How To Jumpstart Your Next Writing Session

I have always enjoyed writing. Sometimes it’s a problem for me to just sit down and write something. There are days when I choose “procrastinating” over “proactive.” Putting things off is common with everyone. I am very gifted in this area. ;) nHere are 4 areas to focus on to jumpstart your next writing session. n• Concentration n• Preparation n• The First Word n• Use your notebook nConcentration: nThere are way too many distractions. Cell phones ringing, blaring car alarms and unexpected visitors are just a few things that can disrupt your concentration. It then becomes easier to justify not writing today. nThe best thing to do to encourage creative writing is to make it a ritual. Find a nice spot to write, maybe, in a quiet room in your home where you will be left undisturbed for a period of time. Set a time to work; a scheduled time to write. Stick to it. nKeep reference books and materials close to hand. nFocus on one idea at a time. nView your next writing session as an opportunity; an opportunity to do something you enjoy. It can be fun. And when you are having fun nobody ever has to tell you to “concentrate!” nPreparation nOnce you have your topic: Google it. Read everything you can online and offline related to your idea. Search the net for testimonials, reviews and articles about your topic. Brainstorm related sub-topics. nGive it a rest. Let your subconscious mind percolate and play with the information you provided. Get some exercise. Some of my best ideas come to me while I am out walking around in the evening. nGetting Started nWhere to begin? That blank page staring back can be intimidating. nJust dive right in there! nType the word “The.” nType the next word (the first thing that pops into your mind) and the next word. nAt this point, quality is not important. You just want to create a “flow” where the words come easily. nDon’t stop to edit. Save all your corrections for the second draft. Resist the impulse to rewrite. That will only interrupt the flow and is another way to avoid the task at hand. nIf you are like me you will have a 2nd, third and fourth draft. You have to get your first draft completed before your have anything to rewrite! Stay focused. nCarry a Notebook nAs a creative writer, you will be “hit” by odd ideas and notions in the oddest of places. nMaybe you are stuck in traffic or brushing your teeth when inspiration strikes. nYou could wake from a dream and have a killer idea. n“ I’ll remember that.” We say to ourselves, but when next we write there is no access to that memory file. nJust use a notebook. Jot those things down as they come to you. It only takes a moment. nCapture all your of your ideas as they transpire. Who knows? One of them may be the “Next Big Thing!” n