THREAD
ideas on how to defeat the anxiety of the blank page!
ideas on how to defeat the anxiety of the blank page!
1/??
why is the blank page intimidating?
because of your expectations. the #1 thing to get over writing anxiety is to let go of expectations. or make them work for you! expect your first draft will be shitty. release yourself from pressure
why is the blank page intimidating?
because of your expectations. the #1 thing to get over writing anxiety is to let go of expectations. or make them work for you! expect your first draft will be shitty. release yourself from pressure
2/??
here’s one way to get over writing anxiety and inflated expectations: write in comic sans!
it’s like a physical reminder not to take yourself so seriously!
i got this idea from @GretchenAMcC
here’s one way to get over writing anxiety and inflated expectations: write in comic sans!
it’s like a physical reminder not to take yourself so seriously!
i got this idea from @GretchenAMcC
3/??
another reason to feel anxious or uncomfortable/antsy LET’S GO RIDE BIKES when you sit down to write:
you don’t know what to do.
or your ideas slip your mind.
that’s why i like to organize my thoughts on physical cards on my desk so i can see & play with them
another reason to feel anxious or uncomfortable/antsy LET’S GO RIDE BIKES when you sit down to write:
you don’t know what to do.
or your ideas slip your mind.
that’s why i like to organize my thoughts on physical cards on my desk so i can see & play with them
4/??
feeling overwhelmed by all the writing ideas on your note cards?
one way to help you pick your way through the chaos is to develop a set of rules like…
- always open with a problem/inciting incident
- one major point per essay
- answer Who, What, When, Where, How, Why
feeling overwhelmed by all the writing ideas on your note cards?
one way to help you pick your way through the chaos is to develop a set of rules like…
- always open with a problem/inciting incident
- one major point per essay
- answer Who, What, When, Where, How, Why
5/??
when you've got your lowered expectations, your note cards, your rules & still don't know what to write:
back your way into it.
you don't have to sit down and Write An Essay
slap your points on the page — random as fuck — THEN rearrange it & edit it down
when you've got your lowered expectations, your note cards, your rules & still don't know what to write:
back your way into it.
you don't have to sit down and Write An Essay
slap your points on the page — random as fuck — THEN rearrange it & edit it down
6/??
got your rough draft-y crap on the page, but don't know how to rearrange and edit your points?
some people really love detailed point-by-point outlines.
i don't! but they might work for you!
it's all about finding out what works for you.
got your rough draft-y crap on the page, but don't know how to rearrange and edit your points?
some people really love detailed point-by-point outlines.
i don't! but they might work for you!
it's all about finding out what works for you.
7/??
"why can i do all these other things, but not write?"
well, have you studied writing? read a few books? practiced deliberately? no?
no wonder!
read:
Story Genius
Writing Tools
The Art and Craft of Feature Writing
Writing Down the Bones
"why can i do all these other things, but not write?"
well, have you studied writing? read a few books? practiced deliberately? no?
no wonder!
read:
Story Genius
Writing Tools
The Art and Craft of Feature Writing
Writing Down the Bones
8/??
remember: you probably have internalized myths about Writing™.
because you've only ever seen the end result: polished, orderly, delightful.
just like TV shows aren't filmed chronologically…
writing doesn't come out the way it ends
remember: you probably have internalized myths about Writing™.
because you've only ever seen the end result: polished, orderly, delightful.
just like TV shows aren't filmed chronologically…
writing doesn't come out the way it ends
9/??
let go of the idea that you have to do your writing the The Right Way.
sometimes i just sit and ask myself questions — IN THE TEXT — and go "why does this matter? WHO CARES? fuck why can't i figure out how to say this??"
this is fine. also, it works!
let go of the idea that you have to do your writing the The Right Way.
sometimes i just sit and ask myself questions — IN THE TEXT — and go "why does this matter? WHO CARES? fuck why can't i figure out how to say this??"
this is fine. also, it works!
10/10
my final blank page anxiety tip:
if you can speak, or tweet, but not WRITE…
& the writing process is highly individual…
1. record yourself talking, get an automated transcript made (i use temi), then… edit it
2. twitter thread… then edit it
voila! writing!!
my final blank page anxiety tip:
if you can speak, or tweet, but not WRITE…
& the writing process is highly individual…
1. record yourself talking, get an automated transcript made (i use temi), then… edit it
2. twitter thread… then edit it
voila! writing!!
i forgot 11/10!
if you can't figure out WHAT to write, if your mind is truly a blank…
…go listen, go watch, go read.
what are people in your audience tweeting about? writing about? what books & articles do they read?
fill your bucket, and eventually ideas will slosh over.
if you can't figure out WHAT to write, if your mind is truly a blank…
…go listen, go watch, go read.
what are people in your audience tweeting about? writing about? what books & articles do they read?
fill your bucket, and eventually ideas will slosh over.
