A Guest Post by David Turnbull of Adventures of a Barefoot Geek
I feel writing should be effortless. To some that may sound ridiculous, and a few months ago I may have agreed with you, because syphoning thoughts from your brain into a coherent structure is mighty difficult, but alas, I love writing too much for me to be content with its inherent difficulty.
This desire for effortless writing encourage me sit down one day, a green tea by my side and write everything down that I felt could make the process itself effortless. 2 hours later, with only a short 5-10 minute break because my fingers were tired, I’d written about 4000 words containing the most flowing, yet actionable set of ideas in a single piece of writing I’d ever written. There was no strain, or stress, or over thinking about how a particular sentence should be structured. It was writing bliss.
Of course, with any creative pursuit you can’t bottle up all the relevant advice in a single article, or without continual thought, so these are some of the ideas I wanted to expand upon and hadn’t isolated previously to make writing an effortless process.
1. Ease the pressure. One common tactic recommended by many veteran writers is to get up in the morning, sit at the computer at 9 o’clock and then not move until the clock strikes 5. The idea is that forcing yourself in to that situation will somehow release your creativity and let your words flow. And then there’s the twist on that exercise in conforming to a high word count, such as 1000-2000 words per day, no matter what.
But while these exercises may encourage you to write a high quantity of words, you’ll be sacrificing the fulfilment that can be released from your words, and the state of effortlessness which I feel is worthy of cultivation.
Therefore, instead of trying to attain high quotas each day, do the opposite. Lower your quotas to ease the pressure. Tell yourself before your fingers strike the keys:
After 10 minutes of solid writing I will be satisfied.
…or…
When I’ve written 200 words I will be satisfied.
This completely shifts your mood, from one of dread and uncertainty, to one of possibility and control. But what I feel the main draw of this practice is the way in which it helps you focus on the present moment, on what you’re writing now.
Looking ahead at large quotas and burdens distracts you from the current task at hand – the writing itself – and thus makes the process more difficult. When there’s less of a hurdle to jump over, your mind focus less on the chance of impending difficulty, and more on completing the point it’s currently tackling.
2. Write only what matters. One of the constant struggles I, and I expect many other writers face is the constant desire to make each paragraph better than the last, to be a beacon of continuous improvement and to say only what matters. In many ways this desire is a burden – in any craft there will always be plateaus that are reached – but in other, more important ways, this mindset is a gift, because when you feel your writing actually matters, that it will potentially make a difference in someone’s life, the words will flow effortlessly.
In the words of the Stoic philosopher Seneca:
“…do not go to listen to people who are more concerned about the quantity than the quality of what they say…”
And in that same way, do not be one of those people who are more concerned about quantity rather than quality. Writing less is a positive trait, embrace it, and don’t give into the allure of writing for the sake of writing.
Before writing anything, ask yourself, “Does this matter?” You can never truly be sure before a piece of writing is complete, but if there’s a slight pang of uncertainty then don’t attempt to work with that feeling. Take the time to polish the concept of what you plan to write, and then write.
3. Negate the need for will power. The act of writing often requires a considerable amount of will power. There are distractions on the internet, the sudden urge to procrastinate in the “real world” and a thousand and one other reasons why the timing isn’t write to put pen to paper or finger to keys. But while developing a high level of self discipline is certainly a noble cause, there’s little need of it if you take the time to shape your circumstances which, in turn, shapes your results.
Block distractions on the internet by using the fantastic LeechBlock extension for Firefox. If you’re not a Firefox user then it’s worth making the switch simply to use this extension (that’s exactly what I did). For the stubborn folk out there an app such as SelfControl will do fine, although it’s not automated and as feature rich. And if you have money to burn, or want access to fancy metrics, then check out the premium version of RescueTime.
Procrastination in general can be overcome with a few simple steps:
- Outline what you plan to write the day before you plan to write it, and don’t overwhelm this list with irrelevance. Never list more than 3 tasks, and stick with just 1 important task if possible. This appears to be an act of will power, to conform to your to do list, but you’ll be surprised about how psychologically powerful a simple plan is over your actions, especially if it’s carefully planned hours in advance.
