7 Can’t-Miss Ways To Kick-Start The Writing Habit
Posted by Dave Navarro
- Write nothing but headlines. Sometimes the thought of writing an in-depth article is too much for your brain to deal with after a long day (or at the start of one). Spend 15 or 30 minutes just churning out headlines without worrying about how catchy they sound. You may not be in the mood to write an article from scratch, but if you keep building a collection of headlines you give yourself a ton of options. The more headlines you add to your list, the more likely you’ll find something you’re in the mood to write on at any given moment.
- Write ‘crap’ without feeling guilty. We tend to assume that great writers write great stuff all the time. Face it - they don’t. Professional writers write even when nothing but crap comes out because they know that it’s part of the journey to getting the real gems. Steve Allen said to “write for the trash can,” meaning write without reservations about what people might think, just to keep your writing skills in shape. Try it when you’re feeling stuck - it really works.
- Schedule regular time and show up, even if you think you can’t write. Sometimes your brain will freeze, your motivation will leave you, and your car won’t start. Showing up at your keyboard will solve two of those problems. If you’ve scheduled 8am to 9am to write, and you sit there for an hour and nothing comes out, you’ve still followed through on your appointment. When you sit down tomorrow your chances of breaking writer’s block skyrocket. I’ve never met anyone who followed through on showing up and had long term writer’s block. When you show up, you’re subconsciously telling yourself that you’re serious about writing … and that sets you up for a win.
- Write about how you solved a problem. People like stories; it’s just how we’re wired. The good news is, you’re already good at telling stories because you do it all the time in everyday conversation. Whatever the topic you write on, think of a time you worked through a problem or fixed someone else’s dilemma. Because you’re just telling what you already know, the creative pressure is off and you can just talk through what happened (and educate the reader in the process).
- Edit older articles. Go through your previous blog entries and make them better. You’ve had a chance to forget what you wrote about, so you’ll come to it with a fresh eye and an ability to improve what was there before. It’s like dipping your toes in the water to get yourself used to the temperature - soon you’ll be ready to jump in. And the articles you edit may give you great ideas for new ones to boot.
- Type out other people’s articles. This may sound odd, but it can get your gears unstuck. Jump to a blog you love, open up a text editor, and just start typing out your favorite articles. You’re not doing anything creative, but you’re writing all the same. It’s like a warm-up walk before you start running. A side benefit that comes from this is that when you type out other people’s sentences, you can become a better writer, because you’re ‘tasting’ different styles of stringing words together.
- Add your tips to this list in the comments section below. Don’t be afraid - leave a comment right now with your best writing tip. If you don’t have one, just write about how you’re going to use one of the above tips in the next 24 hours. But above all, write something right now. Get that brain unfrozen and that motivation rising. (but about that car that won’t start … I can’t help you with that).
Keep it rocking -
Dave
******
Dave Navarro is all about helping you get more done faster. Pick up your free “More Time” kit at www.30hoursaday.com.
156 Rockin' Comments
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:01 am
I agree with every single one of these points! As a writer by profession, getting “stuck” isn’t an option. I’ve learned to just start writing and figure out the angle along the way. What you take out might be a whole new article in and of itself.
Another think I do is read something related if I’m uninspired. This is an awesome way to get in the groove Oftentimes, I’m struck by inspiration in the middle of reading something and jump over to Word and start going mad on the keyboard as the ideas flow out of seemingly nowhere.
Great post!
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:05 am
I love number two - very reminiscent of Anne Lamott’s “sh*tty first draft” theory. Christine made a great point - writer’s block is a luxury for which only amateurs have the time.
My best trick is setting a timer. When I’m doing writing for myself, I have no problems. But when I’m doing freelance stuff, the boredom sometimes makes me want to weep. I set a timer for 5, 10, or 15 minutes and just go, giving myself complete permission to quit after that. I usually get a boatload done and afterwards I don’t have anything hanging over my head.
Great tips, Dave!
October 22nd, 2007 at 7:47 am
@Christine -
I just found your blog last night after writing this - can’t wait to read more (it was 1am, so I didn’t get far). Thanks so much for your tip!
@Naomi -
Anne Lamott rocks. I love her articles on Salon.com. Good tip with the timer - thanks! (Checking your blog out now)
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:03 am
I am using a lot of pictures (mostly my own) in my blogs. I often start to write about a picture and, then, other, ideas are coming …
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:23 am
@ Naomi - I love the timer idea. I have tried that a few times and I don’t know why I don’t do it more often. I use it to set a limit for how long I have to complete a writing project. Otherwise, it can be tempting to go off on too many tangents or over-research for the project. It really does work!
@ Dave - great! I always enjoy your posts here very much. You always seem to bring interesting perspectives and actionable content in a very personable way. :)
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:40 am
@Christine -
Thanks for the kind words (just subscribed to your feed, too)
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:09 am
Great post. Especially agree with point 3. Building that internal discipline is a great way to get going when you really don’t feel like it.
