Writing paralysis

Yesterday I met with a coach who wants to write a book.  And she's wanted to write for some time; we discussed the subject when we met last year.

She has made progress; she's worked through a model book proposal format, so she done some in-depth work on the book and received feedback from friends. 

Why hasn't she gone further with her writing?

Three reasons for writing paralysis:

1. We want it to be perfect.
2. We think everything's already been said.
3. We aren't completely connected with the book.

These are common challenges people face when they set out to write a book and they probably stop 8 out of 10 people from going further. 

What can be done to break writing paralysis?

1. You can only do the best you can at any given point in time.  There's always a second edition or reprint if you find other things you wished you'd included.  It will never be perfect.
2. You can only write from your unique perspective.  It's your life experience that creates the difference because it can never be the same as the next person.  Even if you went through exactly the same events and circumstances, you'd still come out differently because you would have your own perspective on events.  That unique perspective is the place you begin to write.
3. You have to create writing your book as a visceral experience.  Not academic in your head, but a down to earth getting your hands dirty job that you know will make a difference to someone.

It was interesting that we both work from the same place.  That if what we do helps just one person to move on further with their life path then what we've done, the effort, the ideas and the passion, will have been worthwhile.

If you want to write a book, then ask yourself if you have the right to deprive someone of your wisdom and life experience when it might be the one thing to make a difference for them.

What feeds your spirit?

Though I'm a luddite generally with machines, there are some parts of our new technology that I love.  E-mail because it helps me keep in touch with family on the other side of the world.  And teleseminars because they also help me keep in touch; with writing development, with business development and with spirit development.

For the last few months I've taken advantage of generous people who are sharing an enquiry they're making about the future of spirituality. Led by Craig Hamilton they've gathered together an interesting group of people.

Now I have no idea what your faith or beliefs are.  We might agree or not.  That's not important.  What's important to me is that I want to offer you the same opportunity to listen to these people who are in their own lives forging ahead in how they integrate their spirituality.  Despite my initial misgivngs about the series, I've learned something from each speaker.

Like - we are made of Stardust from Connie Barlow.  That thought had me singing to myself for a whole week.  The link below takes you to a download page.  I hope that can find something of value there.

http://www.evolutionaryspirituality.com/audios/index.php

What makes a 21st century writer?

Going to the Writing Industries conference last Saturday was a new experience for me because my normal networking is business focused not writing focused.

My usual experience networking is to be the exception that proves the rule.

Writers do exist outside their garrets and the pages of their books.

For me to meet up with another writer is rare and we huddle together like distant cousins of a long lost tribe.
And talk about. . .

Commas versus semi-colons
The use of adverbs
And how can you persuade clients to listen to your advice about not putting Welcome to my Website as their header.

Sad sacks aren’t we?

So going to WIC was like being in a family gathering. A family that might argue, speak different dialects and travel down strange paths (vampires anyone).

But at the same time speaking the same basic language.  We love writing, connecting with readers and the power of words.

What does it take to be a writer these days?

1. You have to be nimble on your feet. Creating success in any writing field is about flexibility.

Write novels? Try your hand at poetry.
Write non-fiction? Give a novel a go.
Write plays? Why not try non-fiction.

This applies no less to business writing. It amazes me, the people I talk to who with total confidence tackle creating workshops but pale at the thought of writing a book

To me it’s the same difference. Once you’ve worked out how to connect with readers, the medium matters not a jot. Blog, articles, Tweets, workshops, books are all tools for a confident writer to use.

2. You have to want to connect

That may sound obvious but the amount of text I see that sets out to put off readers is growing not reducing.

Long sentences
Even longer and denser paragraphs.
‘All about the writer’ text.

As a writer you have to get over yourself.  We’re not important. Our readers are.

3. You have to work at it.

Inspiration doesn’t exist in a special bay at the supermarket.
It's not surrounded by flashing lights so you can recognise it.
The inspiration fairy doesn’t leave it under your pillow in exchange for being good.

The conference was called Writing Industries Conference and the keynote speaker Graham Joyce underlined everything I believe about writing.

You may have talent as a writer. If you’re lucky you may be blessed with exceptional talent like Shakespeare and Dickens.  But even very talented writers fail.  And it's usually for one reason..

they haven’t worked at it.

