The best writing advice I've been given and that I have to offer is to not be afraid to try something new or different or something that scares you. So often that is where the magic is!
All things so true—that time really adds up!—though I find it hard to write if I can’t get a stretch of at least 45 minutes (takes me a while to get in the zone) but yes the chunks add up!
The best advice I ever got for writing was actually the entire concept of a book I once read but now can’t remember. The idea was you just write really fast telling the story and don’t worry about sounding nice, grammar, etc. You just get the story down on paper and then you can go back and make it sound pretty and fill in the blanks. This was nice changing for me and how I finished my first novel and proved to myself I really could do it! I no longer really have to do that, but for new authors starting out (or seasoned authors stuck in a rut), it can help! I always find it easier and more fun to edit something crappy into something beautiful rather than get it beautiful in the first try (though it’s so nice when the latter happens).
No, but I love that title. I briefly tried looking it up but nothing was ringing a bell—though it did make me realize there are scores of similar books out there!
I'm not sure what book it is, but it sounds like fast drafting. Might be something from the collection James Scott Bell does? Or even the book NaNoWriMo put out a long time ago. This is definitely how I wrote my first few books. It helps SO much. And yes to editing something crappy into something beautiful 😂
@Jessica Payne @Leigh Stein I found it in my Amazon order history (from 7 years ago lol)! It’s 5,000 Words Per Hour: Write Faster, Write Smarter by Chris Fox.
I’m not a parent, but I just wanted to say that all of this advice applies pretty well for anyone who is very busy! I work a full-time corporate job while pursuing a separate career in literature academia, and making good use of stolen moments is 🔑
A change of scenery is vital - even for a couple of hours. I highly recommend your local library. It should be quiet with work desks. Only downside - you are surrounded by books which can be distracting!
Thanks for including me in this, and I love all this advice. I have a milestone birthday coming up in the next couple of years and I'm hoping to make a writing retreat happen around it :)
Thank you so much for including me! It was great to see everyone else's tips and the similaritis between methods that work. AND thank you for recommending the Keira D'Amato book, I've loved watching her career take off but didn't know she had a book out! Ordering immediately.
I haven't, but I'm looking it up right now! My claim to fame is when I was down at the beach outside of San Diego, I saw Des and her training partner running! She looked so strong!
1) writing on my phone in google docs whenever I have 5-10 minutes. I wrote one of the best scenes in my novel while in the school pickup lane.
2) combining writing and exercise. I can write while walking very slowly on my walking pad. The minute my son is in bed, I get on and write from 8:00-10:00 every night. 12,000 steps later, I’ve done my writing and my walking for the day. (This has been harder as of late as my IVF meds are knocking me for a loop but I hope to get back to it!).
I need to learn to voice dictate, I feel like I constantly have ideas while driving that I want to save. Weirdly driving is the most creative time for me 🤷🏽♀️
Oh, I'm so impressed by both of these! I DO "write" with voice to text, but I struggle to type fast enough on my little phone. But I love that you wrote your best scenes that way! And I've been thinking about getting a walking pad for my standing desk. Do you love the one you have? I'd love a recommendation!
I can walk at about 2.5-3 MPH if I am reading or talking on a call. I thought I couldn’t write while walking but then I discovered I just have to go verrrrrry slowly. But some movement is better than no movement!!
The best writing advice I've been given and that I have to offer is to not be afraid to try something new or different or something that scares you. So often that is where the magic is!
All things so true—that time really adds up!—though I find it hard to write if I can’t get a stretch of at least 45 minutes (takes me a while to get in the zone) but yes the chunks add up!
The best advice I ever got for writing was actually the entire concept of a book I once read but now can’t remember. The idea was you just write really fast telling the story and don’t worry about sounding nice, grammar, etc. You just get the story down on paper and then you can go back and make it sound pretty and fill in the blanks. This was nice changing for me and how I finished my first novel and proved to myself I really could do it! I no longer really have to do that, but for new authors starting out (or seasoned authors stuck in a rut), it can help! I always find it easier and more fun to edit something crappy into something beautiful rather than get it beautiful in the first try (though it’s so nice when the latter happens).
maybe you’re thinking of shitty first drafts from Anne Lamott’s book Bird by Bird?
