Preparing to Write
Tips for getting in the groove
By Andrea C. Neil
There might be a few lucky writers out there who can sit down whenever and wherever and write a bestseller without thinking too hard about it all. You know, they just plop down at their desk or at a café or while waiting at the gate for a flight, and start typing.
But for the rest of us mortals, most of the time writing can be a little more complicated. Let’s look at a few ways we can summon our creative energy.
Set aside a regular time and place
Like any other exercise we do — the more we write, the better we get. And also, same as with any other exercise we do, we’re more likely to do it when we’ve built time for it into our routine.
Designing a writing routine doesn’t mean you have to sit down and do it every day. You could plan to write just a few days a week, or even one day a week. You could plan one long writing session, or several short ones.
The same goes for location. A screenwriter friend of mine loves working in different coffee shops every morning. The location isn’t the same, but she’s always in a coffee shop. Some people work best at their own desk. How about a library date? Be honest with yourself about where you work best and try to stick with it.
Regardless of when and where you work, the most important part is to have a plan … whatever it is.
Blocking time on a calendar is a great way to give yourself a visual reminder of the time you’ve put aside for your WIP. Also phone alarms work, as well as sticky notes, coffee dates with fellow writers, or online writing groups work too. Find a way that works for you — your plan doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
Develop a ritual
Once you’ve got your writing time scheduled, there are things you can do to prepare your brain for the writing process. When I was a yoga teacher, we learned that doing certain things before sitting down to meditate actually helped calm the brain. For example, sitting down on a cushion you use just for meditation and lighting your meditation candle will create “mental muscle memory” and let the brain know it’s time to feel safe and relaxed. The same logic can be used to signal to your brain that it’s time to write!
Maybe you want to have a special “creativity candle” that you light every time you sit down to write. Some people play a certain kind of music that they only listen to while writing. Or you could brew a certain kind of tea. The possibilities are endless! Whatever you choose just has to have meaning for you personally.
Meditate
Speaking of meditation, it can be a great pre-writing routine! Taking even just a few minutes to stop and shift gears before you sit down to write can be helpful beyond measure. And meditation can be a big help.
You don’t have to call it meditation, you could just “sit and breathe” for a few minutes. But giving your mind and your body some time to transition to a new task can help focus and creativity.
Remember, there is no right or wrong way to meditate (okay, maybe you don’t want to play Iron Maiden while meditating or whatever, but you get the idea). Just take a few minutes without your phone or computer and just slow down for a bit.
Create an intention
You can create a broad, all-encompassing intention for whenever you sit down to write. Keep it light, such as “Hey muse, let’s go!” Or make it serious, as in “I am calling in the divine creative energy of my ancestors to write this steamy romance.” (Okay, maybe that’s not so serious, lol).
Or you could specific intentions each time you sit down, like “Today I want to figure out what happens in chapter ten.”
Whatever you choose, it can help to state what you want, whether you add some woo or not.
Plan what you’re going to write, and get specific
Before starting to write, you might decide that you want to set a specific word count goal for your writing session. Or you might decide to get a specific task done, such as finishing a certain chapter or making progress on an outline. But having some sort of idea of what you want to accomplish before you start will help you stay clear regarding your objectives.
In any case, just remember whatever you set up for your writing time, it’s your personal plan. Make it simple and attainable so you can celebrate some wins. But if for some reason you don’t quite make your goal or you don’t get to brew that special tea, be sure to cut yourself some slack. The worst thing we can do for our creativity is make ourselves feel bad!
Do you have any rituals or routines that you like to use when you write? Feel free to drop your ideas in the comments, we’d love to know how you do it!
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