Goodreads asked Daniel Connolly:

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Daniel Connolly I don't really have a problem with writer's block. I've always been able to sit down and write something - the only problem I've had is that what I write the first time isn't very good.

Since 2006, I have used a process that I adopted from the writing coach Chip Scanlan. I follow these steps.

First, I quickly write answers to these five questions.

-Why does it matter?
- What’s the point?
- Why is this story being told?
- What does it say about life, about the world, about the times we live in?
- What’s the story really about? (one word!)

With the answers to those five questions in mind, I use a word processor to write a first draft.
2) Then I print out the draft.
3) I read it out loud, word for word.
4) As I read, I mark problems in the text that I need to change, marking them physically on the printout.
5) I fix the problems one by one, revising in the word processor. Sometimes it's as simple as fixing a typo. Other times, I need to check a fact by conducting an interview.
6) Then I repeat those steps over and over, until I either hit my deadline or I'm satisfied with the work.

I do this whether I'm writing a 400-word article or a book.

I learned this process through an online course I took with Chip Scanlan himself, but I looked him up just now and I see that he's co-authored a textbook that you can check out:

http://www.amazon.com/News-Writing-Re...

flag