Some people are natural writers (Amber Avines, Chris Brogan, and Valeria Maltoni to name a few). Others have to force the words to come out (if even just a little).
If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut. – Stephen King | On Writing (affiliate link)
Personally, I practice both just about every day now. I’m up to ~8 books this year and though I don’t always hit the publish button, writing is a part of my daily routine. Still, there’s room for improvement as with most things in life.
Writing Rituals
There’s a couple of things I’ve come to realize (about myself and how/when I do my best writing)… I have a ritual. Mostly, it involves:
- Pandora (Cirque du Soleil or Techno – basically, music without lyrics)
- Coffee or Rockstar
- My moleskine notebook and timer
I’ll stand up and flip through my notes for ~5 minutes or so and then I’ll sit down and start typing. The standing part is my version of a warm-up drill before a game.
Timing Matters
The other thing I’ve realized about myself is that timing matters. I don’t mean what time of the day to hit the publish button. You can schedule things to post whenever you want. What I mean is what time of day I write, matters. I get my best (creative) writing done either really early in the morning, in the afternoon (after work), or really late at night. Mornings are tough because of my current commute. But the afternoon in the cafe or at the bookstore, sipping on an espresso, people-watching and skimming through notes is perfect. And so is late at night when I’m distraction free with nothing but Pandora to keep the music and creativity flowing.
If I have a headline idea during the day, I’ll jot it down in the moleskine and maybe add some bullet points but I don’t sit down and actually write the post until it’s that prime-time moment for me. I know that I’ll be able to get it my best attention then.
How About You?
What does your writing ritual look like? Where and/or when do you get your best writing done? Any tips you can share with the rest of us?
Love that quote from Stephen King, one of my favorites. I do my best writing sitting on my couch, with my laptop on my lap, watching repeats of some of my favorite movies for background noise (either old movies like Breakfast at Tiffany's, ones I have seen a million times like Harry Potter (any) or funny movies like Hot Tub Time Machine). They help me to ignore the rest of the world…it's odd, I can't really write at all without some form of distraction in the background.
I'm the same way, Kristen. I totally need pleasant background noise. I often use the soundtrack to “Robin Hood” (Kevin Costner version). For some odd reason, no matter the project, I'm always finished by the end of the CD. Doesn't work with the movie. It's been that way since college. Weird?
Man, that's an old soundtrack but I totally remember it…one of my favorite songs in there (yeah, I'm a softy).
For me though, I need to use a timer to stay on point. Otherwise, I get stuck listening to music (or watching movies) all day. The timer makes me check myself so I know I have a deadline and the project needs to get done. Helps me keep focused, ya know.
Wouldn't be able to do it without some melody in the background. Is it weird? Sure. It distracted the heck out of my college roommates first year 🙂
I'm reading his book right now: “On Writing”. GREAT book. Though I sorta skipped to the second section where he starts to offer all of his practical writing advice.
As for movies…great mention. LIstening to movies I've seen in the background creates a great environment for me as well. Just the other day I was watching “The Big Lebowski” whilst outlining a few things. Like you said, it “helps me ignore the rest of the world” so I can focus.
Like you, I can't really write without some sort of distraction to keep me focused. <== This part sounds funny/weird to say but it's true.
BTW, the post from azfamily is actually from @catholland. I was logged into a work account when I posted. Now I can't get the site to let me post as me. Apologies to all.
Heh, that's totally ok… Off to say hello on Twitter 🙂
Hi Ricardo! Found your blog by way of @PaulFlanigan on Twitter. Love your writing. My necessary tools are similar – old school notebook, laptop & pseudo-timer. Ok, not a timer at all, but I do set some boundaries for time, varying depending on what i'm trying to write. My distraction is music, too, although I don't mind songs with lyrics. I do typically listen to music that I know so I'm not caught off guard:) I need something familiar. I don't have a particular location that is best for writing, but I have to mentally prepared for it. If I am, I can write just about anywhere that is relatively calm. Thanks – glad I found your blog!
Hiya Chris,
Pleasure to meet ya and thanks for the compliment! I'll have to thank Paul for the Tweet 🙂
Re: the timer, hehe, I know what you mean. I tried what you do…setting boundaries, etc. That just didn't work for me for some reason. My mind tends to jump all over the place. I tried the timer on the suggestion of a friend and BAM…it made me a little more productive.
As for the music, totally with ya on the need for something familiar. If it's something new, I tend to spend more time listening to the song and trying to remember the lyrics as opposed to working on what I was supposed to be working on to begin with, hah.
Location doesn't really matter all that much to me…as long as I have my laptop, ipod and a good beverage, I'm all set to rock-n-roll!
Thanks for the comment amigo, and welcome to the site!
I've done and am trying to get more organized to keep doing what Stephen King says: Write a lot and read a lot. I don't know what else one can do! And now, with all this social media, I'm struggling to get organized so that I'm not spending all my time on the Internet to the exclusion of writing. But, like you, I jot down ideas, and then write when I “feel” like I'm ready. Once I get going on a project, I write consistently until the draft is complete.
