I struggled with a writing habit when I lived with my family because it was always loud, my grandmother was always smoking and no one took me seriously when I said "Hey! I'm writing!" I went into an "all things creative" slump" for about 6 years after I moved out of my family home and It was just really bad. Then my husband told me that he saw a script call for Hallmark- they wanted Christmas movie scripts and I just went for it. It didn't get picked but it got me out of my writing slump. I have a decent writing schedule now. I write after I put my babies to bed. I watch live write-ins because I find I focus better with them. I can't ever make the live write-ins live. I would love to but the boys are moving a lot and at night it takes two people to wrangle them. Right now since I'm between beta feedback I am working on a crochet project to keep the creative habit alive.
I've had the same problem. It's an uphill battle to find the time to write - and not get interrupted - when the people around you are antagonistic (in anyway) about it. My habits need better cleaning. :)
I found it really hard to write with little kids around. I didn't write a thing in the seven years between when my second child was born and my third turned three. I'm always in awe of anyone who makes it work. But I also didn't have any idea of writing seriously back then. I wrote fanfiction and that's it. Now I have ambitions, and I think that makes all the difference.
Consider getting a sitter if possible. Someone who's there while you're there. 30 minutes, an hour, whatever you need or can afford. Or maybe setting a baby proof area in which one of you can watch the babies/kids play around and be safe. Depending on the age, you might consider taking the kids to a McDonald's playplace (or some other enclosed safe space) and write while they play. Or set up playdates with other parents in which you watch each other's kids while the other cleans house and in your case write.
@@Agentmg17 It's hard sometimes with mine they are just over 1 and there are nights when I sit down to write and one of them starts crying and I go and hold them until they fall back to sleep. I'm lucky to be a stay at home Mom and can sometimes stay up until 1 a.m to write and not have to worry about going to work the next day. I'm still at the point where I sleep when they sleep in the day. I've thought about writing while they sleep during their two naps, but most of the time if I'm not sleeping while they sleep then I'm cleaning. I think writing anything is just hard with kids no matter the age.
@@elizalagonia1049 I believe ya. I had the twins and another one that's 9 months older. Sometimes you gotta let the laundry sit for one more day, or eat out of paper plates, or batch cook, or let hubby know that being a stay at home mom... is a job too and that you also need a 30 minute break at some point in the day. You gotta be a little selfish to get in your writing time. Either way, they can go into preschool at age 2. I'm a two year old teacher, trust me, the kids will adapt and socialize. It's good for them.
What all this boils down to for me, is having a) Self-discipline and b) Boundaries. These things will help with life in general, not just writing. Which brings to mind one of the best bits of advice I ever got about writing, from a college professor: "Whatever trouble you have with your writing, is trouble you have with your life."
I think I've built an accidental incentive trigger when I hear your videos, lmao. As soon as I switched on this video I was like, "oh man, I gotta write!!"
Same, Alexa's videos always motivate me to actually open the damn document and get out some words. Sometimes I save them for a time when I'll have time to write afterwards!
This youtube channel is my music trigger. I found the channel through Harsh Writing Advice and play it in the background ever since. It's exactly what I needed to stop outlining and worldbuilding and just start writing. I love it because I saw a lot of things that I used to do when I first started trying to write pantser style (I'm a hardcore outliner) and that I had identified on my own without knowing the proper terms like pantsing, info-dumping, etc. It's taught me and helped improve my writing so much. As I've been writing every day, the story has come to life. I've had to add things or tweak things that I wouldn't have known I needed it to just by outlining. So, thanks, Alexa Donne!
A few years ago my mentors in ceramic and sculpture gave me the same advice that you just gave (except in regards to making sculpture). It all came down to the same ideas: Practice often, work mindfully, improve on weaknesses, analyze the work of artists you admire. Following this advice got my work into several exhibitions, so I can definitely attest to its merits. As artists we are always learning, always growing, but we can only do that if we do what my mentor called "working through the hard spots" 💪. I'll be trying out your method of tracking progress on a chart. Such a good idea!
Stormy weather (when indoors) is both relaxing and inspiring for writing. I'm in the UK so no need for a playlist lol; it's pissing it down (and sideways) now.
I feel so seen! I was bemoaning my lack of productivity when this popped up. 21 days in a row is my new mantra, thanks for the goal idea! I think lack of structure and deadlines is what thwarts most aspiring writers from completing their first drafts. Please keep it up, writing hacks/craft chats are my favourite videos.
What has been working for me is... I have a group of friends who love my work, and I promised to send them a chapter every month. For some reason it’s way easier for me to let myself down then it is for me to let other people down. 🤷
I've been doing this without thinking about it. Started a discord for writers on the platform I'm on and we do sprints constantly and check in. Theres something empowering about seeing everyone's numbers go up. One difference for me personally with ADHD it can be super hard to focus I made an anime opening hype playlist and it's the trigger for me to write no matter what I'm writing the magical moments happen more often when I've got that going on and focusing. Thank you so much for an amazing video!
