|
Journalist Secrets to Writing |
|
|
|
|
Written by Barbara Farrar
|
Journalist Secrets to Writing [by Barbara Farrar]
Putting things off is common with everyone. I am very gifted in this area. Here are 4 areas to focus on to jumpstart your next writing session. I have always enjoyed writing. Sometimes it's a problem for me to just sit down and write something. It's hard to be able to just sit down on given notice and start to write things.
Often we find other things that we belive are more pressing.
Putting things off is common with everyone.
Here are 4 areas to focus on to jumpstart your next writing session.
* Concentration
* Preparation
* The First Word
* Use your notebook
Concentration:There are way too many distractions. Cell phones ringing, blaring car alarms and unexpected visitors are just a few things that can disrupt your concentration. It then becomes easier to justify not writing today.
The best thing to do to encourage creative writing is to make it a ritual. Find a nice spot to write, maybe, in a quiet room in your home where you will be left undisturbed for a period of time. Set a time to work; a scheduled time to write. Stick to it.
Keep reference books and materials close at hand.
Focus on one idea at a time.
View your next writing session as an opportunity to do something
you enjoy. Make it fun.
Preparation:Once you have your topic: Google it. Read everything you can online and offline related to your idea. Search the net for testimonials, reviews and articles about your topic.
Brainstorm related sub-topics.
Give it a rest. Let your subconscious mind play with the information you have. Some of my best ideas come to me while I am out walking around in the evening or driving around town. Often I hear something on the radio that makes me think of something which at that point I can't wait to start writing.
Getting Started:Where to begin? That blank page staring back can be
intimidating.
Just dive right in there!
Type the word "The."
Type the next word (the first thing that pops into your mind) and the next word.
At this point, quality is not important. You just want to create a "flow" where the words come easily.
Don't stop to edit. Save all your corrections for the second draft. Resist the impulse to rewrite. That will only interrupt the flow and is another way to avoid the task at hand.
If you are like me you will have a 2nd, third and fourth draft. You have to get your first draft completed before your have anything to rewrite! Stay focused.
Carry a Notebook or tape recorder.
As a creative writer, you will be "hit" by odd ideas and notions in the oddest of places.
Maybe you are stuck in traffic or brushing your teeth when inspiration strikes.
You could wake from a dream and have a killer idea.
" I'll remember that." We say to ourselves, but when I a woke the next morning I don't have a clue what I had thought of.
Just use a notebookor a recorder. Jot those things down as they come to you or just record them. It only takes a moment.
Capture all your of your ideas as they transpire. Who knows? One of them may be the "Next Big Thing!"
About the author:
About the Author: Barbara Farrar loves to write and has written many e-books and short articles. For more information, please visit http://www.journalistsecrets.com
|
