Write before you Write

Have you ever sat down at the keyboard, fingers poised to work on your novel and the words just won't come?  I'm not talking writer's block, here. I'm talking about your mind being so full of stuff (thoughts whirling around in your head) that you can't focus on the next scene you want to write?

I've think I've found a solution - write before you write!

Say what?

That's right, write before you write. Open up a blank document. Don't put a title, just close your eyes (if you touch type) and start writing. Spill all those whirling, swirling, jumbled thoughts inside your head onto the page. Don't worry about spelling, typos, punctuation, order - nothing...just write. Keep typing until you've said it all. (I usually find about 750-1000 words does it for me.)

When you're through and you've spilled it all out - delete it.

Yes, delete it. 

Erase it. 

Get rid of it.

Now, start working on your novel. Your fingers are loosened up, your mind is clear and you can focus on getting your characters into or out of some trouble. You can join them in their world and forget about yours for a little while. You can always go back and fix things later, but for now, your mind is ready to pour the words onto the "paper," so just let your fingers fly!.

That's my tip for the day. Let me know how it works out for you.

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Written by Jan Christiansen