Comments on: Change the Rules and Change Your Writing

By: Alexandra Sheach

Alexandra Sheach — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:12:59 +0000

Oh I hear you Gabrielle! The harder I try, the more I sound like a humourless, stilted machine! What works best for me is really trying to write the way I’d talk to a friend. OK, that might not win me any literary prizes anytime soon – but it seems to resonate from the heart and it’s believable.

By: Deb Dorchak

Deb Dorchak — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:42:51 +0000

You made me laugh, Kimberly. Being creative means living in a perpetual mess. Some of our best ideas come from messesâ€”and cleaning them up!

By: Kimberly Eldredge

Kimberly Eldredge — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:32:11 +0000

Yay! I don’t believe in writer’s block. You can always write SOMETHING — even if it’s a grocery list.

As for the “mess” myth — I have a friend who subscribes to this. I think it’s a myth that you can’t be creative in a mess. It’s an excuse and a copout. (But don’t let writing be your excuse for living like a PIG!)

But let’s face it, when you’re writing, all you’re REALLY looking at is the screen! So put on some blinders, throw sheets over the mess and POUND. IT. OUT!

Great advice!

By: Deb Dorchak

Deb Dorchak — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 02:43:40 +0000

Um…yeah…I meant to do that. Don’t you know by now I’m all seeing, all knowing? I am the Great and Powerful Desert Oracle!

Again, it’s all distractions. Loose ends can wait until you’ve got it all together and you’re ready to start using the fine grit sandpaper. ðŸ˜‰

By: Deb Dorchak

Deb Dorchak — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 02:41:24 +0000

Often. However, once I’m in the zone, I don’t care anymore. All that matters is the page. Ask yourself why the mess bothers you. Most of the time you’ll realize it’s just a distraction and there’s something you’re not satisfied with in your project. And what is that something? Lack of clarity. Gain clarity and you hold the key to ending writer’s block in your hand.

By: Deb Dorchak

Deb Dorchak — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 02:39:23 +0000

Patrice, that is one of the most effective exercises we came up with for our Journey coaching group. So many people have tried it and couldn’t believe the results they got. You go, girl, never stop asking why.

By: Deb Dorchak

Deb Dorchak — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 02:38:02 +0000

YES! That’s exactly it. I constantly tell people “Just tell the story.” That’s all you’ve got to do. Sheesh, I even remind myself of that a lot. Spill it out, verbally puke all over the page, do a brain dump…let it go, let it go, let it go!

*ahem* Sorry, bit of a Frozen Flashback there. You get the idea.

By: Deb Dorchak

Deb Dorchak — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 02:34:57 +0000

Seeing results certainly help. That makes a person feel like they’re doing the right thing and something must be working! Like most creatives, the moment I set a rule to write every day or have a specific word count, my inner Rebel Child says, no freakin’ way. I’m not getting stuck in routine! So I have to get creative about it. Like this morning, I woke up and had a couple hours before having to go to a writers’ meeting. Sunday morning…peaceful…quiet…the house and the neighborhood still asleep…it just felt perfect for writing. The RC said, hey, this is kinda nice, let’s do it again next weekend!

By: Aly Pain

Aly Pain — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 18:26:15 +0000

Did you write this specifically for me this week??!! I have a presentation due on, wait for it……procrastination, and I haven’t finished it yet. The funny part is I have it well laid out in my mind, along with the worksheets and I’m really excited about that. But when I sit down to write I tell myself I have too many loose ends to be focussed so I spend part of my time tending to them and not enough writing. I know I am more focussed with a clear mind, but knowing when that line is constructive and when it’s an excuse is key to getting on with it. Thank you!

By: Ivette Argueta-Medina

Ivette Argueta-Medina — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 14:00:44 +0000

Thanks for posting on this topic. Honestly, I am working on those rules. One thing that hinders my focus or progress (writing and business) is a messy office or house and it doesn’t seem as if it is ever clean. Do any of you feel that way?