No, but I love that title. I briefly tried looking it up but nothing was ringing a bell—though it did make me realize there are scores of similar books out there!
I'm not sure what book it is, but it sounds like fast drafting. Might be something from the collection James Scott Bell does? Or even the book NaNoWriMo put out a long time ago. This is definitely how I wrote my first few books. It helps SO much. And yes to editing something crappy into something beautiful 😂
@Jessica Payne @Leigh Stein I found it in my Amazon order history (from 7 years ago lol)! It’s 5,000 Words Per Hour: Write Faster, Write Smarter by Chris Fox.
that title scares me 😂
Scares me too!! 😳
I’m not a parent, but I just wanted to say that all of this advice applies pretty well for anyone who is very busy! I work a full-time corporate job while pursuing a separate career in literature academia, and making good use of stolen moments is 🔑
A change of scenery is vital - even for a couple of hours. I highly recommend your local library. It should be quiet with work desks. Only downside - you are surrounded by books which can be distracting!
I love the library for working! Even with distractions 🥰
Thanks for including me in this, and I love all this advice. I have a milestone birthday coming up in the next couple of years and I'm hoping to make a writing retreat happen around it :)
Yes!! Do it!
Thank you so much for including me! It was great to see everyone else's tips and the similaritis between methods that work. AND thank you for recommending the Keira D'Amato book, I've loved watching her career take off but didn't know she had a book out! Ordering immediately.
Thank you, Caitlin! And YES, it's so good. Would love to discuss after you read!
Have you read Des Linden's book CHOOSE TO RUN? I really enjoyed that one as well, and she's writing a follow-up.
I haven't, but I'm looking it up right now! My claim to fame is when I was down at the beach outside of San Diego, I saw Des and her training partner running! She looked so strong!
I have found two things that really help:
1) writing on my phone in google docs whenever I have 5-10 minutes. I wrote one of the best scenes in my novel while in the school pickup lane.
2) combining writing and exercise. I can write while walking very slowly on my walking pad. The minute my son is in bed, I get on and write from 8:00-10:00 every night. 12,000 steps later, I’ve done my writing and my walking for the day. (This has been harder as of late as my IVF meds are knocking me for a loop but I hope to get back to it!).
I do #2 as well! I usually voice dictate while I walk and it's very satisfying, as you said, to get steps and writing done at the same time.
I do voice dictation, too! Sometimes it's fun for dialogue--trying to figure out how a character would talk.
I need to learn to voice dictate, I feel like I constantly have ideas while driving that I want to save. Weirdly driving is the most creative time for me 🤷🏽♀️
I do a lot of "Hey Siri, take a note..."
But sometimes, what Siri THINKS I said is very different lol
I want to try an actual recorder app, like some of my journalist friends use
Oh, I'm so impressed by both of these! I DO "write" with voice to text, but I struggle to type fast enough on my little phone. But I love that you wrote your best scenes that way! And I've been thinking about getting a walking pad for my standing desk. Do you love the one you have? I'd love a recommendation!
I’m on my second one - the first was better (you could control it by your phone and it integrated into iPhone’s step counter - WalkingPad Folding Treadmill,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TQTP716?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
The second is worse BUT has an incline -Treadmill Walking Pad Mat for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D17VYSZG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I can walk at about 2.5-3 MPH if I am reading or talking on a call. I thought I couldn’t write while walking but then I discovered I just have to go verrrrrry slowly. But some movement is better than no movement!!
Absolutely! Sometimes, after working all day, I just want to move. This could be a great in between. Thank you! I'll check these out.
Even for those who are not moms
But still helpful!
Apparently not actually secret
Loved reading the tangible advice here and honoured to be included. Thank you Jessica!