We sit behind our screens, tap, tap, tapping away. Writing in short bursts. Stopping. Erasing then going again. We edit while we write, our fingers trying to keep up. We cut off our creativity.
Writer’s Block happens, and we stare at our screens, our phones, or tablets — whatever device we’re writing on.
You don't have to be writing the next great American Novel. This is for any book. My clients are thought-leaders, they women who are creating change, they are people who are wanting to get into to speaking circuit. They are not writers. YOU still need to foster your creativity in order not to stall out.
How can shutting off your computer help you with writing success?
I’ve got three ways that you can increase your creativity and your word flow, as well as encourage your brain to work its magic.
WRITE BY HAND
If you’ve read any of my other articles on writing and Writer’s Block, then you know my first step already. I don’t mean you have to write an entire book by hand. I mean to periodically shut down the electronic devices and write on a pad of paper with a fat, juicy pen.
Why? Because writing by hand requires you to be in active engagement with the information you’re processing. Studies also prove that writing activates connectivity in many regions across your brain. There is also motor skill and tactile functionality that helps you visualize.
What does this mean? It means you flip on a switch in your brain that basically turns the lights on. If you haven’t tried writing by hand, I encourage you to start your day with ten minutes of writing. It doesn’t have to be good, readable, or shared. You will probably write for more than ten minutes, and YOU WILL notice an increase in your creativity.
READ READ READ
I can’t say this enough. If you don’t read, how can you write? It’s like a swimmer who wants to be in the Olympics but never swims or never watches other swimmers who are better than they are. What you feed yourself is your output.
When I read, especially books in the genre I write, my creativity increases. I get excited about new plot ideas. I discover new ways to say the things I want to say. I don’t steal anyone else’s ideas or thoughts — it’s me feeding my creative spirit.
The same goes for non-fiction. Read mentor texts. Read powerful writing that makes you THINK. Discover why you enjoy it. What resonates with you.
WATCH FILMS
I can’t believe I am telling you to watch TV. But that’s precisely what I am saying. But I don’t mean to mindlessly watch it. Bring your notepad with you and take notes. Watch if from a writer’s perspective. Study it. Watch a movie through a creative lens. Notice how the setup begins and how much information you’re fed at the start. DO THEY ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS right away? No, that would be a boring film.
What parts do you love or hate? Notice the dialogue and scene shifts. When you’re writing, you should have the scene in mind. You need to understand what’s going on around your characters and the space they’re in. You’re not necessarily going to write this, but it helps you in your mind if you know this. I always create a map of places for my books. This gives me relational spaces.
I look for ways to keep my creative spirit fed — all the time. I also listen to music, visit the art museum, sit out in nature. What’s your favorite way to increase your creativity?
Some of my favorite things to help you boost your creativity:
TUL Brand Pens - perfect for writing by hand.
90 Day Writer's Journal - my own design. Perfect for journaling or note taking.
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