july 18

writing is not best done all or nothing. that's how we think of it sometimes, looking forward to that day when we can write for a set period, forget about real life, the day job and bills and just do what we want to do. there will be times in life that accomodate that, but for others, you will have to make carving out writing time a priority. and by that, i don't mean, huge chunks of time. it can be as easy as a half an hour where you get right down to work and churn out something good. don't let the dream get in the way of your reality.

writing prompt:

set the timer for 30 minutes and plug away at an on-going project. mark on the calendar the days you are able to accomplish this

july 17

when you are finding the step from vision of a scene to the execution of one is going agonizingly slowly, do not be paralyzed by making it fabulous the first time around. The secret to making progress is simply to put one finger on the keyboard after another, just like the steps of a journey. Each day or writing session will come up with a new way to look at the work so if you focus first on getting the word count and the frame of the story aligned, you can later cut and polish much faster to your heart's content.

writing prompt:

with your scene today, if you are trying to find the right words, stop and fill in the most rudimentary of phrases. Later you can think about it (likely when you are occupied with something completely different) and come up with something much more clever. Right now your job is simply to fill the page.

july 16

getting into your character's head can be a messy place. if you see where the plot should go before it is time to (an aha moment where you picture the story's ending, perhaps, or a scene that you are leading up to a few chapters in the future), simply make note of it in short form or type it out scriptwriter style at the end of your document with a few lines space in between your current narrative and it. It is an easy way to not lose steam or get distracted.

writing prompt:

during your work today record any scattered thoughts (both fiction and non-fiction) at the end of your document. at the end of your writing session, you can either continue with pursuing one of them or leaving them for another day.

july 15

the best way to lose yourself in your writing is to have some small work of fiction on the go. you can incorporate your writing prompts into it, and if you fear that would make your novel in progress too choppy, you can opt to work on a series of short story pieces instead. short stories wrap up and edit well; they are convienient to have on hand to submit to magazines and contests; and they are like the literary equivalent of sprinting. It's a good way to train.

writing prompt:

whether it's going to be a scene or a short story, give yourself a sketched out plot and a word count and complete something for your files.

july 14

We spend a lot of time as writers trying to get and stay inspired. Sometimes though, it's the opposite problem -- the keeping up with ideas. For when the challenge is not the coming up with ideas, but the seeing them through to completion, it's about staying focused and a bit organized. Otherwise, in the midst of multiple projects and fear of failure, we can flounder in a bunch of things not done.

Writing Prompt:

Pick one idea, ideally one that has been hanging over your head somewhat and see one through to completion. For the rest of the ideas that pop up, banish them to a binder or box (separated by dividers or envelopes if you want to take it to the next level of organization) Later when you have time to write out those ideas, you can go back to storage

july 13

Writing can provide a shelf for the memories. Nostalgia is one of the most comforting forms of recording history. Do it for yourself and others. Think back as far as you can to your childhood or your children’s early childhood. How would it be different than others’? More special? What is the element that everyone can relate to?

Writing Prompt: put the memories on the page whether by event or free writing for a set time. Free yourself to live today by celebrating yesterday

july 12

One of the biggest challenges for the every-day writer is pushing through writer’s block. It is worse for some of us than others though we all can suffer. On some days no matter what you do, you just are not as physcholgically free to write as others. What if you were truly frozen?

Writing Prompt: describe the worst writer’s block day. What does it involve/key elements? How will you break through it? Post it on your bulletin board as a reminder that things could be worse