One trick that works well for me is to imagine myself having a conversation with someone who’s asking a lot of questions about whatever subject I want to write about. The conversational style helps overcome the block of putting pen to paper (or typing!), and the inquiring nature helps me come up with the flow of the article.
Next time you’re truly stuck, give it a go.
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:21 am
great idea about having a scheduled time to write…also loved the idea about writing for the trash can.
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:22 am
These are really helpful. I have been trying to find Ideas to help me write and these will work.
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:37 am
Thanks, Adam - what’s your top tip?
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:41 am
To deal with my long-term writer’s block, i just started banging out random impressions of books I’ve read. Not proper reviews, mind you, just my impressions. The thought here is if you just talk about something made you feel, you’re working the right muscle to do an article/feature from scratch later on.
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:48 am
Thanks for the list, it is a good one… I try my hardest to write a high quality content post every day, but realistically we all know it is almost impossible to keep up, and if you think that is the only thing you can ever post you will quickly become disappointed.
Lists like the one you did here is a good example. If I am having trouble with a post, a top 10 list or something like that is a good way to get thinking again. I try to use them with caution, I don’t want just a top 10 site, but they get you thinking.
I also try to have some posts sitting in the wing that I can publish when I don’t have time or can’t think of anything to say. Thanks, Scott
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:50 am
What should I do if I want to start writing (e.g. a blog), but have no idea where to start, what to write about, and how to build a habit out of it?
The tips on this page seem wonderful, but I’m not a writer to begin with
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:53 am
This list sure is interesting to me because I’m the most procrastinating writer on the planet. In fact, until I read this list, I’ve known only one single method to get myself started writing something, regardless of the deadline. That method is to explore as much intellectually stimulating material as you possibly can that has nothing to do with what you want to write about. Just keep exploring - surfing the internet is my preferred means, but there are other ways and other media — to the point where your brain has become so saturated that you know you’ve had enough. Then go back to your writing. You might have to rest a little while first – perhaps even for an hour or two — as you might feel physically drained as well. This never fails to get the ideas and words flowing for me, and I bet it won’t fail you either. It is as if you’ve cast a huge wave of cerebral energy over a long shore, and when that massive water starts rolling back to sea (when you are too tired to continue your intellectual exploration) its great force is bound to move that tiny pebble that you’ve been trying to put in motion — the idea that you’ve been trying to sort out, and express on paper.
It’s not the quickest way to get started, but it works. I’m hoping that Dave’s tips above will work just as well, but faster!
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:55 am
Outlining. Remember doing idea webs in school? Yeah, I thought they were epically dumb then, but I’ve since learned that outlining — any kind of outlining — is exceptionally useful. I have the most bizarre collection of notebooks, post-its, highlighter-color-system, but it works! Especially when working on a very large writing project, outlining is not only necessary just to put it all together, but can let work on specific sections, not necessarily in sequence.
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:09 am
I like to write too… I even will know what to write about, but I have a problem.
I know the starting point (the problem), and the ending point (Solution to the problem). Issues exist with how to fill inthe gap in the middle.
What I feel I should do is to NOT assume anything about my readers… and explain to them, with great details, every little point, assumptions, etc.
This way, I can write out the problem in a paragraph or two, then add in more nuts and bolts about miscellaneous information, and have a conclusion.
There, I’ve just written A LOT for my self. I wish i had written this on my blog.
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:14 am
I like to set a short time (5-10 minutes) and write headlines on a random topic.
Then go through the headlines specifically with “don’t bury the lead” in mind, and write some new headline / subheads for another few minutes.
Third pass through, I see if any of the headlines are related into one article and I group them, adding any new ideas.
With the list I’ve now got, I look to see if I’ve got the outline (headline and sub sections) of a single article, if I have I start to piece it together, if not I start again on another topic. I’ll do this for a maximum of an hour. It’s a surprisingly quick way to generate an article when “uninspired”.
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:15 am
Thanks, Dave! This was an outstanding article. I found myself writing headlines over the weekend and was carried away in a hurry.
One thing I’ve done a few times is go to a quiet place to hang out - mine is a bar that’s never busy. Bring a pen and something to write with and sit in front of the television. Between people talking and news, sports, etc., it stimulates thoughts that under other circumstances, one might dismiss as fleeting or meaningless.
I also love to write in my stream of consciousness. I can just start writing about anything and from one topic to the next. When I get stuck, or bored, I go back to reading my headlines and the free association generates more of them.
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:18 am
Yeah, one thing I think really helps is writing just for the sake of it. I have to commute to work everyday by train and I use those 2 hours to write in my little black book, no matter if I feel like it or not. And it helps a lot to find the inspiration to write nice stuff (after having written a lot of crap, of course :))
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:23 am
@Daya -
Thanks for all your tips. I also carry a pocket notebook to do all the things you’re talking about as well.
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:26 am
I think my biggest tip would be to not pressure yourself, because if you feel pressured, the block will surely continue.
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:30 am
@Adam -
You’re right - pressure is a killer. What works for you when you’re trying to “not pressure yourself?”
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:31 am
Hey Thanks! This article makes me realize how many excuses I have for not writing and sharing my own thoughts.
