1. Having skimmed through Atomic Habits, I'm currently pairing writing-time with coffee-time in the hope writing will become as addictive as coffee. Not quite there yet, but it is easier to start.
2. Not sure where to take the story? Pick something random. It's fun, takes the pressure off, and often unexpectedly apt.
3. If I'm stuck, I may be able to force a solution. But sometimes the feeling of stuckness is a sub-conscious signal there's something fundamental wrong with the story, and I need to take a step back and re-evaluate the basics.
Create a ritual around writing so that once the process is complete my mind is primed. I usually write by hand, in the same kind of notebook, with the same pen, in the same spot. The ritual can be flexible and portable but it's a way of priming the pump.
2. Pomodoro Method
Set a timer and push toward a word count or other goal, take a movement break after a few timed sessions. (Since people have already mentioned a walk outside in nature, which I 100 percent agree with, and dancing, I also endorse pushups or jumping on a mini trampoline, which can bring the blood back to a tired brain.)
3. Read widely
Read outside of genre of choice, poetry, non-fiction, humor, fiction from different locations and time periods.
Oh shit - toolkit! Almost forgot. Phillips head, flat head, hammer (because sometimes, it is just a nail), compass, protractor for those sharp angles, a snack, two snacks, water, flares, a thesaurus - and don't afraid, they're intense but harmless - "Down! Sit! No! Uh-uh! Sit! Sit, good boy." And as much ammunition as you can carry. There's your ruck.
As someone who writes poetry I really agree with all the 'get outside and into nature' and the mindful walking / birdwatching / small observations.
When I'm stuck / blocked I'll often pick up a poetry collection or anthology and flick through until a line or idea grabs me. Not to copy, but as a jumping off point. Poetry podcasts also work well, especially if there are poems being read aloud. They don't have to be discussed or picked apart, but just hearing the cadence of the words and emotions embodied can unlock creativity, either in a new direction or as a response.
When putting together ny writing I must be fully dressed clothes and shoe because I am going on a journey for rhythm I must have Miles Davis playing because his sound leads to an unknown place and his pauses are breath and unspoken emotion. You can capture feelings in his methodical playing
Memories....especially the tough ones. I write Medical Mysteries...I think because I've been in the hospital a lot...three long spinal surgeries. All those nurses....those doctors....they have LIVES that can be fantasized as well as the work they do in the OR. Tough, painful memories. Too bad, but it works.
1. Yes to the font. My favorite is Argentinian. It makes the text look like a medieval monk spent all night copying it, which is just enough to jar my brain. I use the font trick when I'm too close to the text.
2. Marginal notes. Sometimes I can't write another word but I can see how certain sections might go, the fact that the final section doesn't work, options for rearranging, etc. I'll finish my writing session by putting those notes in the margin of my Word doc. This gives me a reminder of what I was thinking and a head start for the next session.
3. My wine cellar. Alas, not THAT kind. It's what I call the deliberate act of putting a draft away for multiple weeks in order to get a fresh perspective on it. My to-do list has a "wine cellar" section, where I note the name of the piece and the week ("week of April 15") that I'll take another look. I figure which week purely by feel. If I were really good at this, I'd put drafts away for three months, but I'm not that patient.
Ooh I'll have to try Argentinian! And I also enjoy leaving little notes for my future self in the comments. (Although usually they're something like: "ffs make this better")
1. Little but often: I rarely have more than an hour at a time to write, and I find this is not a bad thing provided I make a regular practice of it. I can be surprisingly productive in short spurts if I’m in the habit. It’s when I have a block of a few hours that I struggle. In those instances I’ll think, oh I have so much time, I’ll take care of this or that first, and then I look up to see the time is gone.
2. Butt anywhere: As opposed to butt in chair. If I’m open to it (and, again, in a regular practice, say at least *looking at* my writing daily), I can write in texts to myself on a walk, in the notes app while commuting, or even get hit with an idea while I’m scrolling mindlessly.
3. Embrace the sh*tty first draft: H/t to Anne Lamott for this one, obviously. In the early stages of a piece/project, it's best to turn off my critic/editor brain and get something down quickly, as ugly as it might look. Then I can go back and edit. I think this can also apply more broadly if you're just getting into/back into writing. Personally, when I started up a writing practice a few years ago, everything I produced was pretty god awful. But I kept going and with time, things got much better.
