Post by Jen on Sept 8, 2016 12:50:12 GMT
Before we even begin to write, I want you to think about your writing space and how you need to view your writing time.
WHAT
What are you going to write on? For the purpose of this forum, you will have to type something up. But you may also want to use a notebook. Get a new one, for the purpose of this course, and make it a lovely one. Buy a new pen too. You are important and your writing materials must show that. It's important to say that if you are planning on doing all your writing on a computer, it's still worth buying a small notebook to jot down ideas or thoughts while you are out and about.
WHERE
Where are you going to write? Out and about, at home, stuck in a hospital? If you can, make it a comfy space - with good access to cups of tea. You may want to choose a specific place and stick to it - this will help your brain prepare for being creative after a short while (brains love routine and patterns). If it's something difficult to write about - go somewhere else, into a private but different place, so you can leave the emotions that came with it there.
WHEN
What time of day are you going to write? Late evening, early morning, or somewhere in the middle? Early morning can be good because the world tends to be asleep - you won't have any distractions and can then feel a sense of achievement all day. Late evening suits others because they want to deal with things that have happened during the day - writing helps them sleep. If your life is too unpredictable, promise yourself to write for 5 minutes and then seize those 5 minutes when they come up.
HOW
It doesn't matter what you write or how you write it. It doesn't matter how much or how little you write. It doesn't matter how it's spelt or if it makes sense. Honestly. And there is no right or wrong with this kind of writing. You may worry that you won't be able to think about what to write, but I can promise you, something will always happen. So let go of any concerns about the quality of your work.
HOW OFTEN
But like all new things, you need to build up writing stamina: if you try and write for a few hours everyday, I'd be very surprised if you were still writing 3 weeks on. Little and often is key. And a big part of writing is the not-writing in between. Your mind will be working things out even you aren't aware of it. So if you can write, then have some breathing space, and write again, that would be ideal. Momentum is good but there is no rush with this writing. Do each step when you can.
WHY
You are doing this for you. Hopefully it will prove helpful - and even possibly fun. But don't think of it as something that is good for you, like green vegetables or regular exercise. People are funny beings - knowing something might be good for us never gives us a lot of motivation. Most of the time, it becomes a chore. This is not going to be a chore. You are going to spend time getting to know yourself a bit better. Think how much time you give to everyone else - I expect you come last. For these moments, these snatches of time, you are the number one priority. You can switch off your mobile phone, ignore the doorbell and demands of other people for 5 minutes - and possibly even 10. Really, you can.
So, have a think about all of this and get ready: choose your space, your time to write and a notebook if you need one, and then we can begin
Please post underneath to say what you've decided about each point and how much time you think you'll be able to get on, say, a weekly basis.
WHAT
What are you going to write on? For the purpose of this forum, you will have to type something up. But you may also want to use a notebook. Get a new one, for the purpose of this course, and make it a lovely one. Buy a new pen too. You are important and your writing materials must show that. It's important to say that if you are planning on doing all your writing on a computer, it's still worth buying a small notebook to jot down ideas or thoughts while you are out and about.
WHERE
Where are you going to write? Out and about, at home, stuck in a hospital? If you can, make it a comfy space - with good access to cups of tea. You may want to choose a specific place and stick to it - this will help your brain prepare for being creative after a short while (brains love routine and patterns). If it's something difficult to write about - go somewhere else, into a private but different place, so you can leave the emotions that came with it there.
WHEN
What time of day are you going to write? Late evening, early morning, or somewhere in the middle? Early morning can be good because the world tends to be asleep - you won't have any distractions and can then feel a sense of achievement all day. Late evening suits others because they want to deal with things that have happened during the day - writing helps them sleep. If your life is too unpredictable, promise yourself to write for 5 minutes and then seize those 5 minutes when they come up.
HOW
It doesn't matter what you write or how you write it. It doesn't matter how much or how little you write. It doesn't matter how it's spelt or if it makes sense. Honestly. And there is no right or wrong with this kind of writing. You may worry that you won't be able to think about what to write, but I can promise you, something will always happen. So let go of any concerns about the quality of your work.
HOW OFTEN
But like all new things, you need to build up writing stamina: if you try and write for a few hours everyday, I'd be very surprised if you were still writing 3 weeks on. Little and often is key. And a big part of writing is the not-writing in between. Your mind will be working things out even you aren't aware of it. So if you can write, then have some breathing space, and write again, that would be ideal. Momentum is good but there is no rush with this writing. Do each step when you can.
WHY
You are doing this for you. Hopefully it will prove helpful - and even possibly fun. But don't think of it as something that is good for you, like green vegetables or regular exercise. People are funny beings - knowing something might be good for us never gives us a lot of motivation. Most of the time, it becomes a chore. This is not going to be a chore. You are going to spend time getting to know yourself a bit better. Think how much time you give to everyone else - I expect you come last. For these moments, these snatches of time, you are the number one priority. You can switch off your mobile phone, ignore the doorbell and demands of other people for 5 minutes - and possibly even 10. Really, you can.
So, have a think about all of this and get ready: choose your space, your time to write and a notebook if you need one, and then we can begin
Please post underneath to say what you've decided about each point and how much time you think you'll be able to get on, say, a weekly basis.