Awarness bites.
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:38 am
This just in:
Action equals results
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:43 am
The best method that works for me when writing is to think of a subject, and freewrite without stopping for about ten minutes. After that ten minutes, I review what I just wrote and can edit out all the mistakes.
My favorite technique for editing a paper is by reading it out loud to yourself or to a friend. This way, you’ll find that some parts of your paper don’t flow as well and you can reword it easier.
Easy reading is hard writing!
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:44 am
This is a great article Dave! Thanks for sharing with all of us, very useful tips. ;)
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:47 am
@Limitless -
Thanks (but I won’t let you off that easy … what’s your top tip to add to this list?)
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:55 am
I’ve kept a journal for years and it has really helped me organize my ideas without having the pressure of sitting down and typing out a blog.
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:17 am
Just one piece of advice working great with me :
When you are finishing a writing session stop before to be dry. Just write ideas with bullet points and stop here. Even in the middle of a paragraph.
At the following session you will know what you wanted to write next and most of the time it will be enough to keep going.
Keep it rolling
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:21 am
Reading other posts, and commenting on other posts seems to get the juices flowing.
If there is a post that I am working on that seems to not be happening, I will just put some “trash can quality” content down, not publish, and then come back to it in the morning.
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:23 am
@Adam -
Thanks for the follow up :-)
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:52 am
I try and write so that a person with no knowledge of the subject can read it without be bored to death. I work in an Industry that is pretty dry and has medical terms. If you don’t describe things in simple terms, you tend to lose most people. I really liked the article.
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:19 pm
A couple of things that help get me writing when the motivation isn’t there:
1. I commit to one scene a day (I write screenplays). This I always do and while it doesn’t sound like much, over the course of a month that amounts to 30 scenes, which is an enormous chunk of a movie, in some cases almost the entire picture. But most of the time I end up getting inspired after I have been writing a few minutes and often I end additional scenes. So, no matter what you are writing, commit to writing a specified small amount each day.
2. Write something else as a warm-up. It can be difficult to summon inspiration for long-form writing projects. If you have a hard time motivating yourself, write something else, whether it be a blog entry, a poem, a short story or anything else that tickles your fancy. This gets the creative juices flowing since it’s exciting to start something new and while your creativity is stimulated you can bring that newfound enthusiasm to your main project.
3. Try, if you can, to write in the early morning. This is a time when you haven’t been stressed out and/or exhausted by the stress events of a typical day. Your mind is clear and you’re more relaxed emotionally, which enables you to focus more and unleash your imagination, which will not be hindered by the preoccupations of daily life.
4. Play some relaxing music. Music can change your mood and your mindstate, helping you to temporarily escape from reality, which is exactly what a writer needs to do in order to tap into their fantasy life. This applies to non-fiction writing as well because though the topic is real, the writing is still creative.
October 22nd, 2007 at 12:59 pm
These are good tips and ones which I have found works – although I didn’t know about the headline thingy.
When I was young, I prayed and longed to be a writer. My wish came true. I should have prayed to be a storyteller. I can write technical reports, instructions for operating machinery and computer programs (with circles and arrows and all manner of helpful descriptions), but alas no stories. With a minor in English, I know enough to know I write shallow, commonplace stories with no originality – but well written.
Anyway, as for my tips. This is sort of reinforcement or an excuse for doing tip 2 and 3. What many would-be writers don’t realize is that writing is like playing a musical instrument or running in a marathon. How would a musician perform if they waited until the day of the performance to start playing? How long would a running last if they didn’t run until the day of the marathon. So too, writing must practice daily or at least regularly, so when inspiration strikes, trying to formulate grammar or syntax will not get in the way and the words will flow and not get in the way of thoughts.
Another tip. Blog. Blogging is a way to exercise you writing skills as mentioned above. This is oh so much better than keeping a diary, log, or journal for one very good reason: you are published. You’re out there, baby! It may not be read much and only get the random reader than even the lowest blogs get, but you will get some, and if you write something noteworthy or pithy, maybe even a comment. Even though I write technical reports, the constant practice of blogging has help when it’s time to do so.
One more tip. Stream of conscious writing. Just start writing and see come out the end of the pen or those keyboard clicking fingers produce. I started to just leave a few comments but here I am running on and on.
Came by way of digg. Bookmarked. I’ll be back.
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Wow - Every reader has shared such excellent points! Another thing that can be especially difficult when writing for clients… is when the topic doesn’t really interest you! Some that come to mind that I’ve written about are plastic injection molding and brazed plate heat exchangers. When you have a project like this, it can take much, much longer than if you are passionate about the topic.
In this case, I do something that may seem really simple and perhaps kind of ineffective - but it really works for me! I refocus and repeat this mantra to myself when doing research on the topic…
“This is the most interesting thing I have ever read!”
I suppose it works to trick my mind into engaging in the topic on a deeper level. I mean for some people - this stuff IS their passion! When I can try to get inside their minds, the project becomes more fun and exciting - and that really gets things moving along.
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:31 pm
@kosman -
Reading out loud is a great idea.
