Techniques Every Would-be Writer Should Know

Every aspiring writer can think of excuses that help them come to terms with why they are not writing. Even people who are dedicated to their writing can find themselves in a slump, myself included. When I find myself in a slump I have a few techniques that help me get back on track. I thought I would share them in the hopes that the next time you find yourself having trouble staying focused on your writing, that these techniques and tricks might help you find your way.

Music in Moderation

Music has always been a huge part of my life, so it is no real surprise that it plays a big part in my writing process. I have certain album or genres of music that I play depending on what I am writing. I assume that this will be different for different people but I have a few staple albums that I grew up with that I listen to when I really need to get focussed. Bands like Extreme and Megadeth, things that I use to listen to on constant repeat in my teen years but bands I would never typically listen to now. These songs have become so ingrained in me that they serve as perfect background music when I am having a seriously hard time filtering out distractions and getting my work done. Their familiarity is soothing and allows me to focus and what needs to get done.

I also have certain mood music. If I am writing fiction I may choose jazz or the blues if I am writing a romance scene, or classical for a battle scene. Excluding the bands I just mentioned, I tend to try stick mostly with music that doesn’t have lyrics so I don’t get distracted by the singing. I am a huge guitar fan so players like Adrian Legg and Andy McKee are a couple of my top choices to help me get through a writing rough patch. I need to be very specific and moderate what I listen to but that obviously won’t be the case for everyone. As I mentioned, each person is different but music can really help relax you and get into the frame of mind you need t be in to write, what you listen to is up to you.

Environment is Everything

Not only do I write articles but I also write fiction, poetry and music. I find I need to be in a specific mood for each of these subjects but just as important is where I am. Besides being in the right state of mind, where I am physically plays a big role in how productive I am. The place has to have to right feel, I need to be comfortable enough and free of distractions. Sometimes I can sit on my couch at home with my laptop and the words will just flow out of me, like they are right now. Other times I need to be at my desk to focus, other times out of the house entirely. I have learned to recognize where will be the right place for me dependant on my mood. I guess some people are going to be less finicky than I am but I know many would-be writers that tell me they don’t have a place where they feel relaxed and at home enough to create, to pull what is in the mind out and put it on paper or computer screen. Finding that place for you can make the difference between published and unpublished.

Although I write most of my material in my home I know that no matter where I live I need a place outside of my house to go too. I take my ipod and head to a coffee shop, have a cup of good coffee (because really, who can work while drinking bad coffee?) and zone out with my laptop and an Open Office text file. I tend to pick places where no one I know would go, simply to avoid distraction. The first few times in a new place I tend to stare at my computer screen, but as the shop becomes more familiar I become more comfortable and it becomes easy to let the words flow out of me. Your place may not be a coffee shop, it might be a park or a library. For one poet I knew growing up, he wrote his best works while in his favourite pub. It will be different for each person, but finding your place is what is important. It will act as an escape and a haven to help you create and that is what it’s all about.

The One Hour Habit

The biggest restraint (and excuse) used by any would-be writer is that they don’t have the time to write. I recently used it myself while explaining my lack of productivity on my blog. For anyone who does not write full-time, finding the extra time to write is the largest challenge. One way to combat the race against time is to set aside a specific amount time to write depending on your schedule. For myself, I am writing one hour a day every week day. I may write more than that one day or write on weekends as well but I know I have to sit at my computer with the intention of writing for one hour every weekday. Having that time allotted to writing gives me a schedule that I feel bound to follow. Even if I sit at my computer and don’t write a word, I know I have stuck to my schedule and that habit will help me in the future. When deciding on your schedule, make it something you know you can keep. If you are overambitious and create a schedule you can’t keep than you will only disappoint yourself. Many writers need to realize that writing is a marathon, not a sprint. Creating habits that work for you will take time. Start with something simple like an hour or two a week and make that one hour a habit. Once you are comfortable and in that groove then expand on it. The main thing is to create a schedule that you can stick to.

These are three techniques I use to keep my creativity flowing and to keep my productivity high. I know that there are many other ways to stay motivated and working and I would love to hear them. Please comment and talk about what works for you. By sharing these tips and tricks will helps us all be more productive and ultimately all make better articles and more money.