I’ve been trying to get myself to write down words that come to me and not worry about making a poem or essay. Just write words and see where they lead me.
Fear is such a huge block. Fear of failure, fear of disappointment, disappointing, of what people will think, or won’t think, etc! Playing is the most important part.
Fear is a natural reaction when the mind feels it isn’t in control. We are the only ones holding us back, because of fear. Yeah, it’s hard to face our fear, but it’s very important that we do, because by taking the leap and facing our fear, we discover we have many gifts to share.
You show that with everything you write, Cesca! 💞❤️
I'm fascinated by outlines. I used to crank out 150-200 pages of reports, proposals, and impact assessments under two to three page deadlines.there was usually a set of guidelines, but I never wrote an outline. I found it more in keeping with the chaos of my mental chaos to just plunge in. In medias res. Unfortunately this was a habit first formed when I was learning to write outlines and compositions for grammar school English. I found that I got better results by writing the composition first, then backing into the mandatory outline. Sister Mary of the Bleeding Knee always thought my outlines and compositions were great, and she often held them up to the class as examples of sound organization.
Well said. Getting over that terror of the blank space, whether paper or screen, is the first big step. And once you get it down on that blank space, your heart will sing. That's the fun of writing, right there.
I truly hope she listened to your good advice C J . there are absolutely no rules when you write . hugs and peace , and advanced notice i might be off line few days this week .
My first year English Professor started with teaching us to how to write a paragraph. (it took two semesters and I needed more.) When you first put something up on the page it is usually part of a middle, possibly an end, and almost never a beginning. Basically throw up everything in your head, get a coffee, and start editing. Second memory (it was a really long time ago) was that you should throw out the phrases you like the most, along with a minimum of 70% of the rest. More coffee, more editing. Last thing was read every thing you write out loud. That can forestall a lot of embarrassment. It is your best editor.
It is possible to create a pause, and the microseconds of silence - with written words. Use every device you can think of to create silence
All good points, David. Editing is hard work and the reason I told the woman just to write, write, write. If she’s thinking of the editing when she begins to write, she won’t get her thoughts down —the editing would supersede all else.
I made my living in territory sales, which is conversation where one side has a set of possible (and definitely desirable) outcomes and a general structure that the conversation is theoretically guided by. The other side may not know, or often will not willingly follow any part of a structure. Listening to the words as spoken and editing on the fly is the difference between common gain or going (sorrowing) away hungry. I learned the same rules apply to writing - anything from email to, say a multitude of paragraphs. To your point, I was not an editor first. The first written sentence is hard, each time. Vocally, not so much. I can suggest your writer read Shakespeare aloud each day, to get a sense of a complex flow of words & thought.
Reading Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg destroyed my desire for writing rules. I now can sit anywhere and write.
That’s a positive, Harley.
If you're full of self-doubt then write about your self-doubt.
Write about what blocks you - that's the golden rule. And when everybody does that then the golden *will* rule.
Brilliant, John. Did you come up with these, or did you find them elsewhere? No matter. I like them!
No. As far as I'm aware it's all totally original.
KUDOS to you then, sir. Well done.
I’ve been trying to get myself to write down words that come to me and not worry about making a poem or essay. Just write words and see where they lead me.
I think that’s a great idea, Lauren. Let me know how that goes, okay?
Fear is such a huge block. Fear of failure, fear of disappointment, disappointing, of what people will think, or won’t think, etc! Playing is the most important part.
Fear is a natural reaction when the mind feels it isn’t in control. We are the only ones holding us back, because of fear. Yeah, it’s hard to face our fear, but it’s very important that we do, because by taking the leap and facing our fear, we discover we have many gifts to share.
You show that with everything you write, Cesca! 💞❤️
I'm fascinated by outlines. I used to crank out 150-200 pages of reports, proposals, and impact assessments under two to three page deadlines.there was usually a set of guidelines, but I never wrote an outline. I found it more in keeping with the chaos of my mental chaos to just plunge in. In medias res. Unfortunately this was a habit first formed when I was learning to write outlines and compositions for grammar school English. I found that I got better results by writing the composition first, then backing into the mandatory outline. Sister Mary of the Bleeding Knee always thought my outlines and compositions were great, and she often held them up to the class as examples of sound organization.
Hilarious! She never knew why your outlines were so good! What a hoot, Bob! That was a brilliant move on your part.
Hi C.J, Yep, just allow oneself to get in the zone 😊.
💞😊💞❤️
Well said. Getting over that terror of the blank space, whether paper or screen, is the first big step. And once you get it down on that blank space, your heart will sing. That's the fun of writing, right there.
The writer’s high
😊❤️💞
Thank you, Sue.
I truly hope she listened to your good advice C J . there are absolutely no rules when you write . hugs and peace , and advanced notice i might be off line few days this week .
Send me a message if you will be gone for sure, please, Mitch.
Peace and hugs
hugs and peace
I will C J . I have dr tomorrow ,oncologist Tuesday . Cardio Wednesday . Hugs to you and family
Oh dear, no wonder you won’t be online.
hugs and love Mitch
I will leave you phone number and g mail or yahoo in private both are the same /
Okay and I will answer you with mine. You are in my prayers.
My first year English Professor started with teaching us to how to write a paragraph. (it took two semesters and I needed more.) When you first put something up on the page it is usually part of a middle, possibly an end, and almost never a beginning. Basically throw up everything in your head, get a coffee, and start editing. Second memory (it was a really long time ago) was that you should throw out the phrases you like the most, along with a minimum of 70% of the rest. More coffee, more editing. Last thing was read every thing you write out loud. That can forestall a lot of embarrassment. It is your best editor.
It is possible to create a pause, and the microseconds of silence - with written words. Use every device you can think of to create silence
All good points, David. Editing is hard work and the reason I told the woman just to write, write, write. If she’s thinking of the editing when she begins to write, she won’t get her thoughts down —the editing would supersede all else.
Thank you for your thoughts, David.
I made my living in territory sales, which is conversation where one side has a set of possible (and definitely desirable) outcomes and a general structure that the conversation is theoretically guided by. The other side may not know, or often will not willingly follow any part of a structure. Listening to the words as spoken and editing on the fly is the difference between common gain or going (sorrowing) away hungry. I learned the same rules apply to writing - anything from email to, say a multitude of paragraphs. To your point, I was not an editor first. The first written sentence is hard, each time. Vocally, not so much. I can suggest your writer read Shakespeare aloud each day, to get a sense of a complex flow of words & thought.
All points well taken! Thank you, David, for sharing your experience and know-how. That’s both interesting and helpful.
First, thank you for your kind words. Second, maybe a bit more editing could have been applied. Got wordy.
Yeah, I get a little wordy sometimes. I guess I want to make sure the points get across.
Thanks, David.
Thank you for your generosity in comforting and encouraging this person, CJ. We all are alternately the guides and the guided.
Cheers.
That’s very true, Jed. We’ve all been where this woman is in one way or another. (guides and the guided).
Thank you for your thoughtful comments.
Cheers backatcha
Thank you for writing and posting this, C.J. SO appreciated! Blessings, ~Wendy💜
Hello Wendy. Thank you for your kind comments. I’m glad this was something that you needed to read. Thank you for sharing that with me.
😉💞❤️
Thanks, CJ. This was very helpful.
Aww Kathleen, you can give me pointers any time! I am a fan!