@hoi
Journaling is good too … I’ll bet when you start at the beginning of it and read forward you generate new ideas as well.
@benjamin
Bullet points are definitely a good way to make it easy to pick back up. Thanks for the tip.
@quaid
Considering different audiences’ pints of view is a good tip - thanks!
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Holy comments, Batman! I like the idea of “This is the most interesting thing I’ve ever read” because Yowza Some of the stuff i have to do is boring. it’s true, that’s the stuff that’s the hardest to get motivated over. There’s only so much excitement you can drum up about baseboards, but I’ll give that idea a try. Anything’s better than what I’m doing now. :)
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:43 pm
@Morgan & scout29c -
Wow, I think you two combined wrote more than I did :-) Definitely going to have to have a follow up article …
@Christine -
Tricking your mind is a beautiful thing. Thanks for the tip!
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:44 pm
I got ‘crapped’ by number 2! :lol: One of my biggest problems in writing is my hesitation to write words that might be offensive to readers and so I avoid using words like ‘crap’ as much as possible. But, yes, it does have an effect on how I write and has probably added to my continuing writer’s block.
As for the presence of pressure when writing, sometimes it actually works for me when I’m pressured. I write out everything that comes to mind in that short period of time and just revise it later. The results are generally good!
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:47 pm
@Naomi -
“Anything’s better than what I’m doing now.”
Take a moment to remember how privileged you are to be paid to what you’re great at. That may help get you a little more motivated.
BTW, I just subscribed to your blog. Good lookin’ stuff.
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Thanks, Dave! I like subscribers. A lot. If anyone else feels the need to do so, I provide free waffles to all subscribers I meet in person. (Don’t worry, I don’t actually cook the waffles myself. That would hardly be an incentive.)
October 22nd, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Read the dictionary. A pocket version of webster’s works well.
Read a page a day and highlight any ‘interesting’ words you find. Then, when you need inspiration, flip through and browse all of the highlighted words.
October 22nd, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Duke - That’s a fantastic idea! I love that! I knew I was keeping my college dictionary for a reason…
October 22nd, 2007 at 4:12 pm
@Duke -
Excellent idea. Extra points to you for wading thru all the comments :-)
October 22nd, 2007 at 5:08 pm
8. Write an article about how to overcome writer’s block :)
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:20 pm
brilliant link this, that a kind and caring friend sent me. i agree with the showing up tip. Once we do it regularly there’s no doubt the universe gets the message that we are serious. I’m on my way .. If ony ‘inspiration would strike me at 9.00 am sharp’ a la somerset Maugham!!
I just need to get beyond the fear of ‘Oh god I haven’t got a good opening line so I won’t start. Headlines or indeed any sort of ramblings would be better tthan my blank page which is about as afar as i’ve dared go in recent weeks.
thanks for starting me off………
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Great tips!
Regarding tip #2, a really useful and inspiring further resource is “Wild Mind” by Natalie Goldberg, as well as her book “Writing Down the Bones.” Both very helpful for kickstarting techniques.
In addition to “setting a writing appointment” every day, I also use the technique of “timeboxing” at other times in the day when I have say a 20-30 minute break between tasks or some brief free time between meetings. Granted, writing often requires longer periods of mental focus (that’s what the “appointment” time is for), but it’s amazing what you can do sometimes in just a brief, spontaneous period of intense writing.
Keep up the great advice!
DK
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Try what I call “Five Words.”
It’s what it sounds like. Commit each and every day to sitting down and writing a minimum of five words.
They don’t have to be good words. You do have to attempt to make sense and advance toward your objective (”The End.”) The Five Words can’t just consist of writing the same word five times, unless for some reason that’s actually called for.
If you do your Five Words, you are okay with yourself for today: you don’t have to do more.
Of course, you can. As you no doubt guessed, the ideal, and eventual goal, is to write more. You’re trying to trick yourself into a state conducive to writing. You’re also trying to create a habit of going there daily.
There’s nothing magical about the number five. The point is to set a goal so low it’s just near-impossible not to reach it. Again, the keys are “state” and “habit.”
This technique serves me, and various others who’ve tried it, pretty well. It can apply to other endeavors than writing: come up with some other simple quantum of any task, such that it’s more trouble to talk yourself out of doing it than just doing it.
One caveat: the Five Words technique may not help you get as much done as you desire or need to on a daily basis. For that the suggestions offered above are well worth trying. The first step toward producing enough every day is producing every day. “Five Words” is an easy way to build that fundamental habit.
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:38 pm
@Stuart -
Great tip. “Answering questions” is a lot easier to deal with than “coming up with something good from scratch.
@Zacharias -
Good tip, I haven’t thought of doing reviews before. It sounds like a good way to “stretch” your writing muscles.
@chipseo -
@Excellent point - in fact, lists are a great way to spawn articles (write longer articles giving more details on each list bullet)
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:50 pm
@Jeff -
Quick answer to your question: 1) Read problogger.com, 2) Pick a single theme to write about and make it your brand.
@JohnQ -
Let us know how the tips work out & if they help you get into gear faster!
