Writing Hint #22: Strategies to keep you writing
Some days the words just seem to flow from my mind down to my fingertips and on to the keyboard without any effort at all. Some days I have to really work at my writing, crafting every word. And some days it is like trying to make a living out of being a Fowl Dentist.
I like the quote I came across recently and I can’t remember the exact words or who said it, but this person said something like this:
Writing is easy. All you have to do is stare at a blank piece of paper until drops of blood appear on your forehead.
Procrastination and writer’s block are very real problems for some writers. Discipline is the key but we each demonstrate that in different ways. Some writers have a natural inbuilt discipline to sustain them each day; to them it’s not a problem. Others are so motivated they wonder what the fuss is all about. But many writers struggle.
If you are struggling with procrastination or writer’s block you might get some good ideas from this article:
- 50 Strategies for Making Yourself Work by Jerry Oltion.
Some of the ideas are odd, some are downright kooky, but there is enough there for everyone to get at least a handful of techniques that they can use to great effect.
Related articles:
- Writing hints – over 20 articles I’ve written with many writing hints.
- Writing hints archives – articles on writing from my archives.
- The writer’s life – many articles about the life of a writer.
I always loved that quote. It’s from Gene Fowler. Another one of his that I like is:
“The best way to become a successful writer is to read good writing, remember it, and then forget where you remember it from.”
The only thing that ever worked for me was to sit my butt in the chair and pound the keys. I may end up with crap, but manure is just crap, until you bag it and sell it as “Magic Growth Soil Additive.” 🙂
Great comments Tony – and I love the “Magic Growth Soil Additive” idea. See – it all comes down to your perspective on writing, the universe and life.
I often use the following illustration.
Imagine a bush. Most people just see the bush from one perspective. I like to move around to the other side and see another view. And I like writers like yourself who take us on that little journey and give us new perspectives on common things.