Writing Activities
Many inexperienced writers are convinced that people are either born with talent or learn to do without it. Perhaps some people do have a natural aptitude for writing, but that doesn't mean that anyone creating a routine can't learn to be a good writer by practicing. Writing is no different from any other skill that you might try to learn, and the process is no more mysterious. The activities listed below might help you, so give them a try.
Creating a Routine
Most of us eat about the same time each day, and we often find ourselves thinking about what we are going to eat an hour or so before we actually get down to eating. Think hard—how often do you find yourself considering what you might have for dinner as you are driving home at the end of the day. How often to you think about lunch options while you are sitting in class?
This type of "warm up" thinking is true for most activities that are part of our standard routine. If you make writing a part of your routine, you will find yourself warmed up and ready to write when you sit down, so you don't have to waste time before your start. Making writing a part of your routine is very simple:
- Designate a specific time each day (or every other day if necessary) when you will write. Try to pay attention to your own preferences and choose a time of day when you like to write. I would suggest you start with a one hour commitment.
- Write in the same place each day. Make sure you choose a place that is comfortable and well equipped for you. In other words, some people need to work in absolute quiet; others like music or background noise. Whatever your preference, and you may need to experiment to find out, make sure it is always ready. It is very easy to waste an entire hour cleaning the desk, finding the perfect CD, or fixing a snack, so do these things ahead of time.
This may sound too simple to work, but I promise it does. If you follow these steps and make the commitment to write for an hour the same time in the same place for a week or two, you will soon find yourself thinking about what you are writing long before you ever sit down to write, and when you do sit down, you will have a productive hour because your brain is already warmed up.
Blank Screen Writing
Sometimes we get so caught up in the "get it right" mode that we can't write. If this happens to you, you need to find a way to turn off your internal editor, so you can be free to let your thoughts flow. I find the blank screen method very useful and simple:
- Adjust the setting on your monitor so that you cannot see anything on the screen.
- Start writing, and keep writing for as long as possible, but for at least fifteen minutes. Try to write a complete draft.
- Turn on your monitor and read what you have written.
Because you can't see what you are writing, you can't stop after every sentence to agonize over errors or word choice. Consequently, you will find yourself free to let your thoughts flow more quickly. Will you make mistakes? Of course, but that is writing is all about, and without the interference of your own personal editor, you might be surprised by the quality of your work.