@alex
Outlining is like headline writing - it gets you focused on what to write about (and compartmentalizes it). Thanks for bringing it up.
@NevilNayak -
Don’t wish you wrote this … instead, write your take on it on your blog.
@Liam -
Sweet tips! Thanks for sharing.
@Pedro -
You’ve got it. :-)
@Citizen42
Awareness is curative if you let it be. Write! :-)
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Limit your writing time. Give yourself 15 minutes to think of an idea, write something pithy, title it, publish it, view and edit it. This is not something you can do every day, but it’s good for a jolt of adrenaline and removal of noise from your head. In a word, focus.
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:02 pm
This is an absolutely wonderful entry, and the comments have made it fascinating! I’m on my third published book, but I keep learning new things all the time.
I can add only one technique, but it’s the one that works for me when nothing else does…
Mind Maps — visual lay-outs of your thinking that give you an overview without holding you to a linear outline.
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:15 pm
@Jon -
Thanks for the tip!
@Tessa -
Inspiration has a 9am appointment with you. Keep showing up ’till it’s the right day :-)
@Daniel & Victor -
Thanks for the kick-start advice.
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:15 pm
I have been procrastinating writing my b-school application essays which are due NOW! (well, almost…there’s hardly any time left), and this article should definitely help me get started.
Since I find myself in the company of professional writers here, if someone has any specific comments or ideas for the following essays (paraphrased) I need to write, it would be awesome if you could share either here or preferably via email msaraf@gmail.com -
Essay 1 - Why should we accept you….how would your add to our culture of diversity?
Essay 2 - What would you pick - a million bucks or a knighthood, and why?
Essay 3 - How would your supervisor/manager describe you to his replacement (i think they are asking for what I do at work and my strengths and weaknesses in my own words)
Essay 4 - Anything else that would strengthen the application at all.
each essay must be 300 words max… talk about brevity!
Thinking about the above might inspire you for whatever it is that you work on….I’ll send some good vibes over :-)
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Dave,
You are becoming quite the Digg King.
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Steven -
I don’t know what’s up … 3 front-pages in October … not sure what I’m doing right, but I’ll try to keep doing it!
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Dave,
I think the title for this one is really effective, so I’m sure that helps. Your articles are informative, but to the point. That’s not easy to do.
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:02 pm
I guess it’s all about solving problems. :-)
I’d have to say that I’d credit copyblogger.com for teaching me how to write for blogs. That blog is GOLDEN.
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:52 am
My favorite, practically fail-safe method to get stalled writing started is questions. There are quite a few excellent books containing what some call “conversation-starter” type questions. The books I recommend most are Barbara Ann Kipfer’s “4000 Questions For Getting To Know Anyone and Everyone”, the “If …” books by Evelyn McFarlane and James Saywell, “The Conversation Piece” by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie, and “The Book of Questions” by Gregory Stock. These books never fail to get me talking precisely because that’s what they’re designed to do - get people talking. The most interesting effect of using these books is they prompt you to improvise questions of your own. I’ve become quite a collector of all sorts of interesting questions which I find to be the very best preventive medicine for writer’s block … and the best cure. Try them out. I think you’ll find that, once you’re in the habit of collecting and answering … or attempting to answer … a wide variety of questions - hypothetical or pointed, serious or humorous - a blank piece of paper will never frighten you again.
Another related suggestion I might make is to create yourself a daily question list, i.e., a set of questions you commit to answering every single day that are designed to sweep the sleepy cobwebs of the brain, wake it up and get it thinking and YOU talking on paper. Listing helps in this area too.
October 23rd, 2007 at 3:17 am
Great tip list. I’m a fiction writer by choice but I also submit some freelance technical writing. I especially relate to your first tip. In fact, it’s a form of ‘first thoughts’, a timed writing excercise of author Natalie Goldberg where you just spew out thoughts and words without editing or pausing to even read what you’ve written. It’s a great creativity farming technique.
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:18 am
I take the Ray Bradbury approach to writer’s block, personally - surrounding oneself with a gaggle of items that inspire creativity. I suggest it highly.
October 23rd, 2007 at 12:02 pm
@Ric -
I love the ideas about daily questions. Thanks for the tip!
@Vivienne -
Thanks for the kind words!
October 24th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Connecting to your first point about headlines, I try to have atleast 3 draft posts on the go at all times. It doesn’t have to be substantial but if you don’t write it down somewhere, chances are you’ll forget it.
A link you found along with 3 bullet points about ideas for potential post that it generated. If you just bookmark the link and think “That will make a great start for an article” and don’t add your thoughts at the time, you’ll be cleaning out your bookmark list and wonder, “Why did I have this here? Oh well, if I can’t remember, must not have been worth it.”
A code snippet which you made or found that overcame a particular issue. How many times have you been googling for solutions to IE6 bugs and found the particular answer on some blog? That could be traffic headed your way - but not if you never start the post.
Then, when you follow-up on your 3rd point about a regularly scheduled writing time, you’re not staring at a blank slate, but have a series of options to consider flushing out. Great fodder in case you don’t have a fresh idea to run with.