A tip I have for writing - Set a certain amount of pages a day but make it really unrealistic so instead you end doing half. e.g 10 but it's actually 5
I've been trying to reword myself with stars for every 500 words, and that method allowed me to write a manuscript in 3 months. Now I'm on to my second manuscript and a habit has been formed. Mostly I used to write in the evenings after dinner for a hour or two, but since I'm in between jobs, I've been taking my days to write at a cafe (otherwise I would not get work done) and take the weekends off. However, I'm starting a new job soon, so it's going to go back to writing in the evenings and weekends again. Thanks for all the advice!
I learned to write to a deadline at university, but as writing was "only my hobby", I never applied the lessons learned to my novel writing. I took me three to five years to finish a novel, and I was generally okay with it. But then I got so frustrated when I realized that I could force myself to sit down and write two to three pages on that dreadful statistics assignment, but couldn't make myself write the novel that I loved so much. °_° That got me really thinking about my process, and it changed everything. I discovered NaNoWriMo (been living under a stone for years...), wrote 110k in four months and finished the novel I had been working on for years. I started the next one in the series last NaNoWriMo, and I will most likely finish the first draft in April's camp. I had all the skills I needed - I just didn't know it. ^_^ Thank you for your videos - inspiring as always! ^_^
My habit right now is to set aside one full day a week to do nothing but write. This works pretty well for me and allows me to think about other stuff the other days. Of course I'm a student in Sweden where full time university pretty much consists of three lectures a week, so this might not be possible to keep up once I graduate haha.
Hi, thank you for all your help. I’ve been a software developer for 30 years and have written many technical documents. I practice to develop the habit to write with feeling rather than bland and terse. Much love 💗
I've been trying the star sticker method since the beginning of the month and it's really helping! I've written more this month alone than the last 6 months combined. I'm not perfect at a habit yet but I have been getting better. And seeing all the pretty stickers on the calendar of my planner and my progress updates on the weekly planning pages really makes me proud and motivated to keep going! I think I'm gonna try and see if the star sticker method works for other things like turning in school assignments faster. Thanks Alexa :)
I've been actually using a lot of these recently! I use Library/Fireplace/Winter-storm ambient sounds, burn my pine candle, and allow myself to have some of my favorite teas. My biggest problem is finding a consistent time because I travel sometimes for work and my schedule seems to change on a nearly weekly basis. Thankfully right now I'm on a writing retreat in a nearby city, so cafes are keeping me going! I'll probably hit 10,000 words for my project in the next couple hours ^_^
I literally cannot set my own deadlines. XD They never work. Since I know I set them, I also know nothing happens if I don't finish in time, and I know I can move them... so they don't work. But I can sit down every day (almost) to write. Or at least read and think about my story. :)
I've never been good at writing on the weekends :( The words don't flow and they don't sound good in my opinion. And since I'm *horrible* at splitting my time between reading and writing, I try to write every weekday and on the weekends I focus on reading.
THIS is exactly the kind of content I needed right now. I really want to form this habit and I have the motivation, but the specific tips you offered I think are really going to help me make the habit stick! Thank you, as always, for an extremely helpful video Alexa!!
I loooove this! I have come to learn that it can be SO hard to let go of every sentence being perfect, and just get words onto the page so you can go back and fix it later. One thing I’ve done to combat perfectionism is colour coding. If there is a sentence, or a paragraph that I don’t like, or don’t have the emotional time and energy to fix at that moment, I turn it red or orange, and leave notes for myself. Like “And then this happened... and I’m too lazy to think of specifics right now, because I have more exciting things inside my brain, so I’ll fix this ugly sentence later” 😂 And then I go back later when I have an idea, or if I’m reading through it and it just comes to me. I also colour code things that I need to research, names I want to think more on, structural elements I’m not sure if they work properly, and other random stuff. It’s made for very colourful pages lol.
I saw a kitty tail in the beginning of the video and then couldn't stop thinking about the kitty. So many false starts until I was actually able to watch the video and then it gets mentioned that cats are a distraction.
Ahhh I wish I was one of those authors who could write with music on. Nope. I need to be alone (only the pups and cat are allowed in my office) and totally quiet when writing. I agree, establishing a writing habit is essential. What works best for me is the deadline.
I have so so many recommendations for ambient sounds, Calm's free version has nature scene sounds like snowstorms, rain, being in a meadow etc, ASMR rooms has the ambient sounds of for example being in Hogwarts Library, being in the Slytherin dormitory, being in Gandalf's library and so many more, Coffetivity has several cafe soundscapes. I also use 'skyrim atmospheres' which is a 40min track on spotify that will be great for any fantasy writers. Got a few more but honestly this comment is so long 😂
This video has a lot of realistically helpful and actionable advice! Thank you for making it. If I may take you up on your offer to ask questions about forming writing habits, may I ask: Do you think it matters exactly what you're writing in order to establish a writing habit? Should it be a specific project, like a novel, to train yourself to commit to a project and stick to it, or can it be something much less profession like even fanfiction? I wonder if the quality or the potential of the content you're writing affects the training of the habit as you are establishing it. Hope this question makes sense, and thanks again for the video and the advice!
