Do you want to be a writer, but just can’t bring yourself to sit down to write? I’ve been there. It can be difficult to begin, especially if you do not know how to start.
Writing, like many other activities/hobbies — is something you become better at, with practice. This is why a daily writing practice is so important.
Famous writers such as Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, JK Rowling and David Sedaris all stress the importance of writing daily. So how can you begin? Here are some tips that can help -
- Break down what is holding you back –
Often we hold ourselves back from writing because of some fears deep down. Award-winning choreographer Twyla Tharp in her book ‘The Creative Habit’, breaks these fears down into four different categories:
- Fear of repeating what has already been said — What if it has already been done or said before?
How to respond — It has all been done before! The greatest writers have been inspired by those before them, and it is fine to do that. - Fear of ‘not having anything to say’ — I’ve often felt this fear that I have nothing worth saying, or writing, that it will not be of value to the world.
How to respond — Everyone has something to say, a story to share — you do too! Why not try it first, before assuming your talent or words are not enough? - Fear of upsetting someone you love — This is a tricky one — as you never know how anyone might respond to you or your work.
How to respond — Remind yourself that you are doing your best, and have only good intentions at heart. Visualize the success of your work, and it might just follow. - Fear of not being able to live up to the potential in your mind — We all struggle with this, but the way to beat this fear is to keep going.
How to respond — As Ms Tharp says, “Better an imperfect dome in Florence than cathedrals in the clouds”
These are the most common fears for any artist. Create responses to your fears when they come creeping in, and reiterate them frequently. This way you can begin to get past the barrier your fears present.
2. Set a goal –
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned writer, it can be helpful to set a goal for yourself.
Jeff Goins of TribeWriters — an online writing community, recommends a goal of 500 words a day. I would go one step further and say, if you are an absolute newbie, start with something even smaller, and any goal that feels right to you. Are you okay with writing for 10 minutes a day? 15 minutes? 20 or 30 minutes? Longer? Choose a word limit as per your convenience and comfort.
The important thing is to create a habit, to inculcate consistency in your routine. Once you get more comfortable with writing daily, you can change the goal.
3. Create a setup –
Having a space to write in — a place that you dedicate specifically for this purpose is helpful, especially in the beginning. Over time, you can branch out and write in different locations and setups.
Start with a comfortable space and a medium you can write easily on — pen and paper or laptop. Avoid writing in bed or in a dimly lit or cluttered space, as these can hamper your focus.
Again, this depends on your comfort level and preference — many writers like to sit in noisy cafes to write, some prefer to write with other people for company, while still others like the quiet of their home.
4. Write whenever you can –
If you are like most other writers I know, you probably have another job or at least other responsibilities. You may also find it difficult to find time once the day has officially commenced, with writing pushed further and further down your to-do list.
This is why it is a good idea to create time to write daily. This can be writing the first thing in the morning — if it works for you. You can write whenever you find the free time — as long as you commit a certain amount of time to it — 20 minutes daily.
As you become more proficient and comfortable writing, you can explore what time of day works the best for you.
5. Collect your ideas –
‘What should I write about?’
Many writers are at a loss for words when they’re just starting out. They do not know what to write, they feel like they don’t have anything worthy to say (see fears in point #1). If this is you, you can start with something you saw, read, watched or experienced that day — it can be simple, a few lines written about your breakfast or a bird on your window, anything really, to get the ball rolling.
Popular writer Neil Gaiman offers a good idea for a time like this — maintain a notebook, and carry this book with you at all times. This can be either an actual notebook or an app on your phone. The important thing to have a repository of ideas to come back to, when you are lost for words.
That’s it! I do hope these steps will help you start writing! Let me know what you thought of them in the comments below -
Originally published at http://thisgirlissomewhereelse.wordpress.com on July 14, 2020.
