8 Simple Ways To Start Writing
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Let's face it...One of the hardest parts of writing is getting started. It's all too easy to end up just sitting there, staring at a blank page or screen as a clock tics away in the background (because of course, the worst writer's block always hits when you have a tight deadline).
Or writing and erasing until you give up, frustrated and stressed out. Because somehow, you can not come up with a single worthwhile thing to say. Or finding something else (like checking emails, making phone calls or surfing the Web) to do.
Luckily, you're not the first person to come down with a full-fledged case of writer's block-or procrastinator syndrome. Over the years, I've picked up a number of tricks you can use to get your writing juices flowing. And it's a good thing. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to effective newsletters and marketing copy week after week.
So, without further ado, here are my eight favorite tricks for getting more writing done.
1) Be Here Now
These days, we're all programmed to be constantly accessible by email, cell phone, IM and more. But the reality is, no matter what line of work you are in most things can wait for at least 30 minutes. And if you really want to get your writing done, you need uninterrupted time to focus.
So put the Do Not Disturb sign on your door and turn off your cell phone. And don't even think about checking your email (I promise you'll survive J ).
2) Set It In Stone
Don't just say you are going to "write today". That makes it far too easy to put off in favor of a coffee break, phone call or raking leaves. Instead, schedule time in your calendar.
Then, go one step farther and set a specific amount of time that you will write without stopping...say thirty minutes or an hour. Some folks find it helps to set an alarm. That way you are less tempted to constantly watch the clock.
3) Dangle a Carrot
Having trouble focusing? Try setting a reward for yourself like "When I finish the first draft, I'll go out to lunch (or buy new shoes)." Or, "I'll edit this one more time, then go for a walk."
That way, you are motivated to get a certain amount of work done before taking a break. And, you get positive reinforcement for your accomplishments.
4) Get Away From It All
Sometimes a change of scenery is all you need to spark fresh creative juices. Try going to a coffee shop, local park or library to get a new outlook. I've even found that just moving to the stand-up workstation in my office, sitting on the couch or lounging in my backyard can do the trick.
5) Be Your Own Library
You don't have to come up with every idea yourself. Start collecting articles or ads from magazines, surfing the Web, and subscribing to a few newsletters. For a serious infusion of new ideas, try using a few titles or sites you wouldn't normally check out.
Then jot down (or tear out and file) anything that seems interesting. Fun factoids and memorable quotes can give you inspiration, and also spice up your writing.
6) Get It Together
Your high school English teacher was right about one thing: outlines work. But if creating an outline sounds about as enticing as a root canal, you can get the same results by making a few short lists.
First, write down the key points or ideas you want to discuss. Then note any specific information that must be included (price, directions, contact info, guarantees, times, etc.). Now add any additional facts or quotes you know you want to include. By the time you finish this, whatever you're working on will be half-written. Then all you have to do is flesh it out.
7) Don't Write
Have you ever noticed that it's easier to talk about something than it is to write about it? If you said yes, consider buying an inexpensive digital recorder, or recording software and a headset for your computer. Then just say what you want to say, have it transcribed, and edit the transcripts to suit. Viola!
8) The Big Brain Dump
One of the best tricks, and one I use every time I put fingertips to keyboard, is the big brain dump. Instead of trying to get the words just right, write down everything and anything you can think of until you completely run out of ideas. Ignore spelling and grammar mistakes. Write the same basic thing three different ways if you feel like it. And don't worry about any of it being any good. Just write.
In fact, give yourself permission now for the first round to be total junk. Then you won't feel the pressure of perfection. Because buried in all the junk are sure to be a few pearls, or at least diamonds in the rough. So now you can go back and start editing. Remember, the beauty of writing-especially on a computer-is that you can edit your work quickly and easily.
With all these tricks at your disposal, you've got no more excuses. So silence your inner critic. Quit struggling with the first sentence. And start writing.
©2002-2007 SuccessStream. All Rights Reserved.
8 Simple Ways To Start Writing - To learn more about this author, visit Stacy Karacostas's Website.
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Staging DivaDebra Gould, aka The Staging Diva®, is President of Six Elements Inc., an internationally recognized home staging company. Inspired by many requests from aspiring home stagers wanting to start similar businesses, Gould created the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program. Gould has trained 4000+ students worldwide to start staging businesses. Buying decorating and selling six of her own homes in four years lead to an interest in real estate staging which she turned into a career with the launch of sixelements.com in 2002. Since then she has staged hundreds of homes in addition to teaching home staging training. Gould is the author of several home staging resources including a series of popular home staging guides made up of a Design Guide, Color Guide, Portfolio Guide and Twitter Guide. For more information about Debra Gould visit stagingdiva.com. - Visit Staging Diva's Website |
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Dave KurlanDave Kurlan is a best-selling author, top-rated speaker and thought leader on sales development. He is the founder and CEO of Objective Management Group, Inc., the industry leader in sales assessments and sales force evaluations, and the CEO of David Kurlan & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in sales force development. Dave has been a top rated speaker at Inc. Magazine's Conference on Growing the Company, the Sales & Marketing Management Conference and the Gazelles Sales & Marketing Summit. He has been featured on radio and TV, including World Business Review with General Norman Schwarzkopf, in Inc. Magazine, Selling Power Magazine, Sales & Marketing Management Magazine and Incentive Magazine. He is the author of Mindless Selling and Baseline Selling – How to Become a Sales Superstar by Using What You Already Know about the Game of Baseball. He created and wrote STAR, a proprietary recruiting process for hiring great salespeople, and he writes Understanding the Sales Force, a popular business Blog and is a contributing author to The Death of 20th Century Selling and 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2. - Visit Dave Kurlan's Website |
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Linda RichardsonLinda Richardson is the Founder and Executive Chairwoman of Richardson, a global sales training and performance improvement company. As a recognized leader in the industry, she has won the coveted Stevie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sales Excellence and she was identified by Training Industry, Inc. as one of the “Top 20 Most Influential Training Professionals.” Ms. Richardson is credited with the movement to Consultative Selling and is the author of ten books on selling and sales management, including Sales Coaching — Making the Great Leap from Sales Manager to Sales Coach, and Stop Telling, Start Selling. She teaches sales and management at the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton Executive Development Center. Linda is a frequent speaker at industry and client conferences, has been published extensively in industry and training journals, and has been featured in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Nation’s Business, Selling Power, Success, and The Conference Board Magazine. Learn more about Richardson's sales training and performance improvement solutions at http://www.richardson.com web - Visit Linda Richardson's Website |
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