An error we often make when writing is focusing too soon on mechanical details such as word, sentences and structure.
If we show up to the screen thinking about that stuff the practice won't go well unless you're working on a project that's already been refined. something at the revision stage, then which the details are the focus.
But most of us we are showing up daily to write something new rather than polish something existing. I mean let me just speak for myself. Today I wanted to write a snippet of fiction for a world I've been building. But what did I notice was the first thing that came into my mind? The first sentence I would write. What words it would contain and how it would flow.
I could've wrote that down but even before opening up the browser tab I asked myself, Do i have any idea where this is headed?
I've returned to starting my days by writing pen on paper. To me this is the best way to actually see ideas and work with them without the pressure to have them polished or refined. I like showing up to the screen once I have some small unit of concreteness that I'd like to share, but for molding, it just works better with analog tools such as paper and pen. And of course great conversations with intellectual and emotional sparring partners like williamliao. See you at coffee soon!
No pen and paper for me. It's all wahputer as my nephew used to call it. And by this point nearly three years in, for me it's just sit and write. What's this noodling about what to write about?
williamliao i'm surprised that you have such cold starts, and that you've persisted even when you begin like that.
But just like you mentioned separating work and relaxing via space/time, i really recommend separating idea molding and catching vs writing down through materiality. Using paper and pen instead.
therealbrandonwilson i actually have no trouble writing non fiction when facing a waputer. I can just crank out whatever's on my mind. When it comes to fiction it's when i can't just crank!
williamliao
more recently my drafts have started with "what the fuck do I write about?"
Now my approach is to open up a draft and jot down keywords anytime there is an idea that I think is worth riffing on.
The intellectual/emotional sparring is very helpful too !
But just like you mentioned separating work and relaxing via space/time, i really recommend separating idea molding and catching vs writing down through materiality. Using paper and pen instead.