Added freelance folder to my rss feeds - good job!
October 24th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Love that number 7 point. There is just great liberation in in-the-moment expression despite your being uncomfortable and unwilling or unable to express, and just in that moment pushing past feelings of insecurity and inadequacies. Oh, such great freedom!
October 24th, 2007 at 10:38 am
nice articles. give me some lights how to do some writing. i’m not a writer but a thinker. but like to be a good writer someday so i could write what i know. so many thing on my head just waiting to get out. so thanks for the info.
October 24th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
@Jaime -
Thanks for your tips (and your subscription!)
@redspace -
“Someday” doesn’t happen ’till you start. Start small and start today.
October 24th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Thank you to everyone who dugg this article and left a comment. You really made my day!
(Can’t wait to write the next article …)
October 24th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
I plan on participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this November, and I hope these seven suggestions will help me find a topic that will hold my attention for a month.
My best writing tip is this: Carry a journal or notebook with you everywhere you go. When you get in the habit of writing everything down, you’ll find there’s a lot to write about.
This is a helpful article. Thank you!
Em ;)
October 25th, 2007 at 6:12 am
Emily -
Congrats on being a NaNoWriMo author … it’ll be a lot of fun!
Good luck and write like crazy -
Dave
October 25th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
I specially liked the tip #4, I realised that this is just what I want to do: Write new, good and facinating stories.
I’m decided to work hard in order to accomplish this.
Thank you for keep me going.
October 26th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Daniel -
Glad to be an inspiration. Thanks for the shout-out!
October 27th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Well, nothing I haven’t heard before, but a good memory-jog to kick me into writing again, especially with NaNoWriMo coming up in 4 days!
October 27th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
As a freelance writer for the past 20 years and a blogger for the past 4 years, I’ve often experienced writers block (even though I know many writers who consider writer’s block a myth and a cop-out).
I’ve often found, funnily enough, that being under pressure helps. If the clock is ticking down to a deadline, I tend to write faster and the words come out easier because my back is to the wall. So it’s a case of “write or die”. On the other hand, if I have all the time in the world, I tend to daydream or find something else to do.
If I am having trouble writing dialogue, I try to watch a television programme or a movie which has a subject close to what I am trying to write. I concentrate very intensely on the programme dialogue and this helps me to shake up the stupor in my head.
Or I read a book or a Wikipedia page about an author to inspire me.
Another tip is to leave comments on blog pages like this one. Just writing a blog comment is getting you to start writing and the starting is always the hardest part right?
These may all sound silly but they do all work in their own way.
If all else fails, I go for a walk to get some fresh air, or alternatively I take a day or two off (if the deadline allows it).
But at the end of the day, I thrive under pressure and I have produced my best work by literally waiting until the last minute. Since you’re in a hurry to get finished, you’re typing too fast to stop and procrastinate about whether your writing is good or not. You just write. That’s normally how the best writing is achieved - when you don’t stop to think about what you are writing.
October 27th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
I’ve been writing a blog for about a year and a half now (I use to just journal to myself & still do.), and I agree Dave that making a list of topics is what gets the ideas churning. Plus I check out the “buzz” on the net via other blogs, social networks, newspaper articles, tv, radio, my current “train” of thought, etc., etc…
I don’t limit myself — just kinda write about things that strike my fancy. Lately I’ve been writing (ranting) about a few of my pet peeves. Kind of using my blog as a sounding board, but not too much.
Thanks for all the good suggestions.
~ Suzy :)
October 27th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Great tips, there is a lot here that is really helpful. I am trying one solution that is bit off the wall, but it does help. I am experimenting with speech recognition software. It is somehow less daunting to talk to computer and not have to face that keyboard every morning. I in using Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 9, which I think is probably the best available right now. It’s not perfect, so it gives proofreading a whole new meaning. I am using it to write this reply. For me it has increased my output by about 100% every day. It has a fairly short learning curve, and it is a lot of fun to use. I am really excited to use it in combination with tips provided here and see just what happens. I’ll try it for week and get back to you.
October 27th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Mark -
Nothing sounds silly if it WORKS - thanks for sharing.
Suzy -
Glad we could help :-)
James -
I’ve been on the fence about giving Dragon a try - you just sold me. Thanks!
October 28th, 2007 at 7:52 am
I do not agree with this article or the comments.
If you are not inspired to write, or don’t know what to write about, or can’t think of anything useful, DON’T WRITE ANYTHING.
I think it is a bad idea to write-as-a-habit, or to post daily or weekly to a blog regardless of whether you have anything to say. It’s a silly waste of time to write out headlines in hopes of
having something to say later, or to type out other peoples
blogs.
If you have something to say, some ideas that need to be fleshed out, there should be no doubt how to proceed with
the writing. If there is, you should be doing woodworking or
something else. Writing is a craft, but it is also a gift - if you
are not one of the few who have something to write about
then working at the craft is not going to make your writing
any more worthwhile.
