A few weeks ago, I was asked to write an article for the Philippine Star. I didn’t think I would have much of a problem with it – it was a 300-word advertorial, something I was confident I could whip up in minutes, but with just one day left before the deadline, I found myself stuck.
The hardest thing about writing, for me, is the act of writing itself. When I don’t know how to start an essay – which I believe serves as the prelude for how good the piece will turn out – I lose the drive to even try. It’s a horrible defeatist attitude, I know. But that’s why – in a moment of frustration – I decided to come up with this list:
The Badass* Writer’s Unofficial Guide To Getting Started
*I don’t really know what this means but I thought it sounded cool
1. The battle doesn’t begin when you’re sitting at your computer desk. The battle begins the moment you wake up and break into full consciousness.
– The problem with me is I completely ignore the fact that any art worth pursuing takes discipline. Yup, getting something done means adopting an attitude of mindfulness and carving out a place and time to write — with the resolve that you won’t budge until you’ve at least managed banging the hell out of those first two paragraphs.
If you get to your computer desk with no determination, no preconceived will to sit and see your work through, then trust me — you’ve already lost. Yes, there are times when inspiration allows you to power through with little to no effort but inspiration happens only about a fourth time. For the ones who want to write, who want to finish that novel or make the freelance life a reality, the only option is to wake up, tell yourself that you’re going to do it then actually go and do it.
2. You’ve got to get comfortable with the crap.
Almost all my beginning sentences start out horrible. Sometimes they’re awkward or grammatically inconsistent or just plain bad. In any case, I’ve learned to get comfortable with those ugly firsts.
Fun fact: almost every first draft gets scrapped. That’s not a disappointment. That’s normal.
Sticking it out with your bad beginnings gives you momentum and as you plow through, no matter how crappy it gets, there’s usually a point somewhere along the way where you actually hit gold. So once you write, even if you hate it at first, keep writing.
Learn, instead, to become a Master Editor.
3. Step out.
Sometimes you try to come up with something brilliant off the bat and you end up striking out enough times to lead to a complete mental burnout. When this happens, shut your computer off and get out. Part of our obligation as writers is to find (and be found by) stories. And that usually only happens when we actually take the time to engage with the world.
When the piece your writing manages to cut off your breathing space, then you know that the next best step is to get as far away from it as possible and connect with what is real. And that only exists in the offline world.
When you come back, you’ll get to see what you’re working on with new eyes. And from personal experience, that is the solution to getting out of a creative rut.
4. Just write.
If you get the wheels of your brain moving, if your fingers are constantly flying on a page, if you keep pouring words out with less fear and more hope, then something great is bound to be born. I promise.
Page one starts now. Right now. What are you waiting for?
Featured image copyright Ella Goodwin.
