I had a quick question which I’d like to ask:
if you don’t mind. I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your thoughts prior to writing.
I have had a hard time clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out there.
I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints? Thanks!
First, it helps to know what you want to write about. The reason I have well over 100 posts in draft is that sometimes, I’m not always motivated to write about the item I thought I was going to write about.
For instance, late in 2015, I looked at a list of people who were going to turn, or would have turned, 70, in 2016. I created a post for all the people I considered writing about. When you have a daily blog, it helps not to have to come up with something from whole cloth daily. And I’ve already done the same thing for 2017.
Then I do…nothing. I just let the topics percolate in the subconscious of my brain. Then when I read something about that person, I throw the link into that draft post. By the time I actually start writing, I usually know where I want to go, even it eventually takes another track.
As for the actual writing, I try very hard not to worry about grammar, spelling, that sort of thing. Just get the ideas down.
That said, there may be nothing wrong with spending 10 or 15 minutes figuring out how to begin. Maybe that’s your process.
Check out this article from writer Ken Levine.
The question, BTW, came from my spam folder, some German company. I was always jealous of Dustbury’s ability to milk a blogpost from his spam folder every Monday. This was a rare shot to do the same.
Oh, yes, this was also from the spam:
May I simply just say what a relief to uncover a person that truly understands what they’re talking about online. You actually know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people should look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you are not more popular since you definitely possess the gift.
It’s always nice to be flattered, even by a bot.
Well, yeah, but when I raid the search logs, I only have to come up with a one-liner.
Actually, it’s more like 12 one-liners, but you get the idea, and I might spend one hour a week on them.
That first step is a doozy, though! 🙂
Bots have gotten… creepier.
Back in 2010 – a very weird time for me – I had this idea that you could control people and politics with a bit army. What’s creepier is that it turned out to be true.
LOL! I think I’ve had that same spam message. Yes, it is good for the ego. 😉 Writing has been a challenge for me lately…well, for the past year. Topics and thoughts continually swim in my head, but I can’t seem to find time to write them down before other things crowd those brilliant thoughts right out of my mind. I think I have 10 drafts right now and no idea when I’ll get back to them. That said, I think one is almost ready….almost. The key for me is how to find time to really sit and reflect on the topic. And then time to research info and reword into my own thoughts. Hmmm, maybe when I retire?