Getting started

**Givesgoodemail**[$] · #1 05-13-2008, 12:43 PM

I have such a difficult time getting started with writing. I can't seem to summon the discipline to do it every day.

I come up with what seem to be nifty ideas, but I cannot keep them in my head long enough to flesh them out and get them down on paper.

*sigh*

**lynnzop**[$] · #2 05-13-2008, 02:15 PM

I read "On Writing" by Stephen King and found the second half (the first half deals with his drug addiction and the accident) to be pretty good for tips on how to become a more disciplined writer.

The things I remember most were to schedule writing time (i.e., I'm going to write for 2 hours in the a.m. from 8:00 - 10:00) and to essentially pare down your words as much as possible (I know, I know, SK paring down words is hard to comprehend) - less is more concept.

I should go pick up that book again (my copy went AWOL) - it was an interesting read, even the bio stuff in the beginning.

**amykhar** · #3 05-13-2008, 02:27 PM

For me, I have to not allow myself to edit while I write. I have to throw the words on the page and then go back and fix stuff. Otherwise, my perfectionist tendencies don't let me get anything on the page.

**Givesgoodemail**[$] · #4 05-13-2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

amykhar said

For me, I have to not allow myself to edit while I write. I have to throw the words on the page and then go back and fix stuff. Otherwise, my perfectionist tendencies don't let me get anything on the page.

I have a technical explanation for that phenomenon; I suffer from it badly.

Your right brain does the creation, and works with the left brain to get thoughts recorded. What happens to me is that I'll make a typo or state something awkwardly, and my left brain wants to grab the wheel and push my brain from creation mode to edit mode. Then my right brain can't get into creation mode again.

I'm also very reluctant to take the left-brain-oriented "outlines" or "summary structure" approach. My right brain rebels against structures when I create.

I've just snagged a used copy of "On Writing" from Amazon. (Yes, I buy from Amazon--but only when I cannot find it locally.)

**hadassahchana**[$] · #5 05-13-2008, 10:23 PM

Scheduling is the best advice. When I made myself start doing that, I started getting real results. Ok, no surprises, but waiting to be inspired doesn't work for me as much as my telling myself to get my lazy butt up and working even if I don't want to.

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #6 05-14-2008, 03:58 PM

What about recording snippets on a micro tape recorder? I verbalize and rehearse and fine-tone my trainings talking out loud to myself in the car or the shower for a couple days before putting things on paper and writing a real outline.

**Givesgoodemail**[$] · #7 05-14-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

mjfrombuffalo said

What about recording snippets on a micro tape recorder? I verbalize and rehearse and fine-tone my trainings talking out loud to myself in the car or the shower for a couple days before putting things on paper and writing a real outline.

I have tried to use recorders to transcribe thoughts and notes, with little luck. I would almost work better dictating it out loud to a stenographer, but THAT'S not gonna happen any time soon.

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #8 05-14-2008, 04:14 PM

Oh, I thought you were just trying to get a handle on the thoughts that zip in and out of your head. For transcribing, some caseworkers have had good luck with this but it only worked as a time-saver for those who could organize and compose as they spoke so that it came out already in a good narrative order; people who couldn't think/talk/organize at the same time said the editing was cumbersome.

**Helen_B**[$] · #9 05-17-2008, 03:06 AM

You might have a look at The Artist's Way, a book on strenghtening your creativity. There is an amazing section on how to break a creative block; got me through my first research paper at University after a 35 year hiatus.

Another thing you might try is "daily pages". Allow half an hour, first thing in the morning (my Creative Process prof gets up at 4:30am to do this) to write by hand three pages, single spaced of whatever comes to your mind. Sit down, write three pages, put them away, and repeat the next day. Do not read these pages for at least three months, if at all. This is a clearing exercise, to literally clear the way for creativity. You'll be surprised at the effect this has on your focus.