Saturday, September 29, 2007
How to addict yourself to writing
The secret to writing is to addict yourself to it.Now, I admit: there’s nothing more terrifying than facing a blank page.
Even Shakespeare and Steven King would agree to that!
But, if you can get yourself addicted to writing, writer’s block will become an impossibility.
See, I’ve been writing professionally now for about five years.
And while that doesn’t mean I’ve discovered all of the secrets, I HAVE figured out a three-step process to get addicted to writing:
THE FIRST STEP IS THE HARDEST: just start writing.
Even if you don’t think you’re any good.
Even if you don’t think you have anything good to write about.
If you have to, write about “not having anything to write about” until you think of something to write about.
Do this for a (measly) fifteen minutes a day.
THE SECOND STEP IS THE LONGEST: give it time.
Depending on your style, schedule and goals, this could take anywhere from several weeks to several months to several years.
The secret is to be patient.
To be willing to pay the price.
That way, you become (slowly) addicted to writing.
And in the process, develop a tailor-made system that suits your creative style.
THE THIRD STEP IS THE COOLEST: embrace your addiction!
See, as you get into your daily writing routine, you’ll notice something.
I call it The Circle of Write:
1. The more you write, the more you will LIKE writing.
2. The more you like writing, the more you will WANT to write.
3. The more you want to write, the more THOUGHT you will put into your writing.
4. The more thought you put into your writing, the BETTER your writing will become.
5. The better your writing becomes, the HIGHER your confidence will soar.
6. The higher your confidence soars, the MORE you will like writing.
7. The more you like writing, the more you will WANT to write...
And so on.
The circle just keeps on going.
Let us all chant, Hakuna-matata!
AND HERE’S THE BEST PART: once you reach this point, the better you will feel when you write.
Which means the WORSE you will feel when you DON’T write.
And THAT is how you will know when you’re addicted.
When you can’t (not) write.
After all, if “writing is the basis of all wealth,” wouldn’t YOU want get addicted to it?
LET ME ASK YA THIS...
How did YOU get addicted to writing?
LET ME SUGGEST THIS...
Share your addiction tips here!
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
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This is kind of cheesy and it may not work for everyone, but I created a "soundtrack" for my writing time. It's 60 minutes of music that I listen to every time I sit down to start writing. It's kind of a Pavlovian approach to creating addiction, because every time I hear one of those songs in a non-writing portion of my day, I immediately go back mentally to what I wrote that morning or what I've been working on for a couple of weeks. I usually end up "losing" another hour when that happens!
Hi,
I love writing. I have not found any trick where i just have to sit down and write I did start wrting a story. But what you said works. One just has to start writing. thanks for the 3 steps, I was floundering with time versus desire to write and your tips give me a lot of hope to just carry on whenever I do get time.
Scott, what you wrote about writing is true. I have discovered on an "unprofessional" level that writing has benefits which spill over into all of life.
I started consistently writing or journaling over three years ago nearly every day. Since then I have filled up several notebooks.
I'm usually the first one in the office every day and I write. When I am on the plane and not talking with someone, I am writing.
Putting thoughts on paper has helped me focus on what is most important to me. I mostly write down personal growth thoughts and goals.
It's kinda wierd but I usually write something similar every day like prayers or affirmations and goals. I try to include the areas of my life which seem to be core such as being healthy spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially. Also about career and family and other miscellaneous things.
Since I do this consistently and specifically, I have seen myself accomplish some of the things I have been writing down.
Pretty neat stuff!!
Great post. I love all your ideas on writing. When I coach people who want to write, the first thing I ask them is "What do you love about writing?" If we have to force ourselves to write, it won't happen. If we tap into our hunger for it, writing will become a priority and all the exucses will dissolve over time.
I love the idea of the writing soundtrack, Todd!