Thursday rolls around quite quickly, doesn’t it?
How’s your week been?
Are your writing goals on track? Are you procrastinating more than you’d like? We writers love to procrastinate. Which always amazes me. Doesn’t change the fact that I procrastinate too, but why on earth do we put off doing something we love? I think the answer lies somewhere between it gets hard and I don’t know what I’m doing.
So this week’s Thread Topic is all about what to do when things get tough. Those times where you don’t know what you’re trying to say. When the story has wandered off down a dark alley and you’re too afraid to follow it.
Read on.
Thursday Thread Topic
Procrastinating? Do this instead.
Ever found yourself putting off writing? Sorry, stupid question. Let me try again.
Have you ever wondered how to push past pesky procrastination?
Of course you have! And I bet you’ve tried so many different things to stop procrastinating, so much so you’ve ended up procrastinating about procrastinating.
But, have you tried freewriting?
What is freewriting?
Freewriting is probably a practice most famously encouraged by Julia Cameron in her 1992 book The Artist’s Way.
No doubt freewriting has been done since the dawn of time, or at least since we learned how to put quill to parchment. But Julia’s recommendation of her morning pages, where you freewrite three pages the moment you wake up, has helped many a writer out of their creativity funk. So why not use it when you’re procrastinating?
How freewriting can help you stop procrastinating?
The act of freewriting (which my auto-correct spelling keeps telling me is not a word but we’ll ignore her) is to clear your mind. To let words fill the page without any intention. A form of meditation to prepare yourself for the day ahead. The idea is to write - long hand - and stop when you have three pages of whatever it is that flows from your brain. You don’t read over them and you certainly don’t show anyone.
By using this practice, not first thing in the morning, but when you sit down to write and feel like procrastinating instead. Once you get your bottom on the seat (sorry can’t help with that part), you simply open a journal, a notepad, or even a blank page on your computer, whack on a five minute timer and write.
By doing this you will flush out the debris and detritus from your mind and give yourself the best chance and starting with a clear head to tackle your project.
2 ways to use freewriting
I like to use freewriting in a couple of ways when I’m stuck in my manuscript and feel like doing anything else but (even the ironing!).
As above. Sit down and write for five minutes and let the words, any words spill out.
The second way I like to use freewriting is when I want to go deeper into something in my manuscript. For example: perhaps my character’s motivations are weak and I’m trying to get to the essence of what she wants and indeed what she needs. Instead, of trying to get this to ‘show up’ on the page during the narrative, I’ll take five minutes and freewrite. I might freewrite in the character’s voice spilling out secrets, discovering old wounds or quirks, like I would a journal entry. Or, I might interview the character in a particular setting they might find themselves in e.g. a job interview, police interrogation whatever might be relevant to your story.
Another way might be to create a scene for the book (that probably won’t end up in the book) but could be used to help unpick the character.
None of this freewriting is likely to ever be used in the book, but it’s a simple and mostly effective way of digging deeper in a different way.
So next time you find yourself researching bonsai or cleaning the top shelf of the pantry instead of writing why not try some freewriting?
At the very least you’ll be able to say you did write today. And that’s always a win.
Have you tried freewriting? Or morning pages or something similar?
Comps & Opps & News
The Scarlet Stiletto Awards are now open. If you’re writing crime or mystery, this short story competition is a must. Find out more here.
Friday Feedback Sessions
I have one writer patiently pulling together a sample for an upcoming Friday Feedback, but has put things on hold for a moment. So who else is interested?
Do you have a scene, a chapter, a synopsis, a query letter, anything that you’d love feedback on? (Max 2,000 words)
Then be part of the Friday Feedback Session. You’ll get personalised feedback from me, and with your permission, I’ll share some of my advice with the group here so we can all learn and grow.
Hit me up!
Next Writing Zoom
Our next writing zoom session will be held:
Wednesday 14th August at 10am AEST
Here’s the zoom link!
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Jodi Gibson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: WSC Writing Zoom & Chat
Time: Aug 14, 2024 10:00 AM Australia/Melbourne
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87613145179?pwd=sZJHvjc8obD0EgqIczIiSbPiSrpsvy.1
Meeting ID: 876 1314 5179
Passcode: 250099
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And don’t forget our next Author Zoom is on Monday 19th August at 7:30pm AEST with the wonderful Anne Freeman, author of Returning to Adelaide and Me That You See. This one is going to be so much fun, so whack it in your diary!
Coming soon…
I’m working on something exciting. And I think you’re all going to like it. It will be fun, nerve-wracking, and empowering. Watch this space.
Link Roundup
Each week I’ll post some interesting articles that I’ve discovered on Substack.
Just like this one from Sara at Creative Work (Is Real Work) who’s article What Publishing Really Wants is worth a read. It’s all about what it takes to be traditionally published.
And while this one wasn’t technically published on Substack, Jane did share it on her Substack notes. And if you’re an ‘underwriter’ who never gets enough words down in the first draft you’ll be interested to read it.
4 Questions to Strengthen Lean Manuscripts
What’s on your mind?
What’s been on your mind this week? Care to share?
I’ve been thinking about nostalgia and how I know I have a novel in me where nostalgia will be a big theme or part of the story. What that is, I have no idea. Yet.
Sara’s article (above in the link round up) also got me to thinking about what makes a ‘good’ story. Isn’t it different for everyone? But is there a common link? Is it simply something that grabs the reader’s attention? Something that’s compelling? Relatable? What makes a story good? It’s a bit like the chicken and the egg question, or the big bang theory.
What’s on your mind?
Thanks for the prompts. I finally wrote 600 words today. I have to free-write because I'm not sure what's happening at the moment! Lol! I know it will work out.