All with lessons and insights on reading and writing poetry and short prose. Check out the resources I offer below and sign up for my newsletter!
Complexity is my Enemy
Complexity is my Enemy
I am overwhelmed.
I am scared.
So I don't write.
There would be nothing to be overwhelmed about if I wasn't over analytical wanting to get all the pieces together.
Here's the funny thing. Even when I think I have gotten all the pieces together there will always be more.
Looking at my writing life I have looked for what my goals are for the year. I noticed that all the goals are based on the foundation of practice.
Since everything was so complex and abstract. I sought to learn from the masters to see how they did it.
- Stephen King writes 2,000 words daily . Rain or Sunshine
- Ray Bradbury advised we write a short story every week
If the goal is clear . Then the friction of what to do will be removed.
The Resistance
Or Friction
Or as fondly called Procrastination.
I need to take care of it .
In recent issues of the newsletter I talked about having a system for me.
Here's what I came up with.
Schedule
Write Monday to Friday
Revise Saturday and Sunday
Now for the goal,habit and system to work it has to be clearly defined.
I mean the
- Why
- What
- When
- Where
- How
Why
To become a better writer so I can write my stories that I would love to read . To become better so I can share stories that connect with the reader.
What
Write 500 words: Weekdays Rain or Sunshine.
When
8:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Where
In the students' reading room for now.
How
Using Google Docs in my Phone or my writer's Notebook.
Output Goal
Write a Short Story Every Week
You can use them for yours too. I would love to see yours.
Moving on.
Why did I not achieve my goals in the past?
No ideas.
Nothing interesting to write.
No tracking.
Solution
When I am not inspired to write . I would write a journal entry of my day in 500 words.
I can turn it into a story or nonfiction.
Also I am gathering my own bag of prompts.
When I am absolutely not willing to write. I would use the Neil Gaiman method.
I can work
Or not work
But I can't do anything else during this period. I can only stare at the screen. The boredom will force me to write.
To Do
Buy a writer's Notebook
Weekly Prompts
The imitation Game. What I will be doing is take stories and poems from authors I loved and rewrite them from my own concept angle.
Noteworthy
You can watch this video on goal setting. It gives a complete actionable system to setting your goals. You can adapt it for writing. Struthless Goal setting
You also play with the goal setting tool but first watch the video.
Branch Tool
Until next time, keep writing.
Hi! I'm Mechi.
Every week I send you a newsletter
All with lessons and insights on reading and writing poetry and short prose. Check out the resources I offer below and sign up for my newsletter!
I Almost Quit the 30 Day Podcast... But Here's Why I Didn't Hello Writers, Can I be fully transparent with you? There was a moment when I seriously considered quitting my 30 Day Podcast Challenge. The overwhelm was real, the self-doubt crept in, and I struggled to figure out what I'd even talk about for 30 straight episodes. But then I asked myself - why was I letting excuses get in the way of a commitment I made to myself? I don't have a day job, I have the time. The real obstacles were the...
I am taking a break, Here's why All my subscribers have been supportive. Replying to my emails and reading every issue I send. Thank you. For sometime I noticed that the newsletter I have been writing is not what I will be delighted to read as a writer. I have been asking myself what transformation have I worked on. While I am a beginner and young writer that's no excuse. I started this this newsletter. The blog and the Buildwriting brand in general to genuinely help writers and not just be...
What Teaching Kids Taught me About Writing? When I was called to be a home lesson teacher. I had no experience. No clue. But the person asking me to do this believed I could do it. As with things I am confused about. I called persons I knew had the experience for advice Googled. Checked YouTube. Figure it out When I started I knew beyond doubt that I could figure it out. I just didn't know how . What was special about this was the time between learning a technique and putting it in practice....