Being partial to a tipple myself, I do love this “write drunk, edit sober” quote. While there is some debate about who actually said it – I’ve heard Ernest Hemmingway, Peter de Vries and even Mark Twain – there is a ring of truth to it.
Not that I’m advocating that you get yourself well-oiled before you start writing your business content, but there is something to be said for getting your ideas down when your mind isn’t cluttered with all that day to day stuff.
It’s certainly true that alcohol manipulates focus, and that feeling of relaxation you get after a few drinks can spark creativity. When you’re feeling relaxed, you are more likely to let your mind wander, to think about things in a different way, to feel imaginative and inventive.
So wouldn’t it be great if we could access that creative part of our brain without having to aid it along with a few drinks – to get metaphorically drunk so to speak. Here’s how I think you can do just that:
Always be Prepared
Carry a notebook, and jot ideas down when you come across them. This could be sparked from an overheard conversation, something you read in the newspaper, a comment a friend makes on Facebook, or simply anything you come across as you make your way through your day.
I keep writing my ideas down in one section but I use a fresh page for every idea that I think could grow some legs. I wouldn’t have more that 3 or 4 of these “works in progress” on the go at the same time and if you keep it to a small number you’ll be surprised how often you think about that particular topic and some ideas start to germinate. This is your creativity starting to kick in, and when it starts, write down whatever comes to your head – let yourself go and don’t let the creativity thieves (kids, partner, phone, email, facebook) rob you of your ideas. This is the essence of creative writing.
Get a bit of Discipline
Discipline and creativity might not sound like they go hand in hand but if you expect the ideas in your notebook to magically turn into a great blog or interesting and relevant piece of content you will be sadly mistaken.
Try to make some time each day that is yours and yours alone to take a look at your ideas in the cold hard light of day and see where they could take you. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself but do allocate some time and stick to it.
Lots of people say they just can’t spare the time, but honestly, 30 minutes before breakfast or during lunch is not going to kill you. You may start off by staring at your ideas with a mild feeling of panic, with no real idea of where this is going to take you and what the output is going to be like. Don’t worry – just keep persevering. Even if you don’t actually add anything to your musings on day one, sooner or later you will, so long as you stick with it.
I find it easiest to start with a headline – even if it’s not the headline I end up running with, it helps me focus my ideas, and start to group them into things that might be interesting to write about.
Be Your Own Critic
This is where the “edit sober “ bit comes in. Usually when I’m writing, I’m just trying to get what’s in my brain down on the page. I know it’s not going to read that well initially. I know it will be full of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. But I don’t care – because I know I will be giving it the critical once over, or more likely, the critical thrice over before I am ready to submit it or publish it anywhere.
Have Fun with It
If it’s starting to feel like a chore, or you just can’t seem to pull your notebook ideas into anything remotely resembling a story for your business, your personal blog, the world’s next best seller, or whatever it is you’re writing….take a break.
Do some doodles, do the crossword, play some word games, anything that is a bit of fun and that will get your mind off the job at hand and get it to lighten up.
Then sit back down again and think about why you’re writing what you’re writing. Have a passion for it, feel some emotion towards it. Then place your fingers on the keyboard and start typing. It doesn’t matter what you type, just start typing. Let your personality shine through. Trust me, it may be a slow process initially but eventually you will get you results.
Get Yourself Tipsy
Your mind is the biggest obstacle standing between you and some great creative writing. Get it a bit tipsy and before you know it the ideas and words will be pouring out.
If All Else Fails
If creative writing just isn’t for you, and even a few tipples don’t help with the process then find someone who can do your writing for you. (Did I mention that I am available for hire?? If you’d like to talk about creating content for your business, give me a call on 0400 514579)