passionate and get that goat.
Write about what riles you. What gets your goat or inspires your soul? Writer about what moves or frustrates you and I promise, the words will come flowing out.
3. Make mistakes.
If you're scared to write because of grotesque grammar or spurious spelling, give yourself a break. We all make mistakes! And if you need it, a good editor can even out your errors and clarify your message.
Happy writings
Babu
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