Scott Ginsberg has some good advice on disciplining yourself to be a more effective writer. His article 8 (More) Ways to Discipline Yourself to Write Every Single Day – Even When You’re Not in the Mood covers the following points:
1. Shift your attitude toward writing.
2. Rearrange your definition of “writing.”
3. Pick your best medium.
4. Eradicate your belief in Writer’s Block.
5. Stop trying to “find” the time.
6. Avoid creative compartmentalization.
7. Begin writing Morning Pages.
8. Remember the Circle of Write.
Interesting advice, Steven. I especially like his “Thinker’s Block” concept. It’s so true!
I agree, Robert. I’ve long held the belief that writer’s block is a myth. There are ways around it, you just have to find what works for you. Most of the time if I just get up for a bit and come back to it, I’ll be able to start writing again. Most days, I try to get at least an hour of writing in at night. If I write 2 pages in an hour, that’s great; if I write a paragraph, that’s also okay. The main point is to try and write at least something. Everyone can do that: a sentence, a paragraph, a page, etc.
If you sit there for 15 mins and can’t think of anything, don’t give up and don’t say you have writer’s block. Even if the words you write for that day are horrible and you have to throw them out the next day, at least you have written something, and that act of writing will go a long way toward improving your craft and making you a better writer. I use to say I had writer’s block but I realize now that was just an excuse not to write.
Good advice!
Another helpful thing for me is to stay away from distractions during those times of difficulty. I find I write better with my laptop disconnected from the internet (and wireless off, of course).
That can definitely be a distraction. I need to start turning off the wifi as well.