How to get a book out of your head

Writers feel frustrated when they are unable to move from daydreaming to writing. Although the desire to write is strong, the frustrated writer just can't seem to jumpstart the writing process. She's mentally stuck. This creates a sense of failure, low self-esteem, frustration, and even panic. We're missing that creative relief, release, and happiness we so desperately seek from the act of writing. 

We call this problem "procrastination," but I wonder if that's too simple a diagnosis.

Maybe we've got it all wrong. Thinking and dreaming are definitely part of the writing process. You can't write a book without mental activity first. But have you ever considered that the transition from thinking to writing is, in itself, worthy of our attention? Could it be that the transition is as much of the writing process as daydreaming and actual writing?

Thanks to Mairéad Hanrahan's review of The Preparation of the Novel, we get a glimpse of the rituals and self-created environments of some of the world's most prolific, successful writers. 

The Preparation of the Novel includes the notes of lectures delivered by the late Roland Barthes at the Collège de France in the 1970's. According to Columbia University Press, his American publisher, "Barthes's lectures move from the desire to write to the actual decision making, planning, and material act of producing a novel."

The only thing separating a writer who writes from a writer who talks about writing is the former's ability to flip the writing switch to "on." This is a mindset and a practice that can be learned. 

Although Barthes' book is about writing the novel, the ideas definitely apply to the rest of us who write nonfiction. Here are some questions to help you make the transition from thinking to doing.

1. Do you have an undeniable physical urge to write? Hanrahan says that Barthes looks at the “maniacal” urge in the author’s body to write. That's not as crazy as it sounds. When I have an idea for an article or a book, I do my usual daydreaming and, yes, procrastinating. It gets to a point where my physical body can't contain the ideas any more and I MUST write. In an explosion, the words burst forth from the walls of my body. It's crazy, really exciting, and a relief. That's often how I get started. Sustaining the discipline is another story.

2. Where do you feel most motivated to write? J.K. Rowlings wrote the Harry Potter books at cafés. In an interview she said, "You don't have to make your own coffee, you don't have to feel like you're in solitary confinement and if you have writers block, you can get up and walk to the next café while giving your batteries time to recharge and brain time to think."

I love to write when flying. My thinking is clear, and I feel a heightened creativity. I once wrote most of the first draft of a book on a flight home from Las Vegas.

3. When do you feel most motivated to write? Some writers like waking up at the crack of dawn, while others prefer the night time hours. There's something subversive about writing at night, like you're the only person awake in the world. Whenever you feel motivated and creative is what's important. Start honoring your most creative time of day by sitting at the computer and taking the plunge. 

Some other ideas not mentioned in the review but might be worth thinking about:

• Does weather get you in the mood to write? For some strange reason, cloudy, overcast days make me feel "literary."
  
• Do you like to write when you travel?
  
• Have you ever tried writing in a library, bookstore, restaurant, or café? For social butterflies who hate the idea of writing at home alone, this may be the answer. I've never known anyone who tried to write at a nightclub, but it could work!
  
• If you prefer recording your thoughts and then transcribing the tapes later, do you keep a recorder in your car? 

Bottom line: you can listen to motivational speakers all day long, but only intrinsic motivation will make you productive. Becoming a prolific writer is just as much about the art and science of making yourself do something as stringing words and sentences together. 

So what can you do to enhance your writing space? Schedule the best writing time? How about setting the alarm on your cell phone? 

What are some rituals that will create a mood and inner motivation to write?

Donna Marie

Jumpstart Monday // UPGRADE your writing space

I asked my daughter if she made any resolutions for the new year. She said, "What for? No one keeps them anyway." 

She has a point. Every year I vow to lose the weight (read here) and end up gaining a couple more pounds instead. 

Why do we resolve to do better every year when our resolution track record from years past is nothing to write about?

Keeping hope alive?

Prepare for success

Maybe we don't do enough to prepare for success. There's something to be said for beginning a new diet with a clean sweep of the refrigerator, pantry, and kitchen cabinets.

We ought to do the same with our writing space. Whether at the office or at home, this space is the place where missions are accomplished and dreams are realized. It deserves to be functional, organized, and beautiful. 

If your goal is to actually complete your writing projects this year, then before writing your first words of 2011, give some time to upgrading your workspace.

As I write this, my first post of the new year, I'm noticing that my workspace is a total disaster. Not just things from 2010 but as far back as 2005 are creating clutter. 

I'm not even a hoarder. Nevertheless scraps of paper have settled in piles. Dust covered DVDs and books patiently wait to be viewed and read. (One is Leslie Sansone's Walk Slim: Fast Firming! DVD. I forgot I had bought it!)

Today I encourage you to take stock of your workspace. Organize. Clean up.

1. Update reference tools. Yes we can use dictionaries and other references on the Internet, but many writers like to keep physical copies on hand. Check the copyright dates. It might be time to get the latest editions. Conventions change over time, and you should stay current in your writing.

2. Clean up. This might be an all day project, but it's worth it. Throw out stuff you don't need.

3. Organize. No more trying to find stuff that's hiding under a pile of old papers. Everything in its place. I hate to file, so I have a big drawer that I throw important papers in. So far this method has worked for me.

4. Furnish. Don't spend on big money wants. Get only what you need. I have so many books that I've run out of bookshelf space. Solution? Buy another bookshelf. That will be my one investment in office furniture in 2011, and it will help keep my space tidy. What do you need? 

5. Beautify. We writers need inspiration from time to time. Beautify your workspace with flowers, symbolic knick knacks that have special meaning for you, artwork – anything that makes you feel good just by looking at it. Every year I invest in an art calendar, and I love going to thrift shops for original art, silk plants, baskets, etc. You don't have to spend a lot of money!

Need a little inspiration to get started? Check out these beautiful work spaces here and here.

A clean, organized, and functional workspace can motivate you to write. Lower blood pressure, fewer panic attacks, and smiles can be yours with an office space upgrade. It's a great thing to do for yourself.

By the way, have any of you bought office furniture from Craig's List or Ebay? Was it a good experience? What did you buy, and how much did you spend?

Best wishes for a successful, prosperous 2011!

Donna Marie