Partly because of blogs, we are inundated with unverifiable
information authored by amateurs and by mediocre writing,
or simply inane egotistical ramblings. I think we all need to
refrain from adding to this morass and restrict our writing to
our most essential and original ideas.
October 28th, 2007 at 8:21 am
Why not? Good tips there Dave. I for one, really love writing. I have read a lot of books just to see the different style of writing. i don’t really have a specific style but i’m trying to find one. Writing is a passion but i usually don’t write for the fact that i care too much about what people would think about what i write. After reading tips no. 2 though, i believe i could write more often now. This is my blog. jenal.blogspot.com. See what i’ve written there for i don’t care what people think about my writing anymore. Cheerios!
October 28th, 2007 at 9:13 am
Best advice I ever go: writing is a process, not an event.
October 28th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Great article, Dave! I write academic articles in philosophy, which is similar to freelance writing in that I have to produce written work with no supervision from anyone, so no firm deadlines.
My best writing tip is to set small, manageable goals and to check in with a buddy or two to track your progress as a group. I do this with one of my colleagues - we tell each other our goals for the year, for the next month, and for the next week. We e-mail each other every week with updates and to set the next week’s goals. It’s interesting to hear about someone else’s work, and we encourage each other.
When you fail to meet one of your internal deadlines, it’s important to just calmly set it for another date further out, and keep trying to reach it. Sometimes it helps to cut the goal in half, e.g. if you wanted to write 5 pages in the next two days, and didn’t do it, then try to write 2.5 pages in the following two days.
October 28th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Jim, I appreciate your opinion - why not add a link to your site? Do you not think this information is useful to those of us who write professionally and or to someone like Manav who must write an essay for business school?
I don’t see anything mentioned here about “how to create unverifiable information that isn’t important.” I think your argument is unfounded. The people writing useless information are the people that need this post the most!
This is about kickstarting the writing “habit.” Should a person not ever make exercise a habit simply because they don’t feel like exercising? Writing is a good habit to get into and like many other habits, you must practice to make it one.
October 28th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
@Jim -
I disagree with your opinion. To follow it to it’s logical conclusion is to say “If something isn’t coming easily to you, don’t do it.” If people took that advice, then nobody would ever get good at anything. Michael Jordan didn’t make the cut the first time he tried out for his school’s football team; I for one am glad he didn’t become a woodworker.
I don’t want to start a comment war by saying your attitude seems elitist, so I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt, especially since you have a very good point in there - there are too many blogs filled with drivel (but you’re welcome to refrain from reading them).
None of my advice says “publish everything you write.” It says write, write, and write some more. Experiment. Have fun. Improve. Click Publish when you have something useful.
Though I disagree with the premise of your comment, I thank you all the same for joining into the discussion. Perhaps you can add to it further by elaborating on how you hone your own writing skills. Thanks!
@Zynal -
Glad to be an inspiration. Now write. :-)
@Rich K -
That’s a great perspective (and takes some of the pressure off)
@Sophia -
Love the group writing idea. My wife uses it all the time to write with her friends.
@Christine -
Well said.
October 28th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Stop “researching” by reading blog posts. ;o)
October 28th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Curtis -
Or, use posts for inspiration - elaborate on them or riff on the content.
October 29th, 2007 at 1:29 am
About the car that wont start. If its a new car it is probably a battery problem. Which can be fixed by cleaning the terminal with hot water. Be care full when opening the terminal. Use a cloth or rubber gloves.
October 29th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
I am an amateur blogger/writer, who agrees with you, Jim, that there is a lot of useless writing strewn about the internet. But everyone starts out as amateurs, and blogging has opened the door for more creative ideas from those who may never have otherwise been heard. I agree, Dave, that by writing begets better writing. Besides with a blog you can always go back and edit.
~ Suzy :)
October 29th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Suzy -
Well said.
October 29th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Dave, awesome article! I really like the tip about re-writing someone else’s blog. I read blogs all day and think to myself, why can’t I string those words together, and now, I CAN!
I’m just a lowly blogger who hopes one day to teach creative writing to students, and something I’ve learned that helps spark my writing imagination is to go to a mall, or airport, or restaurant, basically anywhere, and watch people.
Watch them, observe them, and whatever you think write it down in your handy-dandy journal. Whether you play “what-is-their-life-like” in your head, make social observations about their behavior, or wonder about why we are the way we are (we being people), just write it down. It makes for some fun reading later and it may even spark an idea for a writing assignment.
Found your blog via LH and have RSS’ed it. I plan to spend way too much time here.
-Dan
October 30th, 2007 at 12:16 am
i like what you’ve said here. i just thought those blogs i wrote a while ago. the techniques you tell here just fitted to what i always do but i don’t recognize ^_^
thanks.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Dan -
Thanks for the kind words. Keep writing and improving everyday. There are no lowly bloggers.
dhmaccoy
Glad to help :-)
October 30th, 2007 at 11:21 am
Look around you at the other people in the office/coffeeshop/street/prison - wherever you’re typing.
Write a few lines about the people you see, create a little backstory for each person. I usually start this off, making them all grotesque characters, before enjoying the writing, and gradually making them sunnier more positive people - as I get into a better writing mood.