Hi Ann,
The only problem with writing when you “feel” like you're ready is that it leads to complacency and writer's block has a way of sticking around.
Here's what I do… I set aside 30 minutes to 1 hour (daily) to just sit and write. I flip through my moleskine which is riddled with post titles and I look for things to write and outline. I won't always hit the publish button, but it's ok because I'm at least forcing myself to add more and create more. I'm not always “feeling” it. But I'm forcing myself to create and I truly think that in this regard, practice makes perfect.
How to cut down on distractions? Oh, those are everywhere! I use a timer and set it to 10 – 12 minutes. In those 10 – 12 minutes I force myself to crank out a task. Whether it be outline a post, edit and publish one, or respond to an email. I set the timer and tune everything out until it buzzes. When it does, I take a 1 – 2 minute break and start all over again.
That may not be the best process, but it works for me 🙂
Welcome to the site Ann and thanks for adding to the conversation!
I write late at night or around 10 AM and almost always with music playing. The type of music really depends on what I am writing- business, fiction, press release etc.
I really struggle to write with music..if the song has lyrics, especially lyrics that I know, I end up singing along and then writing it down
like blah blah blah..then bam” I'm addicted to you cos, I know that your toxic”, how the hell did britney spears get all up in my post, lol
Ok..I don't listen to Britney, but you get my point
Haha! Thanks Stacey…I think I now have that tune in my head…
I hear ya though. I'm a bit of the opposite, if it's familiar, it's all good. If it's not, I get stuck trying to memorize the lyrics.
My taste is music is random (I go through moods I suppose). Then, my problem is I don't know one artist from another. If I hear somebody playing something good, I'll ask them to share what it is.
I suppose that's why I stick with Pandora…and let them pick somethin' for me. But for the most part, it's music with no lyrics for me.
Thanks for the comment Jack!
Hi Ricardo, sometimes I get my best writing done at 3am. To be honest I wish this wasn't the case, as it can lead to some incredibly tired mornings. But occasionally my ideas keep my awake at night, and I just have to write. It's a those times, when I feel like my work writes itself. Like my fingers are just a conduit. Other times, sweet lord..I can't write anything I would even show to the milkman.
The more writing assignments I take on, the more organised I have to become, but while writing this, I realised that I've come to miss the simple sort of writing I used to do. No self editing, no caring what anyone thought. Just a gentle release for the soul. Time to get the journal out again me thinks…I enjoyed this , thanks, and welcome to Triberr
Stacey: Ha, that used to be my schedule. I'd stay up till 2:00 – 3:00am cranking out a blog post for the morning. Something about it being completely dark and utterly quiet that was comforting and allowed me to get in the zone.
I've definitely had to train myself and change my habits. No more late night writing, and it's more like I force it (or rather practice) first thing in the morning and in the evening at the bookstore or cafe.
Re: “I've come to miss the simple sort of writing I used to do. No self editing, no caring what anyone thought. Just a gentle release for the soul.”
You know, that's precisely why I've ditched the macbook (tho not completely). I don't lug the macbook Pro with me everywhere I go. Instead, I take my moleskine and I just practice free-writing in there. Fewer distractions and just plain ol' thinking and writing and drawing of ideas. That's some of the best writing I think you can do.
Thanks for the comment Stacey and welcome!
Hi Ricardo – I fit the “force the words to come out category.” It's not easy for me to put my thoughts down in a way that is precise. I have to read over and over again and after I hit publish, I see the glaring errors I made or areas my sentence structure could have been better.
I'm not a writer, so becoming a writer is hard work and the two things Stephen mentioned, writing a lot and reading a lot are keys to improving your own writing skills.
As far the best time to write for me, I haven't identified one… what I mean is there are times the words and the thoughts flows out of me easily and that can be any time of the day. Maybe that happens in the mornings most often, as I'm fresh, it's quite and I absolutely love the early mornings ; )
Thanks for the mental and writing exercise today, it's been fun!
Re: I fit the “force the words to come out category.”
Ha, I think a lot of us do Mark! Believe me, when I hit publish, I often have a friend writing me to tell me about a typo (or two or three). Heh. I've noticed that when I write, I have to edit 2-3 times just to make sure I don't have any typos. And truly, the more you write (and read for that matter), the easier it gets. For me, I've come to realize that I'm getting slightly more comfortable with writing how I speak, just without the “uhm's”.
Anyway, thanks for the comment Mark and cheers to early morning reading over a fresh brew of coffee!
Hi Ricardo – I'm a “Night Writer”…that seems to be when the real flow to write comes! But I do have a list of topics that I keep in a small notebook with me, at all times, to jot down ideas & thoughts as they occur during my day. But at night, it all comes together! I'm in my home office, with my dog Taz curled up at my feet. Sippin' a cup of herb tea, or a glass of cab. As much as I love music, it distracts me…so no music or TV in the background to cloud my thoughts, when I get on a roll! 😉
We're on the same page! I keep the moleskine with me everywhere I go…but I secretly get the best writing done late at night. (That's a Friday/Saturday night for me since now-a-days I try to get to bed early).
