Every month, the Insecure Writers Support Group hosts a blog hop with an optional question meant to inspire and encourage other writers. This month, I’m happy to co-host along with Beth Camp, Jean Davis, and PJ Colando.
This month's question:
Since it's back to school time, let's talk English class. What's a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?
I don’t remember any particularly bad writing rules, but I do remember hating homework with a specified word count. If I reached 290 words of a 300-word assignment, I would add “very” ten times. This didn't strengthen my writing, and since the homework was written by hand, the additional words were probably, in hindsight, unnecessary. (I can’t imagine the teacher manually counting each word.) Luckily, this technique didn’t result in any very bad writing habits. 😊
This month's question:
Since it's back to school time, let's talk English class. What's a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?
I don’t remember any particularly bad writing rules, but I do remember hating homework with a specified word count. If I reached 290 words of a 300-word assignment, I would add “very” ten times. This didn't strengthen my writing, and since the homework was written by hand, the additional words were probably, in hindsight, unnecessary. (I can’t imagine the teacher manually counting each word.) Luckily, this technique didn’t result in any very bad writing habits. 😊
Writing Productivity: Overcoming Inertia
Because of the school schedule, September still feels like the beginning of the new year to me, even more so than January. The fall is a great time to assess writing habits and patterns with an eye to becoming more creatively productive.
Sometimes I struggle with getting started for the day. One of Isaac Newton's principles is that an object in motion tends to stay in motion. If that's the case, how can we make it easier to begin the motion of writing?
One idea is to set a timer for a short amount of time. (Ali Abdaal recommends five minutes in Feel Good Productivity. I tend to use fifteen.) When the timer ends, give yourself permission to stop writing if you want. But more sessions than not, it's easier to keep going once you overcome the inertia. "The idea behind the rule is that taking the first step is often the most challenging part of any task," Abdaal says.
Sometimes I struggle with getting started for the day. One of Isaac Newton's principles is that an object in motion tends to stay in motion. If that's the case, how can we make it easier to begin the motion of writing?
One idea is to set a timer for a short amount of time. (Ali Abdaal recommends five minutes in Feel Good Productivity. I tend to use fifteen.) When the timer ends, give yourself permission to stop writing if you want. But more sessions than not, it's easier to keep going once you overcome the inertia. "The idea behind the rule is that taking the first step is often the most challenging part of any task," Abdaal says.
Another idea is to leave your future self story bread crumbs. Some writers recommend stopping when you know what happens next to make it easier to begin again. But if you're not sure what happens next, try making a list of questions about the characters or plot that you need to explore. (How did two characters in a relationship initially meet? How does the main character feel about different people in their family?) My questions tend to be story specific, but you can also use a character questionnaire.
I print the questions on slips of paper and put them in a bowl. If I’m stuck writing, I pull a question and focus on a scene that answers it. You can put writing prompts on the slips of paper, too. I find that the random nature of choosing a question brings joy to the process.
I print the questions on slips of paper and put them in a bowl. If I’m stuck writing, I pull a question and focus on a scene that answers it. You can put writing prompts on the slips of paper, too. I find that the random nature of choosing a question brings joy to the process.
Another idea is to join a Zoom writing session where you log in to write at the same time as other writers. After a brief intro, you typically turn off your camera to write, then check back in at the end of the allocated time. Writing with others can help get over the hurdle of beginning.
Question bowl and candle with matches Once you begin, fighting against distraction is another problem. I often light a candle as part of my writing ritual. Personally, this helps me keep my butt in the chair, because I won’t leave the burning candle. That means no snacks or laundry breaks during the focused time.
I also recommend keeping a notepad (or document) nearby to track all of the things that invariably pop into your head. Research can often be done at a later date, and having a place to save ideas keeps you focused on the actual task at hand. (Recent thoughts on my notepad included: What sandals are most comfortable for long walks? Do we still have paint to touch up the kitchen? I need to buy more candles....) If you're tempted to go online during writing time, putting your computer in airplane mode can help.
Lastly, track time, not words, especially during revision. Revision means wordcount often goes down. And for me, tracking wordcount can lead to rushing through the writing to reach the goal. But if I’m going to work for two hours regardless of the wordcount, I might as well do my *very* best work during that time.
I also recommend keeping a notepad (or document) nearby to track all of the things that invariably pop into your head. Research can often be done at a later date, and having a place to save ideas keeps you focused on the actual task at hand. (Recent thoughts on my notepad included: What sandals are most comfortable for long walks? Do we still have paint to touch up the kitchen? I need to buy more candles....) If you're tempted to go online during writing time, putting your computer in airplane mode can help.
Lastly, track time, not words, especially during revision. Revision means wordcount often goes down. And for me, tracking wordcount can lead to rushing through the writing to reach the goal. But if I’m going to work for two hours regardless of the wordcount, I might as well do my *very* best work during that time.
Happy September!
Feel free to share your own tips for
getting started in the comments.
Feel free to share your own tips for
getting started in the comments.
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