| |
| |
|
Writing Information |
|
|
|
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 I would like to focus on is how similar Writing and Programming are. Both are creative. Both require adhering to some type of structure. Both require that you are aware of who the audience is. And both require discipline and focus! And those who are both writers and programmers are either nuts, or very driven. I haven't quite figured out which category I fit into. Although my wife will place me into the former. ;) I have discovered over the years that the discipline that I've learned by doing programming has directly applied to my discipline for writing. In both situations, a clear goal has to be established. You have to know where you're going in order to get there. True, there are some writers (specifically in the fiction genre) who can just sit down and write, without having any plan, outline, or goal in mind. But when it comes to non-fiction writing and programming, a plan, outline, and/or goal is an absolute necessity! In programming, it's a specifications document. In non-fiction writing, it's an outline. Both require some analysis and forethought about what the end result is supposed to be. Once the plan is in place, then the next step is doing the actual work. This is when we discover how passionate we really are about the task at hand. If you're passionate about the project then it's easy to sit down and just start cranking out words. Have you ever gotten up in the middle of the night to go and sit down at the computer and start working? That's passion! (Or one too many energy drinks!) Are you writing code while gazing at your date across the dinner table? That's passion too, but not the kind your date would like. But the point is, that type of passion about a programming or writing project can carry you a long way toward completion. But what do you do when the steam dies down? I'm talking about those times when you sit down at the computer and just stare at the screen. It happens to all of us. You then start looking for excuses or other things to do. "Humm, my desk is a mess!" There goes a couple hours of organizing the desk and office. "Oh, more email." There's another hour or two, reading and responding to emails. Then there's the lure of web surfing. "I need to do a little research!" Write off another 2 to 4 hours. Next thing you know, you've spent the entire day sitting at your computer but haven't made any progress on your project. What do you do? Well, go back to thinking about why you're passionate about the project. It could be money - what will you buy when you get paid for the project? Or it could be the accomplishment - being able to say that you've written an application that solved a major problem for your customer. How about a little fame? Anyone who's been in the computer industry for awhile knows who Dan Appleman is. He's just some guy who decided to write a valuable set of books for programmers. Whatever it is that makes you passionate about the project - think on it. Dwell on it! Meditate on it! "Be the ball," as Bill Murry said in the movie, "Caddy Shack." If you saw the movie, you'll know what I mean. The other way to get there is through discipline and experience. When I started writing my first book, I was very passionate about it - at least through the proposal, outline, and first couple chapters. Then it became that four letter word - "work." The next couple chapters were tough. I had to force myself to get into being productive. Each time I sat down at the computer, it would take me from 30 minutes to an hour just to get back into the swing of things. But, I did do it. I made a schedule for myself. At the time, I was working a full time job. I set my mind to following the schedule and not let anything get in the way. After work, I would grab a light dinner. Then I would take a one hour nap. Then I would get up, sit down at the computer, and crank out words for the next 4 hours. I would do this for at least 4 days a week. It didn't take long for me to be able to just sit down and start writing. The book was completed and I gained a great sense of satisfaction knowing that I had reached a major milestone that all potential writers seek to have - the first completed book! Thanks to that experience, and the additional writing that I've done since then, I've been able to get myself into the right mental state for writing whenever it is needed. I still work out a plan. But when I sit down to write - I write! So, next time you take your date or spouse out for dinner - don't write code while you're there. Enjoy the time with your companion and your dinner. Then, when you sit down at the computer to write - just do it! And if you can't, stay there until you do. Eventually, you'll get to the point where the discipline, the passion, and the experience will all come together. And you will have that magic moment that all programmers and writers seek - the perfect flow of creativity for bringing life to your book, story, article, or application. Keep the passion! Timothy Trimble, The ART of Software Development Timothy Trimble is a award winning, freelance writer, and software developer. He has written a book for Microsoft Press and over 35 articles for significant computer industry trade magazines. He is the Blog publisher of The ART of Software Development which can be found via his web site at http://www.timothytrimble.info
MORE RESOURCES:
Writing - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Time to Write SO YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER?Many people have entertained the idea of being a writer. They feel the passion to write. Message to Online Writers: Dont Give Up On A Good Idea The writing community is a strong one, with many new "members" joining daily. All theser writers are finding or looking for their particular niches. Why Should You Use Worksheets For Proofreading? Proofreading worksheets are a great tool to help individuals open their eyes to the mistakes that are commonly made. These are used to help teach a person how to spot mistakes in copy. 7 Ways to Turn Readers Into Friends Back in my school days, if the teacher demanded a term paper I knew just what to do. I quickly researched the report, and wrote it as fast as I could. Writing Is Not Life-threatening Some writers complain that writing is arduous work requiring long hours and little pay, which is often true especially for freelance fiction writers. Today, everyone wants to be a writer and with word processors and computers it is easy to put thoughts down, but it is not always effortless to be published unless one self-publishes or uses a vanity press. Writers Block is No Longer a Problem "If you're like me, than I'm sure you're pretty familiar with the well-known writer's block.From time to time, when you have to start writing something, be it an article, an ebook, or just a letter, there is that moment when you just stare at the blank sheet of paper (or at the vibrant colors of your monitor) and nothing seems to come out from your mind. Screenwriting - The Value of Structure Structure in the form of frameworks, work processes and goals enhances creative output:a) Short term goals (incremental productivity) produce more output than a "do your best" approach. Writing four pages a day completes a words-on-paper first draft screenplay in one month. A Writers Personal Cheer Squad We all need a cheer squad.We all need people to say 'Good on you!'; 'Way to go!'; 'You've done a great job'; 'You're really on the way. Creative Writing Do you consider yourself a storyteller? Do you consider yourself a writer? Were you always the student in school that the teacher chose to read your creative writing out loud to the rest of the class? Believe it or not these skills can land you a very good job in Washington D.C. The Importance of Writing Clearly for Business Creating written documents reveals so much about you and your business skills. Your writing tells the reader about your educational background, pride in your work and business expertise. Formats for Writing Life Narratives Q and A.Best choice when subject is very verbal or there are two or more people being interviewed or taped at the same time. 8 Tips to Get Publishers to Notice You If your articles aren't getting published very often, or you just want to increase the chances of them being published, then you will benefit from the tips in this article.1. Dreading the Writing Assignment? Outlines to the Rescue Writing technical articles is a challenge. There you sit, surrounded by reams of research, notes and interviews. Is Your Title Compelling? Short Story Writing Tips:Your title is your selling tool. It's the first thing readers will scan and contemplate whether to read your story. Nobody Likes A Rambler We all know people who ramble. They include every boring and insignificant detail, speak in five-minute-long sentences and take forever to get to the point. Greatness [When I was a nineteen-year-old high school student and budding poet - two years after my diving accident] many factors adversely affected my creativity. My trips in a special bus to school and back home, my courses, and my assignments, though I was spared a lot of writing and was mostly tested orally, all this was time-consuming. 7 Reference Books for Your Desk I hate to admit this, but I rarely get an original idea. That's bad for a writer. Why Book Writers Need A Running Mate By far, I have found that the lack of discipline is the biggest hindrance for most people, when it comes to writing a book of any kind. Although I urge you as a would-be writer to develop a theme because once you are clear on "why" you want to write a book, your motivational level will shift into a higher gear, I also urge you to get an accountability partner. I Am Biodegradable - My Writing Is Not My dad was wrong. I just discovered that I am good for nuthin' after all. Beginnings Just about everyone is familiar with this beginning: "In the beginning God created the heavens and earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep .
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
