Day 18, Friday, March 18th

Writivation

Ever attend a critique group, class or conference and leave feeling completely deflated as a writer? Well-meaning advice can sometimes shut down your creative flow and smash your confidence in your ability to write. 

Writing tips, ideas and advice can be helpful and stimulating. But they’re only opinions, based on someone else’s experience. They should  be sprinkled only lightly into your soul, like a seasoning.

It’s a little like raising children: people are quick to give advice how others should do it.  But as each parents soon learns, what works for one child doesn’t always work for another. Each child and work in process are unique. To know what’s best for them, you must listen to the quiet voice within. 

Creativity Kick-Starter

Can't wait to hear the story that comes from this mess.

MAKE A MESS 

You’re a mess or you will be when you use this creativity kick-starter. Today I want you to get dirty.

• Make a mud pie
• Finger paint
• Build a sand castle

Productive messiness counts as well.

• Change the oil in your car
• Paint a room
• Work in the garden

Now allow yourself to be messy in your writing. Stop trying to be perfect in your first draft. You can clean up in the editing stage. 

- PJ Switzer

Writing Sprint

(Use the image as inspiration for a story, poem, etc)

Let's get the mojo going. 

Set your timer for 15 minutes 
and write fast & furious. 
- PJ Switzer

Ready. Set. Go!

Share your sprint on our Tumblr page:
 http://anwawritingsprints.tumblr.com

Productivity Pointers

Oh my gosh, why are there so many?

PLAN FOR OBSTACLES

Something’s going to come up. You know it. You know it because it happens every time you commit yourself to a writing goal. So, plan for it. Create realistic goals that are flexible. “I’m going to work for thirty minutes or write 300 words today. Anything more than that and I’m ahead of the game.”

Planning for obstacles helps in a couple of ways. First, you’re not angry when someone or something has a problem. You’re prepared. Second, you don’t lose steam as easily. High goals are great but if you’re repeatedly unable to make them it can kill your confidence and lead to the dreaded, “What’s the point?” attitude.

- PJ Switzer

LINKS TO LOOK AT:

Interested in writing screenplays and scripts? Check out Script Magazine.

http://www.scriptmag.com

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