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Monday, April 11, 2011

Just Write...

When the ideas are flowing and you finally have that well deserved chunk of time to work, the last thing you want to do is let anything get in the way.

The main goal when writing unltimately should be to get your story down on paper. At least when I first start a new MS that is my goal.

So why then does the task seem so difficult?

Oh let me think...I can come up with a few reasons off the top of my head:

Outside disturbances-At my house I am finder of all lost things, homework guru and a referee.

To Do Lists-There is never a dull moment at my house and there is always something to be done.

Daytime Job-As much as I would love to stay at home and work on my writing while the kiddos are at school, I have to work. And as most of you know, by the time you get home from work (if you are like me) formulating cohesive thoughts is quite hard.

My Inner Editor-Ah, yes my pesky inner editor. She likes to rear her ugly head at the most inopportuned of times. I have to admit that I am getting used to ignoring her.

So in order to get my story out, I sit down at my designated time, shut the rest of the world out and write. I write until my time is up and I write without letting my inner editor have a voice. As hard as all of this is for me, I used this strategy on my last ms and it really did help. Of course I still scribble away any chance I can get, but at least I know that during my time I'm being productive.

So what about you? Anything to add? I love advice!

4 comments:

Unknown said...

To-do lists are the WORST! Also other story ideas that only seem to come to the fore when you're writing a new MS. Oy vey...

That's a great way of getting rid of your inner editor! Must remind myself to use it sometime. Great list, Renae :)

Lindsay said...

Great list. I have to get rid of my inner editor as well. I like to put on my playlist, shut the door and write. :)

KerriAnderson77 said...

I thought that I was the only one with the inner editor! She is silent until I get into the groove of writing and then she pops out of the blue and says "change this" "change that" "move this" "that doesn't sound right" How can I just shut her up until I'm ready for her? The to-do list is the never-get-done list because when I cross off one thing the next thing just magically appears in its place. Luckily I'm a stay at home mom, but with six kids that is a full-time job, a part-time job and some volunteer work!

Sondrae Bennett said...

I have the same problems... well except the job. I used to have to contend with that but I had to quit my job when we moved from NY to MI this past winter and I decided not to search for a new one right away. Who knows how long I'll be able to hold out, but I'm enjoying it while I can! I think your advice is good. You just have to set aside time and block everything else from your mind.