So far I’ve written two novels, a novella, a linked collection, and assorted essays and flash pieces. For someone who was for many years creatively stuck (aka unwilling to try for fear of looking foolish), this feels like a lot.
This year, I started a newsletter all about my process. If anyone else struggles to keep up with creative/passion projects while also working full-time, juggling family responsibilities, or merely existing in this crazy mixed-up world, please check it out! https://amandanyren.substack.com/
Voicenotes are a great idea - I absolutely agree that getting things out vocally can push those thoughts into a new lane. I think the 'point and call' method is similar and could function well for creative work.
I still don't like hearing my own voice, so my primary tip is to simply NOT WAIT - write those thoughts down as they come to you with whatever you have available. Every idea you have continues to stew as you go about your day/night/week, so it is very important you encourage those ideas to keep doing their thing. Writing it down as the thought comes will help the genius brew.
Dance breaks are another great idea and I wholeheartedly believe that hard work should be balanced with hard play.
My second tip is very similar, just broader. When you hit a block that you know is not something you can chisel through or climb over - just shut it down. Easier said than done sometimes, but put the work away and at your earliest opportunity GTFO of your head. Dance, play rock band, go to a concert and get in the mosh pit, go play in the garden or ride some sand dunes. Whatever your flavor, just have some serious fun. If the ideas come you should write them down, but don't stop having the fun until it's run its course.
Third tip, don't shirk the prompts. Whether you're working on building the habit of writing every day (like I should be) or just looking for inspiration, pull out the textbooks and magazines and read through their prompts. I don't recommend looking online at first unless you can remain hyper-focused on what you're trying to find. You don't have to adhere to it, but prompts are great starting places when a blank page feels overwhelming.
I like all the references to nature and gettin' up in it. Works for me too. I'm a birdwatcher. It's a mindfulness exercise. I love all these ideas and how personal they are each. Each to they're own shall these realms become. Be yourself is the takeaway. Let go.
Went back and re-read the post and I have a few more!
Storing writing: OneNote
As someone just moving from post it notes and journals to trying to keep it all in one place, OneNote has been the best (easiest, simplest) way for me to create nested files so I can just brain dump in categories and then refine them in drafts.
I am not sure if it's the best software to use but it's simplicity is really working for me right now!
How to Learn:
Outside of taking group workshops, I do a lot of my own "curriculum building" by taking a day or two to scour different resources and sites that have lessons and workshops that I felt would be important to learn, made a spreadsheet of those, and then "attended" them like a self-made curriculum.
The only problem with this is knowing how to pull yourself out of the "sourcing" mode into the actual "reading and learning" mode, because truly you could just find resources forever. It needs a bit of discernment in terms of "do I like how this is laid out, does this work with how I like to learn, what is the energy and time investment I would need for this?"
I take a notebook or my phone (depending on the studio etiquette around that) and will have anywhere from 3 to 8 ideas spring up that I can jot down and return to later. I feel like I have my most interesting ideas and plays on words come up when my focus is directed on something very physical and immediate. It feels like it gives my brain a moment to breathe and catch up to the constant chatter that is usually in there.
2. Change of Scenery
I change up where I write often, right now I am really enjoying the environment in my city's Reference Library and have been venturing over there once a week. Cafes, libraries, different parts of the house, soon it will be warm enough to sit outside. The mix of a new view and people watching is great for finding inspiration.
3. Community Involvement
I have been taking multi-week workshops (in person and virtual) to connect with other writers in Toronto, as well as joining some online communities that have virtual write-alongs. Although I have only set up the bones of my SubStack (descriptions and test posts) and have all my writing in drafts, starting a daily habit of visiting SubStack (instead of TikTok) to get motivation has helped me with both my writing and my ideas around my audience and community.
1. Having skimmed through Atomic Habits, I'm currently pairing writing-time with coffee-time in the hope writing will become as addictive as coffee. Not quite there yet, but it is easier to start.
2. Not sure where to take the story? Pick something random. It's fun, takes the pressure off, and often unexpectedly apt.
3. If I'm stuck, I may be able to force a solution. But sometimes the feeling of stuckness is a sub-conscious signal there's something fundamental wrong with the story, and I need to take a step back and re-evaluate the basics.
I needed this today having a Grey day thank you
1. Dedicated time away - We need the time away to work. Whether it's AWAY away or just a few hours at the library, it makes a world of difference.