Buy yourself something yummy and say if you don't meet goal you'll give it to your family and watch them eat it without you. This has actually worked for me (I earned my treat and shared it with the fam).
I feel really overwhelmed by the things I need to do, so I can't find myself writing every day. And that's why it took me so long to finish my first draft. And by the way, I believe writing block does exist (especially for me, who changes the ending every few chapters). Sometimes, when it's too major of a change, you can think with yourself for a few days to realize it. There's nothing wrong with that.
Had a creative slump for a couple years now... Part of it's just taking care of my mother... and... well... She's passed. I'm not going to let myself continue to make excuses... Get it written... don't sweat getting it right yet. SO... just to get back to the old writing habits I used to have... back when I loved dreaming crap up and putting pen to page, I've decided to start out with a refresher in C++... I'm old-school in notes and studies, so it's reading the book and jotting out notes about functions, operators... stuff I'd forgotten over the years, since I'm usually only helping trouble shoot in the software area... ANYWAY... Got the book out and started... I spend a couple hours a day scratching out the short-hand notes for quicker references later... AND take the time to physically move through writing things down. When I get the juice creatively going, the couple hours can be shifted (hopefully) over to creative writing, and we'll see what crops up. Hopefully something at least as good as I used to crank out constantly... AND I can get a groove cut into editing and moving toward polish... Thanks for the advice... I don't always get much out of music.. BUT there's no reason not to try. BTW... Netflix... It doesn't work on linux. I don't know why, but it simply isn't available. BUT all the useful writing sites you've mentioned work FINE! AND there's office software... AND it's all FREE as in FREE!!! SO if you have trouble with being drawn to netflix and binging when you should be on the PC pounding out words... Maybe get a devoted "work computer" (anything in the three year old line or earlier should work) and put a linux on it. LinuxMint is GREAT out of the box, and very user friendly... AND once you've "made" the thumbdrive to put it on the computer, you have a "rebuild" available anytime you need to go back to original settings... If you're not confident in yourself, there are people who will help you, too. Either at "Ezeelinux.com" OR ask around nearby PC-repair shops. You're not stuck constantly getting new virus wares... anti-ads and malwares... or anything. I haven't defragmented the drive in literal YEARS... AND I get to tell the computer when to update or upgrade the O.S... when I want to. Not get hijacked out of what I was doing until some corporates are done playing with MY computer... ;o)
I def use wine to write (but never more than two glasses!) and I'm still trying to phase that out. My fiance used to reward himself with a piece of chocolate after his writing session, and now he listens to relaxing music to block me and the dogs out. I do a progress calendar...but I use a poster board with post-its that hangs in my office wall. It's all decorated with washie tape and colorful post-its and I change it up every month. Been doing that for about two years now and it's has been one of the best motivators. That hasn't worked for my fiance as he doesn't keep up with his calendar. Goes to show we all are different and have different triggers and motivators.
Last year my writing was on *schedule*. I had an hour or two every morning, and 5 days a week I was using it to write. I was averaging about 3000 words a week. It worked. I trained myself to be in the right head-space for writing at that time, in that place, and it was beautiful how well it worked. Then in January my schedule changed, and I no longer have mornings free. I've spent the last almost two months trying to figure out how to write at another time of day, and it's just not working. I've written less than 5,000 words in 2020. It's that bad. I have set deadlines and tried to carve out other times during the day when I can write, but honestly I'm failing. My goal of finishing my manuscript by March is not possible anymore, and I'm getting to a point where I'm despairing of being able to finish it at all this year. I have a bunch of excuses I could make for why it's been so hard (and it has! they're real problems!), but at the end of the day I just have to accept that I'm a responsible adult and if I want writing to be one of my jobs, I have to make it happen. At least, that's the pep talk I'm giving myself after watching this. Wish me luck...
I'm not an expert in your situation, but it seems to me that you need to have your head clear when you are writing. Maybe you should go for a walk, have a nap, go swimming or do some exercises before you start writing. Believe in yourself. You just need some time to figure everything out.🍀
I recently completed my first novel. The voice will be very different compared to what I have planed for my second novel. I am a 61 year old dude and my two main characters in my second novel will be speaking from the pov of 19-21 year old young ladies. Could you recommend book(s) that provide interesting authentic dialog between that college age female perspective.
Love this! I've taken your advice and started using your star method in my writing planner! I was wondering if you could talk about how to avoid burnout with writing? I write 25k words/week minimum (it's for my job so it's non-negotiable) and I find that, especially towards the end of the week, I start to get really burnt out after writing 4-5k words a day. Do you have any tips for rejuvenation during those days when you just feel burnt out, but you need to get those words down?
this might sound crazy, but i have formed a habit where i can't write unless i'm on Netflix. For example : i am writing two novels at the moment, one is a hard hitting contemporary and the other is a fantasy. So when i'm writing the fantasy novel, i have to be watching so type of sitcom, so something realistic. and if i'm writing the contemporary i have to be watching some type of fantasy show... when i say watching i mean just for it to be playing on the side.
