Writing 101

Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If you have a blog, I’ll be willing to bet you did at some time. I know I’ve had it before and it can be frustrating. I always wondered if there was a way to cure writers block and gain more confidence in my writing. I think I finally found the answer.

Simple Simon

Do you remember the first time you learned how to write? I can recall sentences that sounded something like this,“the cat is big.” I would then put all those sentences into a paragraph and a writing star was born!  As I got more mature, my writing matured as well and I learned more of the mechanics behind it. In high school, I learned about having a rough draft. A rough draft is like having an etch a sketch where you can make a mistake then shake it, and wipe the slate clean. Are you following me? A rough draft can serve as a place for you to try out your ideas before you put them on the real stage. The “RD” can get loss in the writing process because most people want a perfect article the first time out. This just doesn’t happen. Did you know you use different sides of the brain to edit and write. So…how can you do both at the same time?  It makes sense do them at different times, right? You can save yourself frustration by using the free writing technique.

Free Writing

I discovered the idea of “free writing” in The Challenge. Ed Dale described it in a module dedicated to article writing. I have never had much trouble writing, but I know it frightens some people. I guess it can be intimidating to have to write on a subject you may not know anything about for the first time but can it be fun? Yes, it can if you let it! Ed Dale describes the process like this: grab a timer and put ten minutes on it and just start writing whatever comes to your mind. Don’t stop writing until the timer goes off. That’s all you have to do! The secret lies in getting your ideas on paper then expanding on those ideas through revising your drafts. Its an easy process and it works! I have used something similar myself and it has never failed. If the “free writing” process doesn’t work for you, what is your alternative?

Me and my Memo Pad

My Idea Book

When I first started writing my blogs, I had trouble finding things to write about, but now I rarely do. How did I solve my problem? I carry around a small memo book and jot down ideas in it. I get topics from conversations with friends, radio and TV. I take my memo pad with me everywhere because you never know when inspiration might strike. The next time you have a case of writers block don’t get frustrated just remember you have options.

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