The rule every writer should follow (even lazy ones like me)
One way I know I’m improving as a writer is that now I not only read advice from other writers, but I can also motivate myself with my own words. I can store everything I’ve learned about the art of writing and put it into practice.
For example, yesterday I spent the whole day procrastinating. I didn’t do anything productive, even though I had a list to follow. And the problem wasn’t just yesterday. The truth is, I’ve been putting off writing for some time now.
In general, I know what’s going to happen next in my story. I can even do a summary, but every time I sit down to write, it seems like my brain isn’t into it. The words don’t come.
I blame my perfectionism a bit, but not only that, because I know it’s the first draft. And the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect; it can be as “crappy” as possible (excuse the language). I even convinced myself that this is just another draft of a draft to see if I could do something, but…
Until I said “NO” today. I started watching some videos on how to combat procrastination and then made a list similar to this one:
12:50-1:00 PM – Lunch
1:00-1:20 PM – Outline Chapter 1
1:20-3:00 PM – Write Chapter 1
3:00-4:00 PM – Read 3 chapters of a book
4:00-4:20 PM – Outline Chapter 2
4:20-5:00 PM – Homework
It is now 3:35 PM, and I only have the homework left to do.
Because I disciplined myself, had willpower, and ended up doing something more productive than just sitting on the bed all day feeling guilty for not doing anything all day.
So, what is the first rule of a writer?
Make writing a discipline. Don’t feel inspired today? No problem, write for just 10 minutes instead of an hour or all day. Write a word! At least it’s one more word than you had yesterday. Write about things that don’t make sense or something that has nothing to do with your story. Make an outline of what you need to write next. Make lists of what is supposed to happen but you don’t know HOW it’s going to happen, so you know where to keep your eyes open.
Imagine you have a character tied up and they need to be freed, but you have no idea how. Write on a list:
“Next step: figure out how to free Character A.”
Write down every possible way you can think of, no matter how ridiculous it may seem. Even if it’s with a toothpick.
Keep your eyes open in TV shows and books when characters are trapped and then get free. How did they do it? If nothing else, you can always use the excuse that you were watching TV to help you study a scene in your writing.
The first rule of a writer is to always think about writing, even when you’re not writing.
PATRICIA MORAIS
I write bilingual (PT and EN) supernatural fantasy books inspired by mythology and folklore from around the world. But my actual mission is to help other writers write, publish and market their books.