Hey, Alexa! I really enjoyed the video (and really needed it, haha) but there’s one thing I’ve always been curious about: why do you pronounce “angst” the way you do? Is it because you also speak German?
Alexa Donne • Aye, awesome! Thanks for letting me know! I’m currently learning German on my own (through Duolingo - that bird is INTENSE, haha) and am really enjoying it so far. As a person who speaks both German and English, do you have any tips for relating the two / things to remember are very different?
I think it's maybe not writers block but simply getting tired of it. I can write for 2 weeks daily for a couple of hours, brainstorm, edit existing chapters all at the same time but then I need a couple of days to blow off some steam
Speaking of distracting cats, Norbert has been blocking my view and watching your gestures as though your hands are some sort of fascinating new prey. I find that my writing triggers and habits vary seasonally: Netflix fireplace videos in the winter and writing outside in the summer, for example.
Hi my name is Samantha. I and I kinda have a problem. I live at home and when I try to write my family members always ask me to do thing for them like make them food or to get them something or take the dogs out. I try going up to my room to write but still I get bothered by them call me on my cell phone. The only time I can kinda write when it nice out side like the spring, summer, and some what fall. But even still my family members still bothers me. Do you have any suggestions that will be helpful.
Eliminating distractions: A computer without internet! Can I start in 21 Days? Oh, it was, it takes 21 Days to CREATE the habit...damn I already failed 😊.. And now I want chocolate covered nuts...I have no selfdiscipline.
I write everyday! In more than two years I've NOT written at all on 1 day. How? 750Words.com is where I write daily, and 750 words is my minimum word count daily. Do I write more? Yes, but I don't do any less. Daily.
1)you've NOT written on only one day? or 2)you've NOT NOT written on one single day/ in other words haven't not written on any one day, in other words you have written on every single day?
Don’t listen to anyone who tells you to write when you don’t feel like it. Here’s what you should follow: “If it doesn't come bursting out of you in spite of everything, don't do it. unless it comes unasked out of your heart and your mind and your mouth and your gut, don't do it. if you have to sit for hours staring at your computer screen or searching for words, don't do it. if you're doing it for money or fame, don't do it. if you're doing it because you want women in your bed, don't do it. if you have to sit there and rewrite it again and again, don't do it. if it's hard work just thinking about doing it, don't do it. if you're trying to write like somebody else, forget about it. if you have to wait for it to roar out of you, then wait patiently. if it never does roar out of you, do something else. if you first have to read it to your wife or your girlfriend or your boyfriend or your parents or to anybody at all, you're not ready. don't be like so many writers, don't be like so many thousands of people who call themselves writers, don't be dull and boring and pretentious, don't be consumed with self- love. the libraries of the world have yawned themselves to sleep over your kind. don't add to that. don't do it. unless it comes out of your soul like a rocket, unless being still would drive you to madness or suicide or murder, don't do it. unless the sun inside you is burning your gut, don't do it. when it is truly time, and if you have been chosen, it will do it by itself and it will keep on doing it until you die or it dies in you. there is no other way. and there never was.” -Charles Bukowski
"Eliminate distractions"
Me, scrolling through comments as I watch the video: *whoops*
I struggled with a writing habit when I lived with my family because it was always loud, my grandmother was always smoking and no one took me seriously when I said "Hey! I'm writing!"
I went into an "all things creative" slump" for about 6 years after I moved out of my family home and It was just really bad.
Then my husband told me that he saw a script call for Hallmark- they wanted Christmas movie scripts and I just went for it. It didn't get picked but it got me out of my writing slump.
I have a decent writing schedule now. I write after I put my babies to bed. I watch live write-ins because I find I focus better with them. I can't ever make the live write-ins live. I would love to but the boys are moving a lot and at night it takes two people to wrangle them. Right now since I'm between beta feedback I am working on a crochet project to keep the creative habit alive.
I've had the same problem. It's an uphill battle to find the time to write - and not get interrupted - when the people around you are antagonistic (in anyway) about it. My habits need better cleaning. :)
I found it really hard to write with little kids around. I didn't write a thing in the seven years between when my second child was born and my third turned three. I'm always in awe of anyone who makes it work. But I also didn't have any idea of writing seriously back then. I wrote fanfiction and that's it. Now I have ambitions, and I think that makes all the difference.
Consider getting a sitter if possible. Someone who's there while you're there. 30 minutes, an hour, whatever you need or can afford. Or maybe setting a baby proof area in which one of you can watch the babies/kids play around and be safe. Depending on the age, you might consider taking the kids to a McDonald's playplace (or some other enclosed safe space) and write while they play. Or set up playdates with other parents in which you watch each other's kids while the other cleans house and in your case write.
@@Agentmg17 It's hard sometimes with mine they are just over 1 and there are nights when I sit down to write and one of them starts crying and I go and hold them until they fall back to sleep.
