I have figured out the secret to writing

[Patton]

At least for me.

The more you do, the more you'll do.

If I make myself write more, more stuff will pour out of me and I'l be able to double that. It's like working out. If I push myself just a little harder it somehow manages to double my output.

ALSO, and this one is just as important. Work on more than one (I try 4) thing concurrently. That way you do a little on this, a little on this, etc. And then all of the sudden you've finished four projects.

I did this last week, worked on four scripts, jumping from one to the next whenever I didn't feel it or whatever, and I finished all four in one week.

This may seem obvious to everyone else, but it wasn't for me and I had been just trying to get one done before moving on to the next. I felt like if I tried to do something else, that the first one would fall by the wayside. But it worked out.

I finished four scripts and a seven page story, writing, pencils, ink, letters all in one week.

This week I plan to finish 3 more comic scripts, at least 14,000 words on a novel, and at least seven pages of art (got three already yesterday).

It helps I have a crappy job and no life other than a fiance. But still, it might work for you too.

So, what's your secret? Share your methods.

[AAlgar]

I agree. It's like working out -- the more you do it, the better you get at it, and the more you want to do it.

[SteveZegers]

I work in cycles. I go from weeks where I write whenever I have free time to weeks where I barely do anything beyond single line ideas. I like working like this though. I come up with the ideas and then have time to think about them before the actual writing happens.

[Patton]

I work in cycles. I go from weeks where I write whenever I have free time to weeks where I barely do anything beyond single line ideas. I like working like this though. I come up with the ideas and then have time to think about them before the actual writing happens.
I used to do that, but with this new regimine, I just get something on the "paper", then figure it out later and make it better.

Its bringing up my work ethic.

[jason hissong]

Nathan- editing is awsome. Getting it on paper is the hardest part, editing is the fun part.


For me, writing is all about confidence. It's about me taking my shot. Nothing more.

It helps when I can write at the same time for the same amount of time everyday.

-jason

[SteveZegers]

I used to do that, but with this new regimine, I just get something on the "paper", then figure it out later and make it better.

Its bringing up my work ethic.
See, I'm moving away from that. I compare things I wrote when I forced myself to things I wrote when my heart was completely in it. The forced stuff isn't as good.

I also very rarely work on one script all the way through. I work in pieces, first an idea, then some dialogue, then some more dialogue, and then finally getting it all into a final form. And there can be weeks between each step. It works really well for me since it's not like I have deadlines or anything. It helps everything develop.

[AAlgar]

I find that inspiration tends to be fleeting, and that if I don't get exactly the right amount of food, sleep and activity I just can't focus properly. It's really maddening sometimes.

[CraigM]

I agree with you. Yesterday, I jumped from plotting some issues out, to writing a column, to re-writing a few issues of Tyr, to writing 3000 words for my novel. Today will be the same with finishing some re-writes, working on the novel some more, and plotting some more stuff.

Craig

[Gene Reginato]

A long time ago when I thought I had writing talent, my biggest problem was to sit down and write. I'd write a good outline, some plot points, some characterization bits but when I'd finally sit down and write the story itself, I'd get bored really fast.

OR

I'd rush to the good bits and do a terrible job on the rest of it.

[Shannon Chenoweth]

Yup, this is very true. Another reason why I picked up a prompt book, it's a good exercise to do no matter how much you already write. :)

[WAKKAJAWAKKA]

I Push Myself Working Out So I Can Eat More. My Secret To Writing Is Pretty Much To Hope It Gets Written For Me By Shoe Gnomes At Night.

Wayno.

[Angel of Distraction]

I have done both of those for a while. They do indeed work, but even so, there is still no cure but time for total and complete writer's block.

[Shannon Chenoweth]

I have done both of those for a while. They do indeed work, but even so, there is still no cure but time for total and complete writer's block.

No such thing as writer's block. ;)

[Angel of Distraction]

No such thing as writer's block. ;)

Tell that to an incurably blank computer screen at 2 AM. :D

[AAlgar]

No such thing as writer's block. ;)

Whatever writing handbook you got this out of is wrong. There is definitely such a thing.

[CraigM]

Tell that to an incurably blank computer screen at 2 AM. :D

Then you move on to a different project you have in mind.

I've been writing for the past three years, and not once have I hit Writer's Block ;-)

Craig

[Patton]

I Push Myself Working Out So I Can Eat More. My Secret To Writing Is Pretty Much To Hope It Gets Written For Me By Shoe Gnomes At Night.

Wayno.
I'ma get us a rough draft to work with soon.

[Angel of Distraction]

Then you move on to a different project you have in mind.

I've been writing for the past three years, and not once have I hit Writer's Block ;-)

Craig

I have to have the feel for a certain project, and some nights I just don't have it for anything.

[CraigM]

I have to have the feel for a certain project, and some nights I just don't have it for anything.

Then maybe I'm just abnormal. If I don't feel it with a certain project, then I move on to another one, just like Nathan mentioned in his original post.

Craig

[Angel of Distraction]

Then maybe I'm just abnormal. If I don't feel it with a certain project, then I move on to another one, just like Nathan mentioned in his original post.

Craig

Yeah, I've got five or six going, but sometimes I just don't feel like writing. When I do, I'm on, but when I don't, I have nothing.

[Shannon Chenoweth]

Whatever writing handbook you got this out of is wrong. There is definitely such a thing.

No book, just what I have come to believe.

[Shannon Chenoweth]

Yeah, I've got five or six going, but sometimes I just don't feel like writing. When I do, I'm on, but when I don't, I have nothing.

I get that sometimes, but I always write SOMETHING. Gotta keep going. :)

[Patton]

clumpop

[Raphael J]

I wish I had time to write more. I've had a script be close to done for a few weeks now, but I haven't had time to make the changes I've wanted. And I have two or three more projects in mind, but I just don't have time to work on them. Hopefully, during Christmas break I'll be able to work harder on this.

But that is some good advice. I usually don't like skipping from work to work, but I'll give it a shot next time I get the chance.

[gwyllgi]

Yeah, the more go back and review work, the more ideas I get to write more.

I wrote 1300 words or so for NANWRIMO.

[Patton]

Yeah, the more go back and review work, the more ideas I get to write more.

I wrote 1300 words or so for NANWRIMO.
I got to 1900.

100 more to go, but I'm at such a good stopping point so I think I will.