That’s the bottom line….

You have to work at it.

Every day.

Without fail.

Whether you feel like it or not.

Can't get started as a writer?

People often ask me how to get started in writing.

‘When do you write?’ I ask.

'Oh well I don’t get much time' At that point I switch off.

Because the only way you can improve on any talent you’ve been given is to write.

And study other writers.

And read

Then write some more.

I know you’re busy. I’m busy. We’re all busy.

Writing challenge

If you want to write but think you haven’t the time, I challenge you to find 15 minutes every day for the next 30 days and write. Stop watching yet another house purchase programme and write instead.

By the end of the 30 days you’ll find out  either you can’t bear the thought of another 15 minutes of hell, in which case I advise you to give up on your dream/illusion of being a writer…

Or more likely, you’ll have found that 15 minutes isn’t enough and are snatching extra time from feeding the cat, the goldfish or even the family.

Like one writer I met last week who said ’I resent anything that takes me away from my writing.’

Doesn’t make us No 1 in Miss Peabody’s charm school maybe but if you’re like that lady and me you’ll have found something that makes your toes tingle and your brain fizz.

Welcome to the working world of writers.

Happy Birthday Elizabeth George

Today is the birthday of one of my writing heros - the wonderful Elizabeth George.  She's been an inspiration to me for many years.  I've read her with delight, satisfaction and awe at the way she constructs her plots and writes her characters. 

If you've never read her book about writing 'Write Away' published by Hodder, then I urge you to devour it.  There are so many lessons there for those of us still trying to achieve success in our novels.

It's not so much a writing primer, as a way that one successful novelist approachs writing.

Now I'm waiting to pounce on the new book, This Body of Death, when it appears this year.  Long may she continue to write.

Business writing: one of the essential elements

I've just written an article on creating successful headlines - and why it's important for business writing.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Business-Writing-Essentials---Headlines&id=3776822

Writers in the Leicester/Nottingham areas

The next meeting of the Creative Coffee Club held at the Phoenix Centre in Leicester is 3 March 2010.  Meet up with like-minded people and find out what's happening.

Business writers:artists or constructors?

What are you; a writer or a constructor of words?

In the past couple of years I've been helping people write books.  On business mostly.  And every time I start my intention is to show them how to do it faster and easier.  For some people this means destroying their fear of the blank page.  For others it means taking away the fear that they can't be a 'real' writer because they aren't creative.

I can understand both of these fears because I've been through those dark tunnels.  So destroying them for would be writers is a priority for me.

How we label things has impact we often don't understand till too late.  Like 'your grammar is rubbish'.  Or 'you don't have a creative bone in your body'. 

Too many people assume that they have to wait for inspiration before they begin.  I believe that's wrong.  All writing needs scaffolding like a new build.  It needs the support of a structure that assists you in moving through the process.

Now I revere writers.  People whose work I look in awe at and I think it would be impossible for me to write like them.  For example Chekhov and Shakespeare.  But that's not where my writing is situated.  I'm not writing masterpieces that will last for 500 years where the language has become an integral part of how we speak.

What I've evolved over the last 8 years is a way of writing that works in my situation.  That has taken away the fear of starting, creating something and finishing.  And it upsets me when I see otherwise effective, capable people put blocks in their own path by assuming that writing is different from every other activity.

It's not.  It can be taught, learned and passed on.  The skills that go into producing an article, a website or a book are all achievable by anyone who has acquired other skills.  Applying the same learning methods to writing can create amazing results for you in your life and businesses.

Because writing does change you.  However you achieve it, writing will alter how you feel about yourself.  Especially if you go on the adventure that is writing a book.  I defy anyone to try it and not be different at the end of the process.

It's scary.  You put your heart and soul on every page.   Even if no other human being reads it, you would still be different.   Now I'm not saying that you don't have to work at it.  And if you're honest you wouldn't expect that would you?   Everything else you've achieved has taken some effort.

Same thing with writing.

That's no reason not to start is it?  And if it helps to rename what you're doing, then go for it.  You can probably find enough pieces of business writing you've already done that you can use as your scaffold. 

Take a look.  You might surprise yourself at how fast you can collect enough for a book.

Good constructing!