| Writers only fail when they fail to write. | | | | write there every day - soon, your mind will begin to |
| Across many of the things I write, you'll see this | | | | associate that place with good writing, and you will |
| phrase. It was first said to me three years ago, in an | | | | feel more inspired simply by being there. |
| "Introduction to Fiction Writing" class I took in college. | | | | 2. Write for fifteen minutes. |
| I was doing poorly in college and in my desperation, | | | | Got your kitchen timer? Okay. Set it for fifteen |
| had signed up for two of the hardest writing classes | | | | minutes, and just write. Move your hand. Write |
| I can think of - my motivation is a little hazy, now - I | | | | anything you want, anything that comes to mind at |
| guess I wanted it said that if I was going to bomb, | | | | all. Don't worry about punctuation, spelling, or even |
| at least I bomb trying to take the class that | | | | content. If you don't know what to write, then just |
| everyone said was the hardest. | | | | write "I'mstuckI'mstuckI'mstuck" until something pops |
| The professor - the late Peter Christopher, instilled | | | | in your head. |
| what he called "The Program". He insisted that every | | | | Want to write about your current writing project? |
| writer needed it, every successful writer did it in | | | | Go ahead! Want to write about how your mother |
| some form, and that most, if not all, of one's | | | | wants you to marry that investment banker but |
| "writer's block" problems could be solved in this | | | | you'd rather run away with the male stripper who |
| program. | | | | lives next door? Feel free! Anything is fair game! |
| I'm going to share it with you. I'm convinced that it's | | | | 3. Repeat. |
| a tool every writer needs some form of; if it works | | | | This is the real trick. You see those two steps? Do |
| for you, all the better! | | | | them. Every day. It helps me - I promise, it can help |
| 1. Set aside a place to write. | | | | you. Try playing a little Mozart while you're writing - it |
| Do you have a place just for writing in your home? It | | | | helps to foster creativity. If that's not to your tastes, |
| doesn't have to be a whole room - it can be a corner | | | | then try other kinds of music that keep you inspired. |
| of a room, your computer desk, or anywhere you | | | | Do this every day. Without fail. When you've got a |
| can get creatively comfortable. I would -not- suggest | | | | little time, go through and revise what you wrote. If |
| your bed, as it is far to easy to laze around and fall | | | | you feel the need to - extend the time. During the |
| asleep there. | | | | time I was taking this class the professor expected |
| Do whatever it takes to be comfortable. Light a small | | | | two hours or more. |
| candle, burn some incense, set out pictures of your | | | | Just write. Stop being a self-editor, and dig through |
| family - keep it uncluttered, but make it yours. | | | | your subconscious to find the things you REALLY |
| A good place to write is important. Make sure you | | | | want to write about. |