The Word Cloud

One piece of advice that seems to stand out from all the tips I've read so far, is the tip of writing every even if just for a few minutes so one can get into the habbit of writing all the time. I've decided to take up this challenge and write something everyday even though it's just me journalling. I was just curious as to what other members think about this and if they do practise this, do they just write about anything they fancy?

My concern is that I may just end up journalling my experiences without actually writing anything of substance. Any thoughts anyone?

Yes plenty. I agree it is essential to practise regular writing. Essential to be able to improve, essential to reach your full potential as a writer. The downside is - it's hard work. There will be distractions that seem more attractive - journalling or critiquing on this site is one. Many fail to accomplish their aims - because the distractions outweigh the slog.

It is also essential to plan in breaks from writing.
Why?
Because it give the mind time to regenerate, and absorb new ideas - this is a reflective necessity... Allows your creative energy to re-engage, regain momentum...

stephen

I write 250 words most days on my WIP, except for Saturdays. It works for me to have one day a week off to have a think about things. Often I write more than the 250 - if a deadline is sprinting towards me, then it's a lot more! This lets me keep things ticking off without putting goals on myself that I have no chance of hitting after work and commuting.

I do agree - keep those muscles oiled. Malcolm Bradbury, who founded the UEA MA so knew a lot about learnign to write quite apart from his own stuff, said that the way to become a writer was to keep a journal for a year. Not a diary, but to practice writing something thoughtful about what life contained, every day. For the habit, as much as anything. Blogging could be the modern equivalent, as long as the blogging isn't just a collection of links, but actually has a bit of thought about it.

But I don't think status updates really count! On the other hand, trying to say something complex in a 140 word Tweet, without become incomprehensible, is actually a very interesting and worthwhile little exercise.

The other reason is that it helps you to know, at a gut level, that little bits of writing time add up, if they're frequent, to something substantial. It's perfectly possible to write the first draft of a whole novel in an hour a day. Half an hour a day, indeed, if it really is every day. You don't need four hours before it's 'worth it' to start.

Emma

I am actually trying this for my first book and am very impressed because it has allowed me to achieve my outline. I did 30 minutes a day on average throughout the second half of february. And yes it is only the skeleton of the book I have done. But it is the only time I ever have got this far into any story that I come up with. I even started at the end for once. I have managed to work out how am getting to the end. I even have a message. All other times I have tried writing, I got half way down the first page and gave up so to speak. Though did start a story the other year but got myself scared as it looked like it might actually happen. Then I got into a twist about what I can and cannot do with the story because I wanted some of it to be historical.
But this time I really have developed a foundation for the whole story and hope to be able to flesh it out a whole lot more. I hope so anyways. I have had a break today and some time will need to get started on filling it out somewhat more. Is it silly being soooo pleased at having go so far?
The biggest thing I have read is that all writers have that confidence drop? That is natural apparently? Though when ones self worth is shakey at the best of times its just more challenging thats all. So this time I stuck a photo in the front of the book and wrote, confidence is the key to making things happen. I study that when I think my writing wouldn't even make a short story etc. I try to enjoy these negative moments as much because it is all part of it. This story will not get thrown away, and I hope no one gets there before I do with it? I hope to be the first on what I have written about. And I hope that by being on here I will stick to it. Saving up to self publish is its own challenge when on benefit. But I really think standard publishers won't touch it through not being marketable enough perhaps. I don't want to wait and wait and wait. I'd rather save and save and save and achieve a secret ambition of become a published author even if through author house. My chosen self publisher for now. I just wish I could save up faster though it helps me edit the book more carefully......
I have waffled on....

I try to do something most days, but at present the word rate is not high. I was barbequing some fish yesterday when my neighbour stuck her Finnish head through the plants and asked, 'What is that stench?' I wasn't insulted. Stench. That was it, the best word for my rotting corpse scene. Why hadn't I used it? Probably because I'm going through the WB - you like that? Writer's Block - thing. But her use of stench cheered me up & immeadiately dinner was done, I went inside and used it. So just one word yesterday and as you can see, a lot more already today.

Oh ho ho ho ho.

Does it matter what, exactly, you write?

For instance, I'm currently in self-imposed exile on the Polish border. Somebody gave me their house to write in. The idea being that, without distraction, I could complete a masterpiece.

Have I written every day? Yes!

The book? - Don't be silly. Would I be on here if that were the case? ;)

I have blogged, forumed, procrastinated in post-communist bars with orange gnomes (don't ask) - but can I force myself to write every day? No. And I don't think it's entirely healthy - well, not for me at least. Imagination isn't a lapdog. It can't be called to heel whenever we so choose. When it is, well, more often than not it leaves something rather unpleasant on the carpet :)

But I dully acknowledge that everybody's style is completely different. You only need the Myers-Briggs test to tell you that. Routine just isn't the way my brain works, but, once the muse bites, I can churn out 10,000 in a day. Other days I'll write not one jot. It doesn't really bother me, I've learned that this is just my natural biorhythm. At least I know when it's not going to happen and I can get on with other things, rather than staring into my screen like scrying bowl, trying to divine inspiration. Forcing yourself to write every day can lead to resentment of something you once loved.

However. Having said all that. I think Charlie Brooker nailed it. The best way to successfully churn out pages, is in a state of blind panic:

Forget those creative writing workshops. If you want to write, get threatened

Works a treat ;)

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Perhaps I even duly acknowledge it... *sigh*

Erm...I can't seem to delete or edit the post above to remove the code. Can one of the mods do it please?