| |
| |
|
Writing Information |
|
|
|
Timer Magic for Writers
If your writing muscle isn't in shape, writing a novel may seem like a sheer, unscalable cliff. ("Gee, I don't think I can write today. I left my climbing shoes in my other backpack...") Keep in mind that you don't need to write the whole book today, so stop beating yourself up. Instead, just start moving, one footstep at a time. One of my favorite writing tools is a timer. My author clients and I swear by ours, and "timer magic" can work for almost any task that's looming over you. (Remember the old joke about how to eat an elephant? One bite at a time!) Get a timer and set it for fifteen minutes. C'mon, fifteen minutes-you can do anything for that long. Promise yourself these two things: (1) you'll be in your chair, and (2) you'll be willing to write during that time. Even if you're afraid you'll be staring at a blank screen, do it. That's your agreement. Now: butt in chair, hands on keyboard, set the timer, and go. Write down anything that comes to you-snippets of dialogue, ideas for an opening paragraph, why your heroine scratches her nose when she's nervous and hates velvet. Anything. Don't censor it. When the timer goes off, you're free to stop. You've done what you pledged-writing time in that chair. Congratulations! Now take a reward. Will it be a bowl of Rocky Road ice cream? Half an hour of guilt-free reading of a favorite author's new book? Do what feels good, and choose something that will motivate you next time. Next, decide exactly when that time will be (make it soon). If you're in the middle of a juicy paragraph and want to complete it, do. You can always set the timer for another fifteen minutes to keep going. Then do something extra nice for yourself. You earned it! As fifteen minutes becomes a habit, add more minutes to the timer to increase your momentum. Soon you'll be zipping along. Remember: it takes only one step to start a journey, and small steps can take you anywhere you want to go. Katey Coffing, Ph.D. © 2004 All Rights Reserved About The Author Katey Coffing, Ph.D. is a novelist and book coach who helps women delight in writing (and finishing!) their books. Visit her at http://www.Women-Ink.com/. To receive additional articles and tips for women writers, subscribe to Katey's ezine, The Write Calling, at http://www.Women-Ink.com/the-write-calling.htm. WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Please do, as long as you include the above short bio and blurb with it. (A short note to Katey to let her know would be appreciated! Contact her at https://www.hform.com/form.cgi?1717945)
MORE RESOURCES:
Writing - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Writing and Self-examination Good writing requires self-examination. Why is one writing? What part of the writer will be shared with readers? Will it be only information or will it include the essence of the writer? This, then determines what will be written: poetry, essays, articles, short stories, novels, or any other genre of writing. How to Get Free Publicity in In-flight Magazines If you're targeting an educated, more affluent audience with your message, and your topic is a good fit, in-flight magazines can be one of your best publicity tools.A quick look at the statistics should convince you:--Many of these magazines have high circulations. Talent or Toil As in all endeavors, toil is necessary to succeed and more so in writing. Work or its habit is the mother of talent. Why Every Freelancer Should Have A Web Site "Do I send samples, a media kit, or just the query, postcard and/or sales letter?" As a freelancer, when you are trying to reach new clients or stay in touch with old ones, how to approach the contact can be a sticky, confusing, discombobulating journey. Having a web site can solve all of these situations. Becoming a Writer The urge to write fiction seems God given for some, a learned skill for others.One thing is certain - it requires practice and a particular mindset. Mexican Living: Pasatiempo It occurred to me one day that I needed something to do with my time when I wasn't writing. You know--something to divert myself so more writing ideas could come to mind. Timer Magic for Writers If your writing muscle isn't in shape, writing a novel may seem like a sheer, unscalable cliff. ("Gee, I don't think I can write today. Use These 3 Editing Tips to Ensure Your Writing Hits the Bull's-Eye The first step in the writing process is to put your ideas down on paper. Once you have text to work with, the second step is to revise what you have written to make it as clear, accurate and powerful as you can. Write For Yourself First It would be very selfless or noble of me to tell you that I have created my web site only to help you and the rest of humanity. The reason for me spending so much time and energy into my writing and this site is selfish. Writing the PDA Way When we think of writing it triggers many thoughts and visions depending on our framing. It could trigger a lone man with a full astray, unshaven, staring at an old plunking typewriter with white blank crisp paper waiting in anticipation for his words. Could Your Book Idea Be the Next Best Seller? Everyone has a unique story to tell. From explaining business processes to revealing our personal history, we all have a natural desire to share our experiences with the world. Finish Your Book Already! I owe the completion and success of my book to a big cardboard box that saw me through the entire process. I found this box and filled it with any and all information I could find on my topic 'advanced presentation skills for speakers and business presenters. The Writing Club Typically when falling asleep in bed at night great thoughts enter the mind, long stringed and meaningful sentences trip over each other to receive attention at the front of the brain alongside all the brilliant findings, results, meanings that speak volumes and hard hitting phrases that are just the ticket to open the door to success. The last thought in the brain before sleep overrides this brilliant future work is, "must use that tomorrow". Seven Suggestions To Develop a Superb Writing Style Every writer eventually develops her own unique style of writing. As you struggle to create your own voice, while focusing on the required standards, you may want to consider the following tips for improving your style and establishing a professional formula for success. For Beginners: Ten Ways To Prepare To Get Published (Skip directly to ten for the fastest shortcut!)Like any field, excellent writing requires study, practice and mentorship. Very few successful authors ever published their first draft of their first work. Screenwriting, Screenplays, Screenwriters - Good Ideas for Stories The principle for writing good screenplays begins with good idea generation and then the use of structure to extrapolate that idea into a coherent story.Sources of Good Ideas a) Ideas that push cultural boundaries work well. Passionate About Writing? I'm a writing fool! 2 book proposals, 1 user's guide, a business technology analysis paper, and a FileMaker Pro 7 application! Can you say, "RedBull?" Actually, my preferred energy drink of choice is Monster. But I'll save my energy drinks discussion for another time. What Nationally Published Columnist, Cindy Laferle Has To Say About Writing & Journalism Today Norm Goldman, Editor of sketchandtravel and bookpleasures is honored to have as a guest, the nationally published newspaper columnist and author, Cindy LaFerle. Cindy recently published a book entitled, Writing Home, a collection of essays focusing on home, family and motherhood. Leveraging Your Writing A frequent conversation I have with my writing clients is how to best utilize their writing to gain more exposure and to create more income. If there is one thing that will accomplish both of these objectives, it's learning how to leverage your writing. Every Result is an Asset Not long ago, I went to an Internet Marketing Seminar. One of the speakers was John Reese, a man who set the Internet world abuzz in August 2004 by achieving the amazing result of just over a million dollars worth of sales in 18 hours.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
