I am a writer?

At the risk of jinxing my current writing practice, I wanted to put down a few of the things that are currently working for me. That way, when this all comes tumbling down, I'll remember that they were once true. What's funny is that none of this is new; I've heard it all before. But the experience that it works makes it feel true, really, for the first time. I hope that, too, can be a lesson I remember.

Get in the chair. Ok, I admit it, fifteen minutes a day is a totally workable philosophy. More often than not, I write for longer and get out 1000 words or more.  

Write until you earn the beer. This one started in Europe. When I went out for a drink at the end of the day, I'd sit with my notebook and write until something seemed interesting. All I needed was the kernal of an idea. Those turned into longer blog posts back in the dorm. This game got me started. Now I realize it's hard not to write and earn the beer. Writing is generative of writing.

Make prompts. Each of those earned beers becomes a short topic -- an idea worth developing. Keep a list of these ideas. Each one should be developable within 1000 words or less. When you can't write anything, look back at your list of ideas and see where you can get in 100 words.

Don't lean too much on deadlines. Graduate school really failed to instill in me the habit of writing. We wrote too often for assignments and deadlines. While the pressure of deadlines can motivate, I find it never encourages my best work. Deadlines kill creativity, because you don't feel like you have room to write around. Daily writing, writing to develop ideas rather than complete assignments, allows you room to explore. 

Write without editing. The typewriter has changed my life. I spend less time with it now because I'm more comfortable with it. Now after a page of typed text I swivel over and start revising on the computer. But having it there keeps me moving. Experiencing this way of thinking, forcing myself to keep writing into my problems has meant more productive thought and less pausing to make sure the prose is right.

Imagine an audience. I don't think anyone really reads this blog, but because some of my most thoughtful friends have read it in the past, I still imagine they're with me. This raises my game and holds me accountable to more than just daily rambles (even if these are just daily rambles).

Ask yourself a question: How is what I'm doing right now moving me toward my goal? I came across this question on the pool deck while stretching before a workout.  It's clearly how I think about my time in the pool -- improving streamlining, obsessing over hand positions, etc. But I hadn't really asked it regarding my work. It's a scary question, but if it gets you in the chair writing once a week, then it's done its job.

Leave the house. This term I've accepted the fact that I don't get much done at home. Getting up and getting to a coffee shop (and leaving the computer at home) has been eye-opening. It now happens weekly.

Find a partner. Add a partner to coffee shop time and accountability skyrockets. Add headphones if you're too chatty. Take breaks to share exciting ideas or talk through structural problems. 

Chart it. However you want to do it, log your writing. Seeing the days or minutes or pages or words or whatever add up is really motivating. I track it right along with my swimming.

Celebrate it. Use rewards. Though, to be honest, coming home at noon with a full day of writing under your belt is really the best reward. I didn't realize how much guilt I had about "failing to write" until I started writing. 

Own it. You're a writer, damn it. Tell people you're writing. Work on it. Watch it. Read it. Practice. Be brave.

Comments

[Raina]

great post. RR

[MG]

Excellent!

"Own it. You're a writer, damn it. Tell people you're writing. Work on it. Watch it. Read it. Practice. Be brave."

[Heather]

Clicked through from a share on Facebook. Useful stuff here!

[Mom]

Yes!! Discipline and rewards and be proud too.