I'm lucky to be a stay at home Mom and can sometimes stay up until 1 a.m to write and not have to worry about going to work the next day. I'm still at the point where I sleep when they sleep in the day. I've thought about writing while they sleep during their two naps, but most of the time if I'm not sleeping while they sleep then I'm cleaning.
I think writing anything is just hard with kids no matter the age.
@@elizalagonia1049 I believe ya. I had the twins and another one that's 9 months older. Sometimes you gotta let the laundry sit for one more day, or eat out of paper plates, or batch cook, or let hubby know that being a stay at home mom... is a job too and that you also need a 30 minute break at some point in the day. You gotta be a little selfish to get in your writing time. Either way, they can go into preschool at age 2. I'm a two year old teacher, trust me, the kids will adapt and socialize. It's good for them.
I'm a maladaptive daydreamer, it means I day dream constantly, my mind is my own distraction 😭😅😭 but I really do love the advice.
Me to, I go off into all sorts of tangents.
R. Brooks meeeeee
omg so am i
What all this boils down to for me, is having a) Self-discipline and b) Boundaries. These things will help with life in general, not just writing. Which brings to mind one of the best bits of advice I ever got about writing, from a college professor: "Whatever trouble you have with your writing, is trouble you have with your life."
"2. Eliminate Distractions"
Me: slowly closes out of twitter for the third time today
Maybe try looking into apps that lock other apps at certain times or for a certain amount of time
5-6 AM! Otherwise I don’t have the time to get writing done. And I’m definitely a “500 words written means I can have a cookie” writer.
I think I've built an accidental incentive trigger when I hear your videos, lmao. As soon as I switched on this video I was like, "oh man, I gotta write!!"
Same, Alexa's videos always motivate me to actually open the damn document and get out some words. Sometimes I save them for a time when I'll have time to write afterwards!
Never clicked so fast. I struggle with this so much. You’ve got my attention. Thanks as always Alexa!
This youtube channel is my music trigger.
I found the channel through Harsh Writing Advice and play it in the background ever since. It's exactly what I needed to stop outlining and worldbuilding and just start writing. I love it because I saw a lot of things that I used to do when I first started trying to write pantser style (I'm a hardcore outliner) and that I had identified on my own without knowing the proper terms like pantsing, info-dumping, etc. It's taught me and helped improve my writing so much.
As I've been writing every day, the story has come to life. I've had to add things or tweak things that I wouldn't have known I needed it to just by outlining.
So, thanks, Alexa Donne!
A few years ago my mentors in ceramic and sculpture gave me the same advice that you just gave (except in regards to making sculpture). It all came down to the same ideas: Practice often, work mindfully, improve on weaknesses, analyze the work of artists you admire. Following this advice got my work into several exhibitions, so I can definitely attest to its merits. As artists we are always learning, always growing, but we can only do that if we do what my mentor called "working through the hard spots" 💪. I'll be trying out your method of tracking progress on a chart. Such a good idea!
Stormy weather (when indoors) is both relaxing and inspiring for writing. I'm in the UK so no need for a playlist lol; it's pissing it down (and sideways) now.
I feel so seen! I was bemoaning my lack of productivity when this popped up. 21 days in a row is my new mantra, thanks for the goal idea! I think lack of structure and deadlines is what thwarts most aspiring writers from completing their first drafts. Please keep it up, writing hacks/craft chats are my favourite videos.
What has been working for me is... I have a group of friends who love my work, and I promised to send them a chapter every month. For some reason it’s way easier for me to let myself down then it is for me to let other people down. 🤷
Another great video Alexa, habits can be so useful... building writing muscles for the win!!!
I've been doing this without thinking about it. Started a discord for writers on the platform I'm on and we do sprints constantly and check in. Theres something empowering about seeing everyone's numbers go up. One difference for me personally with ADHD it can be super hard to focus I made an anime opening hype playlist and it's the trigger for me to write no matter what I'm writing the magical moments happen more often when I've got that going on and focusing. Thank you so much for an amazing video!
Fantastic advice re playlist. I’m writing about my life in the 70s - the music will take me back, literally - thank you!
A tip I have for writing - Set a certain amount of pages a day but make it really unrealistic so instead you end doing half. e.g 10 but it's actually 5
I've been trying to reword myself with stars for every 500 words, and that method allowed me to write a manuscript in 3 months. Now I'm on to my second manuscript and a habit has been formed. Mostly I used to write in the evenings after dinner for a hour or two, but since I'm in between jobs, I've been taking my days to write at a cafe (otherwise I would not get work done) and take the weekends off. However, I'm starting a new job soon, so it's going to go back to writing in the evenings and weekends again. Thanks for all the advice!
I love the tips. My favorites was: take shower and get ready to bed before write and wine!
