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Timer Magic for Writers
by Katey Coffing, Ph.D.
If your writing muscle isn't in shape, writing a novel may seem like
a sheer, unscalable cliff. ("Gee, I don't think I can write today. I
left my climbing shoes in my other backpack...")
Keep in mind that you don't need to write the whole book today, so
stop beating yourself up. Instead, just start moving, one footstep
at a time.
One of my favorite writing tools is a timer. My author clients and I
swear by ours, and "timer magic" can work for almost any task that's
looming over you. (Remember the old joke about how to eat an
elephant? One bite at a time!)
Get a timer and set it for fifteen minutes. C'mon, fifteen
minutes—you can do anything for that long. Promise yourself these
two things:
(1) you'll be in your chair, and
(2) you'll be willing to write during that time.
Even if you're afraid you'll be staring at a blank screen, do it.
That's your agreement.
Now: butt in chair, hands on keyboard, set the timer, and go. Write
down anything that comes to you—snippets of dialogue, ideas for an
opening paragraph, why your heroine scratches her nose when she's
nervous and hates velvet. Anything. Don't censor it.
When the timer goes off, you're free to stop. You've done what you
pledged—writing time in that chair. Congratulations!
Now take a reward. Will it be a bowl of Rocky Road ice cream? Half
an hour of guilt-free reading of a favorite author's new book? Do
what feels good, and choose something that will motivate you next
time.
Next, decide exactly when that time will be (make it soon). If
you're in the middle of a juicy paragraph and want to complete it,
do. You can always set the timer for another fifteen minutes to keep
going. Then do something extra nice for yourself. You earned it!
As fifteen minutes becomes a habit, add more minutes to the timer to
increase your momentum. Soon you'll be zipping along.
Remember: it takes only one step to start a journey, and small steps
can take you anywhere you want to go.
About the Author
Katey Coffing, Ph.D. is a novelist and book coach who helps women
delight in writing (and finishing!) their books. Visit her at
http://www.Women-Ink.com
To receive additional articles and tips for women writers, subscribe
to Katey's ezine, The Write Calling, at
http://www.Women-Ink.com/the-write-calling.htm
© Copyright 2004 Katey Coffing, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved.
I.M.G.
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