Then I delete all, before someone reads it over my shoulder and smacks me one, and get stuck into my writing. Genius!
October 30th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
I love these comments, especially tips from or about professional fiction writers (the ones who _depend_ on creativity to feed themselves) like Bradbury from Jean-Mathieu.
I have two very obvious suggestions, but it may help non-creative writers break out:
1. Let your work shadow you when you get stuck.
It’s your mess, so you have to clean it up. All of my greatest strokes of creativity are when I am stuck so badly over a stupid idea that felt impossible to recover from. That’s why I do the stereotypical writer activity of carrying a moleskine or composition notebook and a very reliable Fisher Space Pen. I get my idea and stop in traffic, on the bus or at my desk to jot it down.
2. Need to write something moody? Get moody.
Writing something sad? Throw on some Johnny Cash. Do whatever activity sets a mood for you. When I write about drinking activities, I usually have a tasty beverage in my hand. When it’s about something exhilarating, I stop writing, put on my sound-isolating headphones and listen to exciting music until I’m riled up enough to explode. Then, all I do is just dump that emotion on the keyboard and get a solid five minutes of frantic writing. I go back and copy-edit it later.
We all know the fun things that get us going, so let’s do it.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:12 am
I haven’t started a technical blog yet but i think your very first advice would set me going
thanks
October 31st, 2007 at 11:11 am
hmm, good enough. You made me to put in a comment.
I’m into web design (a starter at that). And I also program some software which is quite popular with the user community. I however feel shy of writing a post for my blog. Here’s why
a) English is not my native language
b) I don’t want people on the net to be able to know the real person that I am in my real life.
c) I want the people to know me for the great programmer I’m in my real life.
But I think it’s good to start than to hesitate. Who knew this comment would be this long?
Regards
November 2nd, 2007 at 5:21 pm
If I’m literarilly constipated, I’ll do a number of things to get my coiffed mass moving:
1) Go for a walk
2) Think about something completely unrelated
3) Take a nap
4) Do NOT watch TV, a movie, or play a game (those don’t seem to allow the brain to do it’s thing)
5) Prepare some food
6) Take a sh*t
7) Go for a bike or car ride
8) Do chores
If my mind won’t stay still long enough to get it all down, I’ll whip out a tape recorder and say - more like blurt - what I want to write. Then I can organize my thoughts better afterwards.
I’ve found that my most mentally productive times (problem solving times) are when I’m actually not working. A person trying to solve a problem or write a story needs to allow their subconscious to do the work for them. This makes my times in the bathroom much more productive than they would otherwise be, and for this I am grateful.
But then, there comes a time when you have to stop procrastinating and get down to work.
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:53 am
Hi,
I especially liked the first one. Another trick that I use is to take a notebook and pen and freewrite for 10 minutes - that means no stopping and if you don’t come up with anything then try writing I can’t write until something does.
sue
November 30th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
It’s funny, I’ve read this twice in two days–from two different links. It’s just a good piece and I’ve gotten a lot of writing done! :) Even looking at it kick-starts me.
December 9th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
I write a lot seriously, sometimes spending hours reading, documenting. It has usually fails. With me changing the blog contents a hundred times. But then i look at my personal blog. Usually mumblings about nothing and yet they sound so meaningful.
I guess random and unstructured is a way to write atleast it pleases you.
December 29th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Wow, this is very interesting. I just spent a little time on number 1 above and already I’m coming up with some very interesting ideas - it really does make me want to start writing. In fact, after I’ve fed my son and his friend I’m going to do just that.
Thanks for the great article and the tremendous amount of inspiration.
if you’re looking for inspiration for your blog, how about inspiration and planning for a novel - in a weekend. Go on, I dare you!
December 30th, 2007 at 8:26 am
I finally started posting on my site. 24 posts in a month. And about 300 unique visitors everyday.
This post got me into writing. I cannot thank the Author enough.
Dave, u around?
December 30th, 2007 at 9:36 am
Shivanand,
Sure am. Glad I could help :-)
January 6th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Wow, lots of comments. I swear I read 50 of them. I like the headline tip. I do something similar, but more random. I make big lists of ideas for posts so I always have enough amunition when its time to write. I do so much freelance design work that I have to make my writing time count.
I often make these lists in my down time while watching reruns of Law and Order. That way its easy to disconnect from the show, which I’ve already seen a bunch of times, and write the lists.
I usually write down a combinations of topics to talk about on my blog, blog post ideas, headline ideas, cool images that might complement a post, and more.
Sometimes, I get going with an idea and I write an outline for a post and fill alot of the sections with content. I don’t worry about writing bad at this stage. I’ve found that even if my writing is bad my logic and flow of ideas is usually sound. Even if I have to rewrite a little my first draft will be a great starting point.
Also, if I’m feeling really tired there is always the option to actually watch another rerun of Law and Order, so there is no pressure on me to be productive. It more like fun. I love thinking about stuff and planning out new ideas to write about.
I liked some of the comments about timed writing. I may write a post about that in the future. Thanks for the helpful list.