2. A million emails to me - Literally, because even though I swear "I'll remember that!" I never remember that.
3. Read, read, read then read some more!
1. Ritual
Create a ritual around writing so that once the process is complete my mind is primed. I usually write by hand, in the same kind of notebook, with the same pen, in the same spot. The ritual can be flexible and portable but it's a way of priming the pump.
2. Pomodoro Method
Set a timer and push toward a word count or other goal, take a movement break after a few timed sessions. (Since people have already mentioned a walk outside in nature, which I 100 percent agree with, and dancing, I also endorse pushups or jumping on a mini trampoline, which can bring the blood back to a tired brain.)
3. Read widely
Read outside of genre of choice, poetry, non-fiction, humor, fiction from different locations and time periods.
Oh shit - toolkit! Almost forgot. Phillips head, flat head, hammer (because sometimes, it is just a nail), compass, protractor for those sharp angles, a snack, two snacks, water, flares, a thesaurus - and don't afraid, they're intense but harmless - "Down! Sit! No! Uh-uh! Sit! Sit, good boy." And as much ammunition as you can carry. There's your ruck.
As someone who writes poetry I really agree with all the 'get outside and into nature' and the mindful walking / birdwatching / small observations.
When I'm stuck / blocked I'll often pick up a poetry collection or anthology and flick through until a line or idea grabs me. Not to copy, but as a jumping off point. Poetry podcasts also work well, especially if there are poems being read aloud. They don't have to be discussed or picked apart, but just hearing the cadence of the words and emotions embodied can unlock creativity, either in a new direction or as a response.
Oh yes, love the difference in *hearing* poetry. Sometimes I wander around the house reading aloud to myself, too...
When putting together ny writing I must be fully dressed clothes and shoe because I am going on a journey for rhythm I must have Miles Davis playing because his sound leads to an unknown place and his pauses are breath and unspoken emotion. You can capture feelings in his methodical playing
Thanks all
Thanks to all
Perfection.
JO SO KIND
Thank you Jo
Thanks Emily
That's just like my Ellington Rule...
Oh yes the duke I love to dance to the mooch and all
Memories....especially the tough ones. I write Medical Mysteries...I think because I've been in the hospital a lot...three long spinal surgeries. All those nurses....those doctors....they have LIVES that can be fantasized as well as the work they do in the OR. Tough, painful memories. Too bad, but it works.
'Too bad, but it works.'
Write what you know, soulja say. When you wake up and what you worked to build the day before is still standing.
Oof, go gently through those memories.
1. Yes to the font. My favorite is Argentinian. It makes the text look like a medieval monk spent all night copying it, which is just enough to jar my brain. I use the font trick when I'm too close to the text.
2. Marginal notes. Sometimes I can't write another word but I can see how certain sections might go, the fact that the final section doesn't work, options for rearranging, etc. I'll finish my writing session by putting those notes in the margin of my Word doc. This gives me a reminder of what I was thinking and a head start for the next session.
3. My wine cellar. Alas, not THAT kind. It's what I call the deliberate act of putting a draft away for multiple weeks in order to get a fresh perspective on it. My to-do list has a "wine cellar" section, where I note the name of the piece and the week ("week of April 15") that I'll take another look. I figure which week purely by feel. If I were really good at this, I'd put drafts away for three months, but I'm not that patient.
Ooh I'll have to try Argentinian! And I also enjoy leaving little notes for my future self in the comments. (Although usually they're something like: "ffs make this better")
ffs--the longer, out-loud version--has become one of my favorite expressions.
1. Little but often: I rarely have more than an hour at a time to write, and I find this is not a bad thing provided I make a regular practice of it. I can be surprisingly productive in short spurts if I’m in the habit. It’s when I have a block of a few hours that I struggle. In those instances I’ll think, oh I have so much time, I’ll take care of this or that first, and then I look up to see the time is gone.
2. Butt anywhere: As opposed to butt in chair. If I’m open to it (and, again, in a regular practice, say at least *looking at* my writing daily), I can write in texts to myself on a walk, in the notes app while commuting, or even get hit with an idea while I’m scrolling mindlessly.
3. Embrace the sh*tty first draft: H/t to Anne Lamott for this one, obviously. In the early stages of a piece/project, it's best to turn off my critic/editor brain and get something down quickly, as ugly as it might look. Then I can go back and edit. I think this can also apply more broadly if you're just getting into/back into writing. Personally, when I started up a writing practice a few years ago, everything I produced was pretty god awful. But I kept going and with time, things got much better.