I learned to write to a deadline at university, but as writing was "only my hobby", I never applied the lessons learned to my novel writing. I took me three to five years to finish a novel, and I was generally okay with it. But then I got so frustrated when I realized that I could force myself to sit down and write two to three pages on that dreadful statistics assignment, but couldn't make myself write the novel that I loved so much. °_° That got me really thinking about my process, and it changed everything. I discovered NaNoWriMo (been living under a stone for years...), wrote 110k in four months and finished the novel I had been working on for years. I started the next one in the series last NaNoWriMo, and I will most likely finish the first draft in April's camp. I had all the skills I needed - I just didn't know it. ^_^
Thank you for your videos - inspiring as always! ^_^
My habit right now is to set aside one full day a week to do nothing but write. This works pretty well for me and allows me to think about other stuff the other days. Of course I'm a student in Sweden where full time university pretty much consists of three lectures a week, so this might not be possible to keep up once I graduate haha.
I've been using 4thewords because it tracks your writing. It gamifies your writing habit which I love. The deadline thing definitely helps for me ^^.
#4.5 Do not create playlist during writing time. 😂 I am notorious for this.
So practical and helpful, thanks Alexa for all your insight, wisdom, and encouragement!
Hi, thank you for all your help. I’ve been a software developer for 30 years and have written many technical documents. I practice to develop the habit to write with feeling rather than bland and terse. Much love 💗
I paused this video, jumped in the shower, and now I'm ready to write. Thanks x
NEVER BEEN THIS EARLY!! You really help me work on my writing and I love your books!
I've been trying the star sticker method since the beginning of the month and it's really helping! I've written more this month alone than the last 6 months combined. I'm not perfect at a habit yet but I have been getting better. And seeing all the pretty stickers on the calendar of my planner and my progress updates on the weekly planning pages really makes me proud and motivated to keep going! I think I'm gonna try and see if the star sticker method works for other things like turning in school assignments faster. Thanks Alexa :)
I've been actually using a lot of these recently!
I use Library/Fireplace/Winter-storm ambient sounds, burn my pine candle, and allow myself to have some of my favorite teas. My biggest problem is finding a consistent time because I travel sometimes for work and my schedule seems to change on a nearly weekly basis. Thankfully right now I'm on a writing retreat in a nearby city, so cafes are keeping me going! I'll probably hit 10,000 words for my project in the next couple hours ^_^
I literally cannot set my own deadlines. XD They never work. Since I know I set them, I also know nothing happens if I don't finish in time, and I know I can move them... so they don't work. But I can sit down every day (almost) to write. Or at least read and think about my story. :)
I write 5k to 10k per two hour writing period/per day... but the trade off is that I listen to Eye of the Tiger on repeat. 🤣😅
I was literally about to start writing when I got this notification lol
I am taking this weekend to finish over-outlining and actually start writing. This video came at a great time. I ordered my star stickers, today!
Inspiration is actually something you get when the brain has a habit of doing something. Basically, write often, and you'll be inspired more often. :)
I've never been good at writing on the weekends :( The words don't flow and they don't sound good in my opinion. And since I'm *horrible* at splitting my time between reading and writing, I try to write every weekday and on the weekends I focus on reading.
I have a music playlist for my gaslamp fantasy series, and it gets me in the writing mood every time!!!!
THIS is exactly the kind of content I needed right now. I really want to form this habit and I have the motivation, but the specific tips you offered I think are really going to help me make the habit stick! Thank you, as always, for an extremely helpful video Alexa!!
You have no idea how much I needed this video 😳😂 Thanks for this
I loooove this! I have come to learn that it can be SO hard to let go of every sentence being perfect, and just get words onto the page so you can go back and fix it later.
One thing I’ve done to combat perfectionism is colour coding. If there is a sentence, or a paragraph that I don’t like, or don’t have the emotional time and energy to fix at that moment, I turn it red or orange, and leave notes for myself. Like “And then this happened... and I’m too lazy to think of specifics right now, because I have more exciting things inside my brain, so I’ll fix this ugly sentence later” 😂
And then I go back later when I have an idea, or if I’m reading through it and it just comes to me. I also colour code things that I need to research, names I want to think more on, structural elements I’m not sure if they work properly, and other random stuff. It’s made for very colourful pages lol.
I saw a kitty tail in the beginning of the video and then couldn't stop thinking about the kitty. So many false starts until I was actually able to watch the video and then it gets mentioned that cats are a distraction.
Ahhh I wish I was one of those authors who could write with music on. Nope. I need to be alone (only the pups and cat are allowed in my office) and totally quiet when writing. I agree, establishing a writing habit is essential. What works best for me is the deadline.
Very informative!Good job!
I have so so many recommendations for ambient sounds, Calm's free version has nature scene sounds like snowstorms, rain, being in a meadow etc, ASMR rooms has the ambient sounds of for example being in Hogwarts Library, being in the Slytherin dormitory, being in Gandalf's library and so many more, Coffetivity has several cafe soundscapes. I also use 'skyrim atmospheres' which is a 40min track on spotify that will be great for any fantasy writers. Got a few more but honestly this comment is so long 😂
I appreciate you making this video. This came at the right time for me. :)
This video has a lot of realistically helpful and actionable advice! Thank you for making it. If I may take you up on your offer to ask questions about forming writing habits, may I ask: Do you think it matters exactly what you're writing in order to establish a writing habit? Should it be a specific project, like a novel, to train yourself to commit to a project and stick to it, or can it be something much less profession like even fanfiction? I wonder if the quality or the potential of the content you're writing affects the training of the habit as you are establishing it. Hope this question makes sense, and thanks again for the video and the advice!
