The BIG WHAT IF....your worst nightmare when you’re writing is everything is a big blank. You sit down at your cozy desk or at the coffee shop, and you’ve got nothing. As a writer myself, I have several ways to get unstuck, so to speak. If you're trying to write in 30 days, the task can seem more daunting. But you've got this. YOU CAN WRITE YOUR BOOK.
Below are a few tips I like to practice and I share with my clients. First and foremost, do not give up your writing time. Try some of the suggestions below:
One: Grab that character journal and write as your character (fiction) as your reader (non-fiction). Write for 10 minutes. Freestyle it. Don’t judge your work. No cheating here. You need to do this with paper and pen.
Two: Do 10 minutes of stretching, with deep breaths, to calming music.
Three: Shut your computer down and go for a walk, a run, or outside in nature. Go without an agenda. Go without music in your earbuds. Let nature or the cityscape inspire you.
Four: Try meditation to some quiet music.
The biggest thing I find with the BIG BLANK is we’re stressing ourselves out to produce, or we’re just not in that creative space. That’s why I encourage you to pick your best time of day. Sometimes, very rarely, if I can’t write, I will start to edit my previous chapter. Typically, the last two or three paragraphs. Ideas, words, and images start popping up when I do that, and I move forward. I do not encourage editing while you’re writing, but in this case, I do.
You know there are several BIG WHAT IF's in WRITING:
WHAT IF my writing sucks?
WHAT IF my writing stirs up trauma or negative emotions?
WHAT IF I can't manage my time?
WHAT if no one likes my writing?
WHAT if I can't stay motivated?
Over the next few weeks I am going to go over these BIG WHAT IFS and help you overcome the fear of something that hasn't happened.
If I stopped at every BIG WHAT IF I would never have a book.
Here's something to think about though. Instead of thinking of all the things that could go wrong, try and focus on what could go right and most likely will happen:
· You finish your book.
· You finish early.
· Your story helps someone else.
· You get published
· You get excellent reviews.
· You get an audio book.
· You get an agent and a book deal with a publisher.
· Your clients love your book. You sell out and have to do a second printing.
· You start your second book…then your third.
If you'd like to know more about how I work as a coach or, if you want a FREE 30 Minute Consultation click on one of the links below.
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