Monday, April 4, 2011
I have three minutes to write this post
Because I am following the advice of the amazing Dorothea Brande, whose "Becoming a Writer" is easily the best writing book I have ever read. It focuses much more on what it takes to actually be a writer than it does on craft, and it's awesome. One of the first steps she requires you to take is to set a specific time each day to write for ten minutes - and do it, no matter what. If you said you were going to write at 10, than you'd better do it. If you're in you car, pull over. If you're in the grocery store, park yourself on a bench. It's all about getting that pesky, artistic unconscious to start obeying you. To make it your bitch. I'm off to beat my own into submission now. Peace, gentle readers.
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Good idea! I'm totally going to try this! 10 minutes away from history essays, reading for ALL my classes really isn't anything. I think we all have this idea that to be good writers we have to write for hours upon hours at a time. It's hard when you're in school! :( Or when you're attempting to participate in life. haha.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to get this book!
ReplyDeleteSounds like excellent advice to me! I've gotten better about disciplining myself to write each day for a set amount of time, but it's still a struggle on some days -- especially weekends.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great goal. I think this is definitely a book I should be reading.
ReplyDeleteThe only book I've read and loved that was about writing was On Writing by Stephen King. He didn't go into technique he just spoke from the writer's point of view and I instantly fell in love!
I adore your blog!! This is such a fantastic place! I do hope you'll stop by my neck of the woods and say hello!!
Excellent advice. I go for a daily word count (2,000/day), except during revisions...where I am SLOW.
ReplyDeleteSound like excellent advice. I also read your previous post and have another piece of advice or maybe just a reminder that all writers are their own worse critic. So go easy on yourself.
ReplyDeletePS. thanks for the ringtone site I now have my new ringtone thanks to you
Just want to say thanks again for suggesting the idea! And though, again, I'm not a writer, I think that's great advice; putting aside a certain chunk of time every day to do something you're really passionate about is definitely necessary, especially when it's something as fickle and fleeting as a brilliant idea. Operation Domination: go! (Lol, cheesy, but I felt the need just then.)
ReplyDeleteIf I could actually adhere to this advice I would bust some novels out in record time instead of taking...uhh...going on 6 months. Great advice!
ReplyDelete