When you hear professional writers talk about writing consistently the dominant theme is that you have to just get on and do it.
Don’t wait for the muse. Sit down at your desk every day like a normal job and write.
In some ways this “you’ve just got to sit down and grind it out” is romanticised as what “real” writing is about. It’s hard work. It takes grit.
I guess it makes writers feel like they’re doing a proper job :)
And while there’s a lot of truth in it, I think it overlooks something big.
I sometimes compare it to a game of football (that would be soccer to you heathens).
If you’re playing in a team you have to work hard to progress up the field and create scoring opportunities.
You can’t rely on sparks of genius or being presented with an open goal.
You have to have a plan and grind out your progress.
But guess what?
If the opposition goalkeeper slips up and passes to you in the penalty area, or Bruno Guimaraes makes a worldie of a pass, you damn well take advantage of it and put the ball in the net.
Momentum in writing is like that lucky break in football.
I mentioned earlier that sometimes you’ll be reading an email or social media post and you desperately want to reply. My suggestion was to turn that into an email.
But don’t wait a week before doing it. Do it straight away or at worst within 24 hours. Harness the energy and emotion you have and let the writing flow.
That’s momentum.
In the past I’ve advised you to write down things you observe during the day or thoughts you have that could lead to interesting emails.
What I’d add is to try to turn that idea or experience into an email as soon as possible.
Don’t think “My writing hours are 9am-11am on Fridays - that’s when I grind out my emails. I’ll wait until then”
Harness momentum. Write when you’ve got energy and enthusiasm.
Don’t wait for energy and enthusiasm. But damn well take advantage of it when it happens. Put the ball in the net.
Of course, it won’t always be possible. If you get a brilliant idea in the shower or down the pub you can’t suddenly write an email.
So scribble down the idea as soon as you can so you can do your email later.
But make that later as soon as possible. Harness momentum.
- Ian