Laura McBride
I teach composition at a community college, which means that I spend my working life persuading recalcitrant writers to write.
So I use the same tricks I offer my students.
I set a goal - a word count, a number of hours writing without stopping, anything concrete will do - and then I do it. I don't worry about whether I am writing something good or something bad, I don't worry about where the writing will take me next, I don't wonder what will happen if the writing is not right; I don't do anything but stick to my goal and pat myself on the back when I reach it. Also, I add ice cream.
Choose a small task that you know you can do. Do it. Smile. Wait until later to choose another one.
So I use the same tricks I offer my students.
I set a goal - a word count, a number of hours writing without stopping, anything concrete will do - and then I do it. I don't worry about whether I am writing something good or something bad, I don't worry about where the writing will take me next, I don't wonder what will happen if the writing is not right; I don't do anything but stick to my goal and pat myself on the back when I reach it. Also, I add ice cream.
Choose a small task that you know you can do. Do it. Smile. Wait until later to choose another one.
More Answered Questions
Sara
asked
Laura McBride:
Just finished "We Are Called To Rise" and loved it. Thank you -- for both the tears and the small graces that put lives back together again. Toward the end of the book, I found myself expecting (or wanting) just one chapter in Nate's voice. Luis finds himself in one situation after the war, but Nate's is different -- & common, I suspect. Did you consider including Nate's voice? And why not?
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