How to Write
Real life can be a pain in the ass.
Let's face it, sometimes you just get so busy that by the time you get home and have time to yourself, you collapse onto your bed and pass out. Or, you have no brain power left and end up mindlessly checking Facebook and Tumblr. Well, most of that is just me. But I'm pretty sure it applies to other people too.
The best thing I've ever done to get myself to write is to write a little bit everyday. Even if it's just a paragraph or writing down a story idea. Sometimes writing just for the sake of writing is the best thing you can do.
It also helps to get into a routine with writing. When I was in high school, I used to write everyday before bed. I would take a shower, say goodnight to my family, then go to my room, open my laptop and just write. It got to the point that I couldn't lay down on my bed without my brain starting up with plot ideas and character developments.
I would even wake up at 2:00am and just grab my laptop and write. (Mom, if you ever wondered why I was so tired after school, it's because I had been up since 2:00am...whoops)
Now that I'm getting back into the habit of writing everyday, I've noticed that ideas are coming to me more frequently. Sometimes I will be doing something completely unrelated to writing and an idea just pops into my head. Usually then I get really excited and my brain is like "Ooo! Ooo! What if...what if this happened and then this character had to do this and..."
Sometimes my brain doesn't tell my mouth not say things out-loud so I end up talking to myself while practically jumping up and down. Or, I get so excited I try to tell someone the idea but get so tongue tied I can't. It's all part of the process.
Which brings me to my next point: don't be afraid to talk to yourself.
If you are having trouble with a scene, sometimes talking it out helps. If there is someone you know that you can constantly bounce ideas off of, that's great. If you'd rather not talk to anyone about what you are writing, talking to yourself works just as well. I can't tell you how many times I sat along in my bedroom, trying to work out a scene while talking to myself. "Okay well, if Mordia is going here then she can't go here...well that was dumb of you. Hmmm...but what if she goes here instead? Nope. That's stupid too!" (Note: you don't have to insult yourself. Probably shouldn't actually).
Most importantly, find what works for you. People will always be there to give you advice, whether you want it or not. But every writer has a different process. Find the process that works for you and stick with it!
The best thing I've ever done to get myself to write is to write a little bit everyday. Even if it's just a paragraph or writing down a story idea. Sometimes writing just for the sake of writing is the best thing you can do.
It also helps to get into a routine with writing. When I was in high school, I used to write everyday before bed. I would take a shower, say goodnight to my family, then go to my room, open my laptop and just write. It got to the point that I couldn't lay down on my bed without my brain starting up with plot ideas and character developments.
I would even wake up at 2:00am and just grab my laptop and write. (Mom, if you ever wondered why I was so tired after school, it's because I had been up since 2:00am...whoops)
Now that I'm getting back into the habit of writing everyday, I've noticed that ideas are coming to me more frequently. Sometimes I will be doing something completely unrelated to writing and an idea just pops into my head. Usually then I get really excited and my brain is like "Ooo! Ooo! What if...what if this happened and then this character had to do this and..."
Sometimes my brain doesn't tell my mouth not say things out-loud so I end up talking to myself while practically jumping up and down. Or, I get so excited I try to tell someone the idea but get so tongue tied I can't. It's all part of the process.
Which brings me to my next point: don't be afraid to talk to yourself.
If you are having trouble with a scene, sometimes talking it out helps. If there is someone you know that you can constantly bounce ideas off of, that's great. If you'd rather not talk to anyone about what you are writing, talking to yourself works just as well. I can't tell you how many times I sat along in my bedroom, trying to work out a scene while talking to myself. "Okay well, if Mordia is going here then she can't go here...well that was dumb of you. Hmmm...but what if she goes here instead? Nope. That's stupid too!" (Note: you don't have to insult yourself. Probably shouldn't actually).
Most importantly, find what works for you. People will always be there to give you advice, whether you want it or not. But every writer has a different process. Find the process that works for you and stick with it!
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