- Write at a time conducive to being free from distractions. There’s no “right” time to write, but there are better times to write, and those specific times depend on the person. One increasingly popular method is to write late at night, often after midnight. This is something I’ve experimented with and it’s surprisingly powerful, yet I still shy away from it because I worry about the affects of being on the computer so close to sleep.
- Separate your writing environment from leisure. This is a change I made in the past few weeks and has resulted in an enormous change in the way I can either turn on or shut off the part of me that is focused on writing. With this, the times when you’re in your writing environment are heightened, undiluted by the activities of the day, allowing you to truly lose yourself in a flow of effortlessness.
Writing doesn’t need to be difficult. Or tedious. Or stressful. It can be effortless. And while I obviously haven’t covered every aspect of finding flow when writing, my intention with this article wasn’t to provide you with a definitive guide, but open you up to the possibility of what writing can be.
It’s easy to fall into the mindset that inducing insanity is simply an aspect of being a writer you need to deal with. Don’t let yourself believe that fallacy any longer though. Imagine what the state of perfect effortless writing would feel like, and then strive for that using both these suggestions and your own creativity.
David Turnbull is some kid who just likes to write about stuff at Adventures of a Barefoot Geek, a blog about life, technology and simplicity. Subscribe to the blog now and follow him on Twitter.
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Great tips David. I think easing the pressure is one of the best ways. Sometimes it helps just to sit down and write free form. You almost will surprise yourself with what comes out. I also like to use distraction free writing tools such as WriteRoom and Macjournal.
I totally agree on easing the pressure, there is one thing that I just can’t do and that’s writing when I’m under pressure. If something gets written under pressure you can be sure that it isn’t very good. I have a little problem trying to concentrate with TweetDeck, Mail.app, Adium, Safari and NetNewsWire are running in the background – but I found a little great program called Concentrate where you can make your own tasks and activate them and then it’ll quit the apps and/or block certain website etc. Check it out! :)
Really good points David. I have outlined prior to writing with mixed success. Usually it works however I found sometimes that I am working out my thoughts so the writing takes a turn in a different direction. Similar to the guest post Srinivas had the other day on his blog – The Skool of Life, written by Andrew Swenson at Wordpost.
I think writing only what matters is the hardest part however. I have tendency to write too much and then find myself consistently re-working and whittling down. I suppose that is good but then you have to balance what you want to say and how important that is versus getting content out their, especially for a blog.
Nice article David, it has some good tips and is well written. As a new blogger I’m having a bit of difficulty getting into a flow, so your tips have come at a good time. Will try to put them to practice.
Although I’m not much of a blogger (yet :), I’ve just recently finished writing the first version of my masters dissertation, during which I found writing in my moleskin first and only then writing on my computer helped me get into a flow. Plus it also helps to write free form (as Srinivas Rao mentioned), because now you can’t go back a few lines and rewrite a sentence, thus separating clearly separating the writing and editing phases.
“Negate the need for will power” said it all. Thank you.
I think I often lose my creativity and focus by hyper-focusing on the “musts,” “shoulds,” and all that willpower driven stuff.
Having smaller goals has often freed up my writing, and I find after giving myself 10 minutes that my writing just naturally flows into something longer and better.
Your post is like a providential answer to a question I asked on my own blog, about capturing that “just five more minutes” feeling at the beginning of my writing time instead of the end of it.
Again, thanks!
Great post. I have written many things myself that i have found have taken up too much of my time. What has really helped me personally though is that i have just let the writing flow out of me.
Thanks for the comments and sharing your thoughts everyone.
@Srinivas – For distraction free writing OmmWriter is also quite amazing too, and ZenEdit is great for Windows users looking for a WriteRoom-like app.
@Matias – Concentrate is definitely a great app. I went a step further though and make sure I just can’t do much else on my computer other than write. LeechBlock blocks all the main distractions, and OmmWriter is great at capturing my attention.
@Marc – The writing what matters is definitely the most difficult step to take and I doubt anyone ever completely masters it. Still, if this post continues to see a good response I’ll see if I can submit a follow up guest post about how to do exactly that.
@Raoul – That separation of writing and editing is certainly a key point to effortlessness. Nothing breaks the flow that constantly correcting spelling mistakes or striving for perfect grammar. And handwriting is powerful too; that’s often how I brainstorm ideas for posts and it works wonders to release all the junk and gold in your brain.
