Writing is hard work. That’s why so many people who say they want to write a book never get around to doing it. It takes discipline and determination to sit down and confront that blank page day after day.
Most people are completely capable of that kind of discipline. Most people could write a book if they really put their minds to it, but most people don’t have a strong enough reason to do it. You find the courage to write if your reason to write is strong enough.
I write because I have a story to tell. I have a message that I feel compelled to share with the world. If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time you already know what the message is. It is that we have limitless potential, but as people we tend to sell ourselves short and settle for less than we should. It’s a shame really and if my writing inspires just one person to step out into the big wide open and start living their dream, I’ve done my job.
So, why do you want to write? You don’t have to have a big message to tell. You might just want to entertain people after they’ve finished a hard day at work. That’s great. Entertainment is an important part of life.
So, what’s your message? What do you want to share with the world through your writing?
It is important that you have a strong sense of purpose because that sense of purpose will carry you through when times get rough. That sense of purpose will keep you motivated when it seems like the words just won’t come out of you.
Now that you know why you’re writing, it time to get to the business at hand … actually sitting down and doing the writing. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Set aside a time to write. If you don’t schedule writing into your day, it’s more than likely that you just won’t get around to it. That’s why you need to set a time that you will dedicate to writing everyday. You might have to get up a bit earlier than usual to get the time alone you need to work. Many people do that so they can have some quiet time. I’m not a morning person so I tend to write at night. Whatever time is best for you is fine. We’re all different.
Find a space. You’ll need a space to write. It should be a quiet corner of your home that doesn’t get a lot of through traffic. I write in my bedroom. Right now I don’t even have a desk. I just have a TV table set up in the corner and a good chair. Put things in that space that inspire your creativity. Hang some paintings and pictures you like. Put quotes on the wall that motivate you. Keep inspiring books nearby.
Tell people in your household about your new writing schedule. Make sure people know that this is your writing time and not to disturb you. Don’t take any phone calls or surf the web. This time is for you and your writing.
Get rid of all distractions. I just mentioned phone calls and the internet. Phones and the internet can be the top distractions for writers. If you have a computer that doesn’t have an internet connection that you can use to write on that’s great. If not you might want to consider using a program like Cold Turkey that limits what you can access on your computer during times that you set. I use it to block me from getting on distracting sites like Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.
Now that you’ve got your writing space and time set up you need to figure out what to write.
A lot of your writing time early on might consist of sitting and thinking. That’s fine. I find that I like to think about a story quite a bit before I actually start writing it. It is important to get words down though otherwise you’re not writing, you’re just thinking.
Start out by doing some stream of consciousness writing. Just write down what’s on your mind and see where it takes you. I have found that I can end up with a story or personal essay that goes in some pretty interesting directions just from writing down some silly thoughts in my head.
Writing prompts can also be helpful. I never use them, but a lot of people do. They can be a good writing exercise. Writer’s Digest puts writing prompts up on their site to give you ideas for stories. Find them here. There are lots of sites that put up writing prompts. Just do a “creative writing prompts” search online and you’ll find plenty of sites.
When you’re feeling stuck sometimes just changing something will help. Write outside on your porch or at a park if the weather is nice. Go to the library to write.
When I’m feeling stuck about what to write, I find that simply changing the way I’m writing helps a lot. For example, I wrote the first draft for this post in a notebook. I often write by hand when I have trouble getting started. It works for me just about every time.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just write. Don’t look back at it and get all judgmental in the beginning. You’re just trying to start the habit. As you practice you’ll get better. There is always a gap between what you want to do and what you can actually do. That’s healthy. It keeps you growing and striving.
So get to writing and don’t forget to have a good time while you’re doing it.
