How to Write When All Else Fails…In 5 Steps
In my day to day Twittering and blog reading I see people having troubles writing. Lightning struck and I realized that I should share some tips I use to get the words out. Your mileage may vary, but this is what works for me.
Five Tips for Writing
1. Write. Yeah, how, I know. Sometimes it doesn't matter – write something else. A blog, a diary entry, a short paper on why you want to be a writer, a big of flash fiction of how you'd expect your day to go if you were a chihuahua.
2. Starting a book. I've read it plenty of times and I subscribe to it. Start with an earthquake and end with an explosion. Not literally (unless it fits the story), but suck the reader in immediately and hook them. A scene with a lot of emotion or some sort of intense moment can leave a reader powerless to look away. Then again so can a train wreck, and there are plenty of those kinds of books out there too…
3. Starting a sentence. Really? You need help starting a sentence. I've started four now on this point alone. Do you have trouble talking too? Stop over-analyzing and just let it flow.
4. Hitting n many words in a day. I read some articles and letters from R.A. Heinlein to budding authors where he suggested setting aside at least an hour a day for writing and writing whatever it is that they can. I subscribed to that for a while and perhaps that helped me get to the point where when I've got time to write, I write. If that's what it takes for anybody else to get to that point then try it out. Block out the world and explain to your world that this is important to you and you need to do it. If you don't have the support in place for your addiction – excuse me – obsession, then I'd suggest better communication with that support staff or finding a new one.
5. Write! Covered this I suppose, but the point is that's what it's all about. If you don't write then you don't finish anything. If you don't finish anything you might as well be a mime and we all know how obnoxious those people can be!
That's it, only five steps. No bonus, no magic pill or words or wand to offer that will solve your problems. It's a tough road and not one for the weak-willed. Fight for it if you want it and you'll find a way.
What makes me good enough to offer these tips? Well I guess it's a subjective matter. There are best-selling authors out there that I don't think deserve a tenth of what they get – but clearly nobody asked my opinion because they're living the life, not me! I've got eight novels published with my ninth and tenth coming soon. Eleventh as well, come to think of it. What's more I have yet to receive a review below four stars on anything I've written and a few fives as well. I haven't hit big sales numbers yet but that's okay – this is tips on writing, not on marketing! When I figure out how to sell 100+ books a month (or better yet, 100+ a day), THEN I'll be offering marketing tips as well!
Cut the complications and crap - Just Write!