@Tyrean – Ah, that feeling is a good feeling, even when you do love writing (like I do). Glad I could help push you towards it.
@David – That’s probably what it comes down to in the end; just sitting back, pounding away at your keyboard and not letting yourself over think the process. Once that becomes habitual writing is a far simpler path to walk.
Lower your quota, as you suggest, and lower your expectations. The first draft is supposed to be lousy. Just get the words on the page and then you have something to go back and work with.
My sibling Aspect, The Zen Scrivener, contributes cash to our joint venture by filling the Emptiness between advertisements. Along with the third occupant of this vehicle in which we currently travel, the Zen Cueist, here’s how we write effortlessly:
First, we go to a pool hall, toting laptop and keisaku (Zen stick, a. k. a. pool cue).
The Scrivener scribes a couple dozen or a few hundred words. When he stops, for whatever reason, I take over.
i busk: “entertain or perform in a public place for donations”. When I run out of things to busk or the Tips dry up, the Cueist takes over.
The Cueist teachers Cue-do, the martial art of billiards; literally, “the Way of the Pool Cue”. He charges tuition that is proportional to the difference between what a student actually knows and what he thinks he knows. Sometimes, the student actually knows more than the teacher thinks he knows, and then the Cueist pays tuition to the student.
When there are no more students, the Scrivener takes over again.
Even with all those tips, writing still won’t be effortless. Anything worth doing requires sacrifice and will, in my opinion.
Eric C: “Anything worth doing requires sacrifice and will, in my opinion.”
How’s your breathing, Eric? Checked your pulse lately? If you have any children, how do you sacrifice to play with them and where do you find the will to do it?
Puritanism: the religious practice of stomping out happiness wherever it raises its ugly head.
@Eric – I don’t believe that to be true. If you’re writing about something that you truly care and are knowledgeable about I don’t think there should be any difficulty whatsoever.
Yes, at times you will feel blocked, but if that’s the case you can just walk away and come back later. There’s no need to put yourself in pain just because that’s the classic stereotype of a writer. And if you do come back and still can’t write then I doubt you’re actually writing about something you care about.
Hi David,
Great article. I agree with you–I don’t think writing–if it’s something you really love doing–should feel like a huge effort or a grind. Granted there are some days when the words flow better than on other days, but that’s where having lowered expectations helps to prevent frustration from setting in. Great idea about having the outline completed the day before you sit down to write a piece.
I must confess I nearly fell off my chair laughing at the “standard advice” to park one’s self at one’s computer, keep writing and not move until 5 p.m. I get that the idea is try to instill some kind of regular routine because the writing is “supposed” to be one’s job and after all aren’t most jobs held by employees of offices/corporations tied to the 9 to 5 routine. However, I’m betting that a lot of people who are now giving it their best shot at writing or doing other kinds freelance work (design, consulting, what have you..) may well have wanted to be rid of the 9-5 routine/rut precisely because such a regimented approach is not particularly conducive to creative thinking or even the most productive work. I’m so glad you turned that piece of advice on its head and suggested a more reasonable alternative and set of expectations.
I’ll look forward to reading more of your thoughts on effortless writing–especially if you have any good tips for getting the inner editor/critic to take a hike while in the writing stage. I don’t know if I would make too generalized a statement, but I know from the writers I talk to (I edit other authors’ manuscripts on a collaborative basis) and my own writing experiences, it’s a challenge to have both the writer/editor roles running at the same time.
Keep writing and sharing your thoughts with us.
It’s true. I have learned that the most effective writing is to eliminate all clutter and distraction, just write. I normally unplug my router so that I won’t get overwhelmed with the incoming messages/info. Concentration is important, including finding the best environment to write. You’re right on the pressure issue, especially when there’s a deadline involves. Recently I learn to cope with that by being an early bird. :) So far so good.
Thanks for the enlightening post. Keep writing.
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Unplug router to stop distractions? What operating system does not allow you to disable a network connection with your mouse and re-enable it the same way?
Douglas Adams: “I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly past.”
Articles are now considered the most effective traffic-generating tools in the World Wide Web.
