A few days ago we talked about the importance of reading. Today we’re going to turn that topic on its head and talk about the flip side – writing. Writing is definitely as important (and rewarding!) as reading, but in different ways.
The problem most of us have is that we endured twelve years in a school system that tried to teach us to “write correctly”. Everything we wrote down was scrutinized, nitpicked, and red-penned. Owing to that, many of us believe that we can’t write very well.
I want you to forget all of that insanity. I’m not asking you to write a book or draft a term paper. All I’m asking is that you use a pen and paper (or a keyboard) to get some words out of your head on a consistent basis.
Let’s talk about how we’ll be doing that.
Keeping An Idea Notebook/Note File
It’s been said that the brain is good for thinking, but not so good for long-term information storage. Ever had a really good idea, and then forgotten it an hour later when you tried to remember? I have too, and it’s frustrating!
This propensity to forget things quickly means that one of the single best habits you can develop is the habit of writing down ideas as they come to you.
This doesn’t have to be difficult! Keep a notebook (if you’re a paper person) or a note file (if you’re the digital sort), and use it as a repository for all the random ideas that pop into your head.
I have a notepad in the bag I carry with me, and I literally have a file on my computer called “Scrap notes” that contains all of my as-yet-unprocessed harebrained ideas.
This post, in fact, started as a simple, short note in that file – “Shift415 – Writing”.
If you think of something interesting, write it down. It’s that simple! Don’t worry about when you’ll use it, or if you’ll use it – just get it written down before you lose it.
Journal Writing
Some people really enjoy keeping a journal. Usually this contains a certain type of writing – a diary, poetry, progress on various goals, etc.
You could figure out a format that works for you, get a journal, and commit to writing in it for fifteen minutes a day. Nobody else ever has to see your writing, so you can write about whatever you want.
I don’t personally do journals anymore, but my wife uses them with some frequency. You can use anything from a cheap spiral notebook to a computer program to a hand-carved leather journal. The medium doesn’t matter – it’s what you write in it that counts.
Random Writing
There’s no saying that writing has to be focused in a particular direction – you can write about whatever you like. Oh, and if you need ideas, go consult the little notebook (or note file) where you’re jotting down all of your ideas.
Now turn one into a poem. Or you could write a short story. Compose your thoughts on a topic in a paragraph or two. Write something funny, and send it to a friend.
What You Write Doesn’t Matter
It really doesn’t. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to produce perfect writing!
The point of this writing practice is to help you process what’s going on in your own head, and develop your ability to think things through.
There’s nothing that helps you get clarity on what you believe, think, or feel quite like writing it all down and having to organize it in a logical, coherent manner.
Even if all you write is “I don’t have anything to write about. I wish I could think of something to write about. How do professional authors do this?”, that’s progress!
Just write. It’ll get better, I promise!
How I’m Applying It
I write on the computer. Usually I write in WordPress (since most of my writing is for this blog), but I do have a nice text editor I use for non-blog stuff.
I always consult my note file, unless I have another idea at the front of my mind when I sit down to write. My note file has more notes than I know what to do with (and, by the way, yours will too – once you start writing ideas down).
If I think I need the reinforcement, I’ll set my kitchen timer for 15 minutes – but usually once I get going I don’t have a hard time making it to 15.
Either way, I’ll be spending at least 15 minutes a day working on a blog post or some other personal writing project this month.
What about you? Do you write consistently? Do you think it would benefit you if you did? If you’re a more advanced writer, any tips to share with the rest of us?
Let me know in the comments!