As for music, you don't need it. You've got Taz to keep ya company 😉 I'll take some chai tea myself…
Thanks for the comment and for sharing a bit about how you do your own writing!
Great Article! I'm a James Taylor listening writer – he helps! I LOVE writing in the early early EARLY AM when the world is asleep or it seems that way at least!
One of my big tricks is to do a bulleted outline with my BIG ideas and then get outside/coffee shop/park bench/ocean bench and fill in the bullet points with good words then back at the computer I fill them in and begin the real construction! 🙂
And also I believe when it comes to being a “brilliant” writer (whatever that means)… genius is in the small small details!
Hi Jenny,
Hmm… I'll have to look up James Taylor. For me, it's techno, Jack Johnson or Blink 182. Random I know. They're each nothing a like, lol. As for writing in the a.m., I hear ya and I'm all for it. Unfortunately, at present I have a pretty hefty morning commute which prevents me from sitting down and just writing for an hour or two :-/ Then again, I suppose I should get up earlier huh.
As for your bulleted outline, I'm right there with ya! I start with the post title first, then outline my ideas below it. Once I'm ready, I'll sit and crank out that post then edit and edit until it's ready to go.
Thanks for the comment Jenny and happy blogging!
Thanks for the shoutout, Ricardo! I'm honored! Truly.
Believe it or not, I was walking my dogs today and writing a blog post in my head. As I did so, I thought of three other ideas I wanted to write about. I was just in the neighborhood, so I didn't have my purse. Sooooo, I stopped into to the dog grooming shop, borrowed the pen off the counter, and wrote the ideas on my hand. 🙂
As for a ritual, I honestly can't say I have one. My first job out of college was in TV news, so I had to write on command. No mood could be set and I didn't have a choice about when to write. I just had to do it. That background has served me well and now allows me to write whenever, wherever.
Thank you again for the kind mention, RB! You're aces 😉
Amber Avines @wordsdonewrite
Amber: I love how you put words together. In my humble opinion, you truly now how to write. Me, I struggle to put words together at times.
As for writing “on command.” I try and I try. Sometimes, I get the words out. Other times, I have to focus really hard to get myself in that zone. The best I can relate it to is playing basketball… Sometimes you get in that zone and when you start shooting, boy, you're just on fire. It takes practices and concentration to get there. And it's a damn good feeling when you are. Other times, it's like you can't shake off that bad shooting streak, heh. Sorry, I play basketball so that's the best I could come up with at present 🙂
Your basketball analogy makes a lot of sense. Sometimes you're in the zone; sometimes you aren't!
Thanks again, Ricardo! I appreciate your generous words.
Yep. Tonight…I'm in da zone baby!!
Go! Go! Go!
I agree with Kirsten and you. I get my best writing done on my couch with my laptop in hand with some sort of distraction but it has to be something I've already watched. If it's brand new, I'll be distracted by the movie and nothing will get written. 😛
I've tried writing with no noise thinking it would help me crank out more blog posts but it doesn't work that way. The noise in my head was enough of a distraction.
Yep, if it's not something I've already seen, I end up watching/listening to it a lot more closely and not doing the work 😛
For me, Pandora, on some Techno station (like I'm doing right now) is perfect!
Hi Ricardo
I'm a casual blogger, very casual, but I still have a routine.
I write my posts on a local setup of my site, so as soon as I have the idea I start a new post.
I add to the content a bit at a time and ad the same time… I look for good graphics.
I think that graphics can really make a post stand out.
I cut and paste the info, edit as a goo along, add the graphics and them I get my wife to read it through.
Correct spelling mistakes, edit a bit more and then… hit the big publish button.
Takes me ages but like I said, I am a casual blogger. LOL
I love “On Writing”. Even the memoir part. You're reminding me that I need to get back for my annual visit to that goodie.
Unlike Steven King who can be bangin' AC/DC while pounding the keyboard, it's gotta be dead quiet. Even hummingbirds flitting around on the tree outside my window distract me.
Kinda makes me wish I had the ADD so my mind thrived on all kinds of stuff going on.
But the thing that's helped me MOST, has been working in 50 minute chunks of time. I'm a weirdo and I work to break. I set the timer for 50 minutes and go balls to wall not focusing on anything but the task at hand, writing.
And then once it goes off, I take a 10 minute break doing anything but writing. Then when 10 minutes is up, I set it for another 50 and focus on one task till completion again. Then I take a 30 minute break to eat and rest.
This routine was introduced to me by Eben Pagan and it's supposed to support your body rhythms and I'm pretty sure I'm benefiting from that but the part I love most is guilt free playing during my break. I hate not being able to play and I hate feeling guilty and this lets me have the best of both worlds.