My favorite tip for effortless writing is simply to get it done first thing. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes (although that often turns into more). If you leave it till later, whenever that may be, it very often doesn’t happen at all.
It has been my experience that once I get started writing, that the words tend to flow easily. The trick is finding something that I care enough about to want to write about it. It can actually be rather amusing at times too. The other day I had decided that I didn’t really feel like writing a post for my blog. I actually wrote that I didn’t think I would be writing that day, but somehow 10 minutes later I had a 500 word post. Weird. Who knew that announcing that you’re not going to write could take so many words.
Ray
Very good post. My way around procrastination is to stand up at my desk rather than sitting which works surprisingly well. Nice tip on 10 burst writing, will need to test it out.
“My way around procrastination is to stand up at my desk ”
It has been suggested that chairs be removed from all legislators’ chambers and the heating/air conditioning turned off. That would get them moving and reduce the number new laws dramatically.
Wow. I have a hard time stopping myself at 1000-2000 words!
@ The Barking Unicorn – Aside from your snide remarks, I stand by what I said. If you want to lose weight, there is no magical pill or diet that will help you do it; if you want to make money, there are no get-rich-quick schemes; and for your example, find me the person who says raising kids is easy. Playing with kids, thats easy. Raising kids, saving money for them to go to college, long sleepless nights, sounds like a lot of sacrifice to me.
@ David – The writing part isn’t hard for me, or the idea phase coming up with ideas I love, and love writing about. The tough part is editing and re-editing a piece until it is perfect. The tough part is handling rejection. The hard part is competing against thousands of people trying to do the same thing.
It’s like how Hemingway wrote A Farewell to Arms. He had to rewrite the last page 90 some ought times. I doubt that was easy, but I think he loved what he was doing.
Eric, I lost 35 lbs. in 5 weeks effortlessly, without altering my diet or doing any tedious situps, crunches, etc. I just sold my car. In addition to losing weight effortlessly, I stopped working for banks, insurers, mechanics, and parking Nazis. I literally and effortlessly found roses to stop and smell while other, unhappy beings sniffed exhaust fumes.
I have raised one child, effortlessly. He turned out better than many whose parents sacrificed play time to save for college and stayed up all night worrying, making them too cranky to play. He’s gainfully employed, disease- and baby-free. He has all he needs to do whatever he decides to do with his life. And we played.
I took him to Vegas when he was 8 and we had a ball. Three years later, we stood in a Denver park silently fishing for puny bluegills. Out of nowhere, BS (“Beloved Son”) said,
“Dad, I don’t want to go to Vegas this year. I just want to stay here and fish with you.”
Kahlil Gibran has some advice for parents who make raising kids difficult:
http://www.katsandogz.com/onchildren.html
Making money is not the same as getting rich, quickly or slowly. I always have all the money I need, even when my creditors seem to run desperately short. Making money is as easy as breathing. You take it in, take what you need from it, and let the rest out. If you hold your breath too long, you die. Same with money.
“The tough part is editing and re-editing a piece until it is perfect. The tough part is handling rejection. The hard part is competing against thousands of people trying to do the same thing.”
Man, you really do have problems.
Everything always changes, so what’s perfect can only get worse. You’ll never finish editing. Papa didn’t have to re-write that page 90-some times. He had problems too.
Nobody rejects you. They just don’t need what you’ve written and then tried to sell to them. I never write anything that someone hasn’t already said he needs. So nothing I write is ever rejected.
“She (the Tao) alone does not compete, therefore the world can never overcome her.” ~ Lao Tzu.
“If your happiness depends on what other people do, then you really do have a problem.” ~ Richard Bach, author of “Jonathan Livingston Seagull”
But go ahead and stand by what you said. “I know enough to know that I don’t need to know any more” are a person’s dying words.
Clarificaiton: I never write anything that I intend to *sell* unless someone has already said he needs it and is willing to pay for it. I write a lot for the sheer Joy of it – effortlessly. I’m not like Samuel Johnson, who said,
“None but a blockhead ever wrote except for money.”
i love the point made on under tasking yourself.i use it and it is very effective.when you under task yourself you help yourself win and hence motivate yourself to try more and do more.
Excellent piece. What’s with the picture of the girl?