Buy yourself something yummy and say if you don't meet goal you'll give it to your family and watch them eat it without you. This has actually worked for me (I earned my treat and shared it with the fam).
I feel really overwhelmed by the things I need to do, so I can't find myself writing every day. And that's why it took me so long to finish my first draft.
And by the way, I believe writing block does exist (especially for me, who changes the ending every few chapters). Sometimes, when it's too major of a change, you can think with yourself for a few days to realize it. There's nothing wrong with that.
Lmao I usually listen to your videos when writing. And then come back and watch again
Thank you!! Loved this one
I set up Pomodora to time work and breaks. It is based on three hours of writing per day. It’s an app.
Hi Alexa, your videos have really helped me so I'd like to say thank you. Hope you notice me 😊😁💕
Had a creative slump for a couple years now... Part of it's just taking care of my mother... and... well... She's passed. I'm not going to let myself continue to make excuses... Get it written... don't sweat getting it right yet.
SO... just to get back to the old writing habits I used to have... back when I loved dreaming crap up and putting pen to page, I've decided to start out with a refresher in C++... I'm old-school in notes and studies, so it's reading the book and jotting out notes about functions, operators... stuff I'd forgotten over the years, since I'm usually only helping trouble shoot in the software area... ANYWAY... Got the book out and started... I spend a couple hours a day scratching out the short-hand notes for quicker references later... AND take the time to physically move through writing things down.
When I get the juice creatively going, the couple hours can be shifted (hopefully) over to creative writing, and we'll see what crops up. Hopefully something at least as good as I used to crank out constantly... AND I can get a groove cut into editing and moving toward polish...
Thanks for the advice... I don't always get much out of music.. BUT there's no reason not to try.
BTW... Netflix... It doesn't work on linux. I don't know why, but it simply isn't available. BUT all the useful writing sites you've mentioned work FINE! AND there's office software... AND it's all FREE as in FREE!!!
SO if you have trouble with being drawn to netflix and binging when you should be on the PC pounding out words... Maybe get a devoted "work computer" (anything in the three year old line or earlier should work) and put a linux on it. LinuxMint is GREAT out of the box, and very user friendly... AND once you've "made" the thumbdrive to put it on the computer, you have a "rebuild" available anytime you need to go back to original settings... If you're not confident in yourself, there are people who will help you, too. Either at "Ezeelinux.com" OR ask around nearby PC-repair shops. You're not stuck constantly getting new virus wares... anti-ads and malwares... or anything. I haven't defragmented the drive in literal YEARS... AND I get to tell the computer when to update or upgrade the O.S... when I want to. Not get hijacked out of what I was doing until some corporates are done playing with MY computer... ;o)
I think about my stories all the time, especially before I go to sleep.
I def use wine to write (but never more than two glasses!) and I'm still trying to phase that out. My fiance used to reward himself with a piece of chocolate after his writing session, and now he listens to relaxing music to block me and the dogs out. I do a progress calendar...but I use a poster board with post-its that hangs in my office wall. It's all decorated with washie tape and colorful post-its and I change it up every month. Been doing that for about two years now and it's has been one of the best motivators. That hasn't worked for my fiance as he doesn't keep up with his calendar. Goes to show we all are different and have different triggers and motivators.
The habit for me is simple: write every day, or read and study.
Great Video!
Last year my writing was on *schedule*. I had an hour or two every morning, and 5 days a week I was using it to write. I was averaging about 3000 words a week. It worked. I trained myself to be in the right head-space for writing at that time, in that place, and it was beautiful how well it worked.
Then in January my schedule changed, and I no longer have mornings free. I've spent the last almost two months trying to figure out how to write at another time of day, and it's just not working. I've written less than 5,000 words in 2020. It's that bad. I have set deadlines and tried to carve out other times during the day when I can write, but honestly I'm failing. My goal of finishing my manuscript by March is not possible anymore, and I'm getting to a point where I'm despairing of being able to finish it at all this year.
I have a bunch of excuses I could make for why it's been so hard (and it has! they're real problems!), but at the end of the day I just have to accept that I'm a responsible adult and if I want writing to be one of my jobs, I have to make it happen. At least, that's the pep talk I'm giving myself after watching this. Wish me luck...
I'm not an expert in your situation, but it seems to me that you need to have your head clear when you are writing. Maybe you should go for a walk, have a nap, go swimming or do some exercises before you start writing. Believe in yourself. You just need some time to figure everything out.🍀
I recently completed my first novel. The voice will be very different compared to what I have planed for my second novel. I am a 61 year old dude and my two main characters in my second novel will be speaking from the pov of 19-21 year old young ladies. Could you recommend book(s) that provide interesting authentic dialog between that college age female perspective.
