Success in Writing

How do you write?

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How do you write?

Do you draft by typing or writing longhand?

I must admit that for me, it depends on what I’m writing.

If I’m at work, I usually draft on the computer – by typing. But if I am trying to create something new, or if there is something I really need to think about… then I prefer to write longhand.

This morning I tried out the OCR features of my Jetpack app on my tablet to see if that was a viable option for drafting posts.

It wouldn’t upload, so I 🙂 think the technology has a bit further to go before it’s a viable option.

What about you? Do you prefere to draft in longhand – with pen and paper or screen and stylus? Or do is typing your preferred drafting method? Or… maybe you just skip them both and dictate your first draft?

So for today’s writing prompt, write about how you prefer to write. Ready … set … write!!!

Starting again… again.

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I was looking at my posts and realized I hadn’t posted anything in 4 months… and before that, it had been sporadic for quite some time.

So… it’s time for me to start again.  To revise my expectations so that they are achievable and sustainable… then keep going.

What about you?  Have you ever had to start over again and again… and again?

Set your timer for 5 minutes and write about a time you (or your character) had to start over.

Are you ready?  Get set.  Write!!!

Creativity

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Are you a creative person? I never thought I was, but I recently have learned that people are generally born creative…

… we just hide it fitting in with everyone else’s expectations, our own self-doubt, etc., etc., etc., until we forget the creativity is even there.

So why not play a little hide and seek, find a few pockets of creativity, let them out to have a bit of fun, and watch them grow.

You’ll be glad you did.

So for today’s writing prompt, write about a time you were creative.

Ready … set … write!

And have fun!!!

What will you do with your power?

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Between stimulus and response, there is a space. And in that space lies our power to choose. In our response lies our growth and freedom.

Some version of that quote has been ascribed to various people from Stephen R Covey to Viktor Frankl to several others who have said similar things over the years.

But no matter who said it … it got me thinking about my power as a human being. Power for good … power to create change … power to make the world a better place …

The more I thought, the more I had to agree with this quote. The ability to make good choices requires space (and practice).

Sometimes, I have to consciously expand that space. Other times, there is plenty of space naturally occurring before I can respond.

What do you think? Does your power lie in the space between stimulus and response? What will you do with that power?

Okay. Set your timer and ready … set … write!

Who’s Your Neighbor?

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I’m on vacation in Baja California right now and am loving the desert flora and fauna. The tropical plants are so different from what we have in the Pacific Northwest, U.S. and the cohabitation of desert and tropical plants is amazing to me.

One of the plants I am enjoying is the saguaro cactus. They are everywhere here. When we drive down the road, it is as if we are driving through a forest of them. There are vines with bright pink or magenta flowers climbing the saguaro … it’s truly beautiful.

One of the saguaro near the house we are staying at is the home of an iguana. Mr. Iguana loves to sit in his doorway and watch everyone go by. It has been fun to get to know this little neighbor and the other animal neighbors near this home.

What about the neighbors near you? Are there chipmunks, or rabbits or other animal neighbors? For today’s free writing, think about your animal neighbors and include them in what you write.

Let your creativity flow and have fun! Ready … set … write!

Writers Write!

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In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear talks about small changes that have a big impact over time. For instance, one day of intense exercise is not going to make you fit, but consistent exercise will.

In fact, he promotes the idea of starting small so that the habit is easier to form.

This idea is why I have chosen 5 minutes for the preferred time to free write from these prompts. But if you need to do less, that’s ok too.

In fact, James Clear also said in a podcast with Brene Brown … “Writing a sentence a day may not finish your novel, but it is casting a vote every day that you are a writer.

What do you think? Are you writing something every day … even if it is just a sentence? Or 5 out of 7?

Today’s prompt is to write about your plan for writing daily – even if it is just a sentence – and giving yourself the “I am a writer vote” every time.

Okay, here we go. Set your timer and ready … set … write!

April Flowers

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These are flowers from my garden. Some are in full bloom … Rock cress, phlox, lilac and lobelia … while others are budding, preparing for their time of full beauty.

That makes me think of people with potential just waiting to be developed and discovered. Writing practice is one way to develop your writing potential so that when opportunity comes your way, you will be ready to accept it and “burst into full bloom.”

So for today’s writing practice, consider what you are doing to prepare yourself for upcoming opportunities, then write about it.

Are you ready? Set your timer and ready … set … write!

Get Curious!

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Sometimes I just don’t know what to write about. Life is busy and time is short. But then, something catches my attention. It might be a bright, shiny object stealing what free time I have. Or, it might be something signaling an area where I can grow, learn and in turn share.

In order to create something of value, I have to get curious and dig a little deeper to find those things that will bring value to others – because that is what writing, blogging, etc is all about, right? Sharing things that will be valuable to someone else – otherwise why would they spend the time reading your work?

So today, think about something you are curious about. What questions do you have that you would like to answer? Spend some time following your curiosity and see where it takes you.

Now set your timer and ready … set … write!

I’d love to hear what you are curious about. If you are willing, share it in the comments. Happy writing!

Nothing to Say???

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Person sitting with laptop, but not writing. Text says "Write about not knowing what to write."

I was sitting at my desk trying to figure out what to write about. What on earth did I have to say that anyone would want to read? Has that ever happened to you?

Then, in my head, the 1980s Chicago song started playing 25 or 6 to 4, and all of a sudden, I knew I just needed to start writing about not knowing what to write and I would figure it out eventually.

See, the thing is that as you start to write, even if you have no idea what you are going to write about, the ideas start to flow, and the words flow as well, better and better as you keep going.

That’s not to say your first draft will be perfect – or even 25% of what you’ll end up with, but it is a start, and sometimes a start is all you need to open the floodgate of words locked in your head.

So today, write about a time when you had nothing to say, or about not having anything to say now.

If you need some inspiration about writing about not knowing what to say, listen to the YouTube on Chicago’s channel here.

Okay, now set your timer and ready … set … write!

World Poetry Day

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Do you enjoy Poetry? Shakespeare, Tennyson, Dickinson?

I enjoy poetry best when set to music, but also enjoy listening to it being read by someone with a nice voice.

So for today’s free write, write about your favorite bit of poetry. Or… write some poetry yourself. You decide.

Get your pen, set your timer, and ready … set … write.