When I’m in a lull, I write on my notes app on the elliptical at the gym in the morning. It feels so low stakes, I have 30 min, and if I can drop into a train of thought I can sustain it when I get home. Whatever works!
I put the baby down, put on the same music, free write for 25 minutes, and my brain feels sharp enough, start editing.
I walk to the same cafe and listen to Gregorian chants on the way there , I make sure nobody needs me, sometimes I speak into my phone, and it’s a garbled paragraph of something,
Or it’s a voice note with cars going by.
When I’ve written enough pieces it can feel like I’m drowning, and I can’t figure out what the next step is. Because there’s just too many things in my head. So I have a little crisis, and tell the people closest to me, that it doesn’t matter and it’s all crap.
And I despair for a while, and then I read an essay like this, or workshop a piece and I stare at the nice things in red pen, and get back to work.
I love this, Heather. It feels so timely right now after struggling with writer's block and crippling anxiety and being a recovering perfectionist. The idea of having a friend to share with and get feedback from is delightful. Thank you!
I love Sleeping At Last’s Enneagram album! :) it’s what introduced me to—& got me obsessed with—the subject, many years ago. And thanks for writing this—I don’t usually comment but I do always enjoy your work! <3
Hi Aviva! I didn’t write that I actually listened to the instrumental version for writing, which was new to me… The instrumental version, that is. Do you have a favorite track? Mine’s 5.
Ooh, the instrumental version is new to me as well (just listened & it’s lovely!). Though it’s not “mine”, my favorite track has always been 2 :) and 8 always gets me pretty good as well!
Reading the first tip reminded me of doing C25K and how doing the small bit of running I was scheduled to do helped me build up without burning out or injuring myself while I built some momentum.
I'm going to try creating a playlist for writing. I have a cowriting group once a week, on Monday mornings. It's a good momentum starter for the week, even if I use the time to make to do lists for writing projects.
When I’m in a lull, I write on my notes app on the elliptical at the gym in the morning. It feels so low stakes, I have 30 min, and if I can drop into a train of thought I can sustain it when I get home. Whatever works!
Aww, thanks for the shout out. My tip is “become friends with Heather Lanier and instantly be inspired!” ❤️🙏😌
I put the baby down, put on the same music, free write for 25 minutes, and my brain feels sharp enough, start editing.
I walk to the same cafe and listen to Gregorian chants on the way there , I make sure nobody needs me, sometimes I speak into my phone, and it’s a garbled paragraph of something,
Or it’s a voice note with cars going by.
When I’ve written enough pieces it can feel like I’m drowning, and I can’t figure out what the next step is. Because there’s just too many things in my head. So I have a little crisis, and tell the people closest to me, that it doesn’t matter and it’s all crap.
And I despair for a while, and then I read an essay like this, or workshop a piece and I stare at the nice things in red pen, and get back to work.
beautiful!
I love this, Heather. It feels so timely right now after struggling with writer's block and crippling anxiety and being a recovering perfectionist. The idea of having a friend to share with and get feedback from is delightful. Thank you!
I love Sleeping At Last’s Enneagram album! :) it’s what introduced me to—& got me obsessed with—the subject, many years ago. And thanks for writing this—I don’t usually comment but I do always enjoy your work! <3
Hi Aviva! I didn’t write that I actually listened to the instrumental version for writing, which was new to me… The instrumental version, that is. Do you have a favorite track? Mine’s 5.
Ooh, the instrumental version is new to me as well (just listened & it’s lovely!). Though it’s not “mine”, my favorite track has always been 2 :) and 8 always gets me pretty good as well!
Some days all I can muster is to open up my document and re-read it.
Thank you for the tips about momentum🙏
Love this! I'm sharing to FB. Yep, like Karen says, January momentum is tough.
This is all such useful advice! ❤️(Momentum in January is always such a challenge….)
So many good reminders here.
Reading the first tip reminded me of doing C25K and how doing the small bit of running I was scheduled to do helped me build up without burning out or injuring myself while I built some momentum.
I'm going to try creating a playlist for writing. I have a cowriting group once a week, on Monday mornings. It's a good momentum starter for the week, even if I use the time to make to do lists for writing projects.