Thursday, April 23, 2009

This is Not a News Flash

So I feel like some of my posts these days are getting redundant - and for that, and if so, I apologize - but when I'm in full-on writing mode, I probably go into a little bubble where I have the same thoughts over and over again. :) But once again this week I was reminded that the hardest part of this gig is WRITING. And once again, I was also reminded that the best way to overcome this is TO WRITE.

To wit: every day this past week, I have come up with A MILLION excuses not to write. A hundred different websites to check. A thousand different Scrabble games to play. A gajillion reasons to check Twitter. (Which, incidentally, I'm now really loving. Check it out if you haven't. I'm @aswinn.) But, after all of my procrastination, I did indeed carve out time every day to write, and I was shocked, shocked, SHOCKED, each day to discover that while the words didn't always come easily, they did eventually snowball, such that I wrote at least 1300 words each day, topping out with 2k words on Tuesday. I mean...wow! Just forcing myself to do it for an hour can actually add up to something substantial.

Again, I know that this is repetitive but it's also such a good reminder. Sit down. Write. Surprise yourself that you can be productive. Even if it's just a few hundred words. It's more than you had yesterday. And you'll always write more tomorrow.

3 comments:

Amy Sue Nathan said...

I always say that the best way to start writing - is to open the Word doc.

:)

And I agree, if I am "not in the mood" or something else calls to me, I give myself a short time out w/ the computer and it usually ends up being a few hours before I get up from the chair.

sarah pekkanen said...

It is so true -- we make the simple fact of just getting those words down so complicated sometimes. But the thing is, there is always rewriting! The words don't have to be perfect the first time around. But what a great feeling when you see that word count add up and you have the raw material to work with. Congrats on getting it done!

Unknown said...

You can never say this too many times.

It is the one lesson even veteran writers need to be reminded of from time to time.