So far I’ve written two novels, a novella, a linked collection, and assorted essays and flash pieces. For someone who was for many years creatively stuck (aka unwilling to try for fear of looking foolish), this feels like a lot.
This year, I started a newsletter all about my process. If anyone else struggles to keep up with creative/passion projects while also working full-time, juggling family responsibilities, or merely existing in this crazy mixed-up world, please check it out! https://amandanyren.substack.com/
Butt anywhere! Amen. I think changing up your writing spot helps a lot sometimes.
Voicenotes are a great idea - I absolutely agree that getting things out vocally can push those thoughts into a new lane. I think the 'point and call' method is similar and could function well for creative work.
I still don't like hearing my own voice, so my primary tip is to simply NOT WAIT - write those thoughts down as they come to you with whatever you have available. Every idea you have continues to stew as you go about your day/night/week, so it is very important you encourage those ideas to keep doing their thing. Writing it down as the thought comes will help the genius brew.
Dance breaks are another great idea and I wholeheartedly believe that hard work should be balanced with hard play.
My second tip is very similar, just broader. When you hit a block that you know is not something you can chisel through or climb over - just shut it down. Easier said than done sometimes, but put the work away and at your earliest opportunity GTFO of your head. Dance, play rock band, go to a concert and get in the mosh pit, go play in the garden or ride some sand dunes. Whatever your flavor, just have some serious fun. If the ideas come you should write them down, but don't stop having the fun until it's run its course.
Third tip, don't shirk the prompts. Whether you're working on building the habit of writing every day (like I should be) or just looking for inspiration, pull out the textbooks and magazines and read through their prompts. I don't recommend looking online at first unless you can remain hyper-focused on what you're trying to find. You don't have to adhere to it, but prompts are great starting places when a blank page feels overwhelming.
Just. Shut. It. Down.
Amen.
I like all the references to nature and gettin' up in it. Works for me too. I'm a birdwatcher. It's a mindfulness exercise. I love all these ideas and how personal they are each. Each to they're own shall these realms become. Be yourself is the takeaway. Let go.
Agreed! We all need to go touch some grass, clearly.
I have just one. A leisurely walk in nature. That seems to clear my thoughts and allows space for new ideas and prompts
Yep, every time.
Went back and re-read the post and I have a few more!
Storing writing: OneNote
As someone just moving from post it notes and journals to trying to keep it all in one place, OneNote has been the best (easiest, simplest) way for me to create nested files so I can just brain dump in categories and then refine them in drafts.
I am not sure if it's the best software to use but it's simplicity is really working for me right now!
How to Learn:
Outside of taking group workshops, I do a lot of my own "curriculum building" by taking a day or two to scour different resources and sites that have lessons and workshops that I felt would be important to learn, made a spreadsheet of those, and then "attended" them like a self-made curriculum.
The only problem with this is knowing how to pull yourself out of the "sourcing" mode into the actual "reading and learning" mode, because truly you could just find resources forever. It needs a bit of discernment in terms of "do I like how this is laid out, does this work with how I like to learn, what is the energy and time investment I would need for this?"
Ahh yes I could happily disappear into a research rabbit hole for the rest of my days!
love "change the font!" such a simple trick but it works!
1. Exercise and Movement
I take a notebook or my phone (depending on the studio etiquette around that) and will have anywhere from 3 to 8 ideas spring up that I can jot down and return to later. I feel like I have my most interesting ideas and plays on words come up when my focus is directed on something very physical and immediate. It feels like it gives my brain a moment to breathe and catch up to the constant chatter that is usually in there.
2. Change of Scenery
I change up where I write often, right now I am really enjoying the environment in my city's Reference Library and have been venturing over there once a week. Cafes, libraries, different parts of the house, soon it will be warm enough to sit outside. The mix of a new view and people watching is great for finding inspiration.
3. Community Involvement
I have been taking multi-week workshops (in person and virtual) to connect with other writers in Toronto, as well as joining some online communities that have virtual write-alongs. Although I have only set up the bones of my SubStack (descriptions and test posts) and have all my writing in drafts, starting a daily habit of visiting SubStack (instead of TikTok) to get motivation has helped me with both my writing and my ideas around my audience and community.
Great tips, thank you for sharing!