I write another 500-1000 (or more; whatever) words, I get to game for a few hours.🤗
Love this! I've taken your advice and started using your star method in my writing planner! I was wondering if you could talk about how to avoid burnout with writing? I write 25k words/week minimum (it's for my job so it's non-negotiable) and I find that, especially towards the end of the week, I start to get really burnt out after writing 4-5k words a day. Do you have any tips for rejuvenation during those days when you just feel burnt out, but you need to get those words down?
Kamalani can you listen to bilateral music on earphones in the background.
this might sound crazy, but i have formed a habit where i can't write unless i'm on Netflix. For example : i am writing two novels at the moment, one is a hard hitting contemporary and the other is a fantasy. So when i'm writing the fantasy novel, i have to be watching so type of sitcom, so something realistic. and if i'm writing the contemporary i have to be watching some type of fantasy show... when i say watching i mean just for it to be playing on the side.
Whatever works for you :)
My new rule is 2 crappy pages a day. I actually end up writing one.
Me too. 2 pages minimum.
I want to write all the time.
Hey, Alexa! I really enjoyed the video (and really needed it, haha) but there’s one thing I’ve always been curious about: why do you pronounce “angst” the way you do? Is it because you also speak German?
Yes, I pronounce it that way because I speak German. Just always have.
Alexa Donne • Aye, awesome! Thanks for letting me know! I’m currently learning German on my own (through Duolingo - that bird is INTENSE, haha) and am really enjoying it so far. As a person who speaks both German and English, do you have any tips for relating the two / things to remember are very different?
I think it's maybe not writers block but simply getting tired of it. I can write for 2 weeks daily for a couple of hours, brainstorm, edit existing chapters all at the same time but then I need a couple of days to blow off some steam
Oof. I did almost all of this for my last book, and then everything got thrown into chaos, so I gotta build those habits again.
I saw a cat pass in the background 0:05
Speaking of distracting cats, Norbert has been blocking my view and watching your gestures as though your hands are some sort of fascinating new prey. I find that my writing triggers and habits vary seasonally: Netflix fireplace videos in the winter and writing outside in the summer, for example.
It's a lot of alcohol only if you count :p
I spot a kitty!
Hi my name is Samantha. I and I kinda have a problem. I live at home and when I try to write my family members always ask me to do thing for them like make them food or to get them something or take the dogs out. I try going up to my room to write but still I get bothered by them call me on my cell phone. The only time I can kinda write when it nice out side like the spring, summer, and some what fall. But even still my family members still bothers me. Do you have any suggestions that will be helpful.
Leave the house to write, and turn off your cell phone when you're out doing it.
I write when everyone goes to bed. So midnight to 3am
Eliminating distractions: A computer without internet! Can I start in 21 Days? Oh, it was, it takes 21 Days to CREATE the habit...damn I already failed 😊.. And now I want chocolate covered nuts...I have no selfdiscipline.
I write everyday! In more than two years I've NOT written at all on 1 day. How? 750Words.com is where I write daily, and 750 words is my minimum word count daily. Do I write more? Yes, but I don't do any less. Daily.
1)you've NOT written on only one day? or 2)you've NOT NOT written on one single day/ in other words haven't not written on any one day, in other words you have written on every single day?
📙💯
Ninja cat.
Attention trigger... RUclips. But I'm writing on the computer sooo... :P
ok but.. I saw the cat tail. show us the cat!
very helpful, thank you! for writing springs, check out @writingsprinter on twitter!
Be prepared: possible rain tomorrow morning
Don’t listen to anyone who tells you to write when you don’t feel like it. Here’s what you should follow:
“If it doesn't come bursting out of you
in spite of everything,
don't do it.
unless it comes unasked out of your
heart and your mind and your mouth
and your gut,
don't do it.
if you have to sit for hours
staring at your computer screen
or searching for words,
don't do it.
if you're doing it for money or
fame,
don't do it.
if you're doing it because you want
women in your bed,
don't do it.
if you have to sit there and
rewrite it again and again,
don't do it.
if it's hard work just thinking about doing it,
don't do it.
if you're trying to write like somebody
else,
forget about it.
if you have to wait for it to roar out of
you,
then wait patiently.
if it never does roar out of you,
do something else.
if you first have to read it to your wife
or your girlfriend or your boyfriend
or your parents or to anybody at all,
you're not ready.
don't be like so many writers,
don't be like so many thousands of
people who call themselves writers,
don't be dull and boring and
pretentious, don't be consumed with self-
love.
the libraries of the world have
yawned themselves to
sleep
over your kind.
don't add to that.
don't do it.
unless it comes out of
your soul like a rocket,
unless being still would
drive you to madness or
suicide or murder,
don't do it.
unless the sun inside you is
burning your gut,
don't do it.
when it is truly time,
and if you have been chosen,
it will do it by
itself and it will keep on doing it
until you die or it dies in you.
there is no other way.
and there never was.”
-Charles Bukowski
Bukowski wasn't trying to be a commercial fiction writer in the year 2020.