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9 months ago
in WakeUpProductiveBlog: How To Manage Yourself And Your Time (And How To Dramatically Increase Your Personal Productivity) on Becoming A Writer Seriously
Thanks Tom! Great video. But it's a bit "business" oriented, and not really for writers. I prefer Leo's recommendations on his WriteToDone blog: have clear goals, find triggers, allow yourself some rewards, etc. (The "focus" concept is common to all strategies).
In the video, I liked the principle of having a great beginning of the day (water, exercise, great meal, meditation, reading). Leo wrote once something that I liked very much about this: when he wakes up (at 4 AM), he "greats the day". That may sound strange, but that's a way to find something authentic in your relationship with writing. Simply, deeply, great the day.
In the video, I liked the principle of having a great beginning of the day (water, exercise, great meal, meditation, reading). Leo wrote once something that I liked very much about this: when he wakes up (at 4 AM), he "greats the day". That may sound strange, but that's a way to find something authentic in your relationship with writing. Simply, deeply, great the day.
1 reply
9 months ago
in A Writer’s Lament: Fed Up With Computers on Becoming A Writer Seriously
I can write about this just because that's also my biggest weakness!
Even developing CbC was a way for me to escape the writer's block. But it doesn't help my novel that much to go ahead. Now, with all these great blogs (yours, but also Kristi's, Dustin's ...), the situation has become even more critical!
Even developing CbC was a way for me to escape the writer's block. But it doesn't help my novel that much to go ahead. Now, with all these great blogs (yours, but also Kristi's, Dustin's ...), the situation has become even more critical!
1 reply
tomcolvin
Yes, we are drowning in riches, with so many strong blogs for writers.
9 months ago
in A Writer’s Lament: Fed Up With Computers on Becoming A Writer Seriously
Tom,
As for me, all is in your conclusion: "I’m frozen into non-productivity". My own humble advice: don't expect too much from technology, or you may start a neverending run (I remember your post about your legendary run!!!). I think, part of the secret is:
- focus on a small set of tools (even Notepad can do the job)
- backup often, because loosing data is the only real threat for a writer when he drops the pen
All other things will drive you away from writing.
Remember those classic writers who never know what a word processor is. And they have written thousands of pages. This is my own invirogating trick, when I lament myself about computers. Imagine how Victor Hugo would have been productive even with the Copy/Paste of Notepad!
When I spend too much time on tech things, here is what I say to myself: "Don't let technology be a mirage hiding the writer's block, hiding the fear to rush into the battle. The battle field is always a blank thing, either paper or screen."
All the best,
Sebastien
As for me, all is in your conclusion: "I’m frozen into non-productivity". My own humble advice: don't expect too much from technology, or you may start a neverending run (I remember your post about your legendary run!!!). I think, part of the secret is:
- focus on a small set of tools (even Notepad can do the job)
- backup often, because loosing data is the only real threat for a writer when he drops the pen
All other things will drive you away from writing.
Remember those classic writers who never know what a word processor is. And they have written thousands of pages. This is my own invirogating trick, when I lament myself about computers. Imagine how Victor Hugo would have been productive even with the Copy/Paste of Notepad!
When I spend too much time on tech things, here is what I say to myself: "Don't let technology be a mirage hiding the writer's block, hiding the fear to rush into the battle. The battle field is always a blank thing, either paper or screen."
All the best,
Sebastien
1 reply
tomcolvin
Sebastien, your comment is very insightful!
If nothing else, this blog of mine is the mechanism that hides away my
writer's block! It's been an excuse to focus on an endless search for
writing tools. Part of me, now, begins to think that the search for the
perfect set of writing tools is a misplaced timewaster.
I'll soon share some discoveries in my current Mac vs. PC quandary. I've
finally been able to visit a MacIntosh dealer who has allowed me to download
Scriviner, a writing program that has sounded so perfect for me. I've
played with it and have discovered it too falls short. On the writing
front, I now find my PC tools -- which seem to coalesce around Chapter by
Chapter! -- work just fine. I'll writer about that.
My last battle is my fascination with Mac's powerful yet easy-to-use music
composition program Logic Pro. The musician in me finds that software
enticing.
I'll sort it all out soon.
If nothing else, this blog of mine is the mechanism that hides away my
writer's block! It's been an excuse to focus on an endless search for
writing tools. Part of me, now, begins to think that the search for the
perfect set of writing tools is a misplaced timewaster.
I'll soon share some discoveries in my current Mac vs. PC quandary. I've
finally been able to visit a MacIntosh dealer who has allowed me to download
Scriviner, a writing program that has sounded so perfect for me. I've
played with it and have discovered it too falls short. On the writing
front, I now find my PC tools -- which seem to coalesce around Chapter by
Chapter! -- work just fine. I'll writer about that.
My last battle is my fascination with Mac's powerful yet easy-to-use music
composition program Logic Pro. The musician in me finds that software
enticing.
I'll sort it all out soon.
business. But some writers are engaged in writing as a business, and it may
be valuable to them. If visit the video's website and poke around, you will
find a case study of a writer who finished writing her book in 6 weeks.
[Wish that could happen to me!]
On the other hand, WriteToDone offers great insights too, a very helpful
site for writers.