Training Your Brain to Write

                                                                Image from Photobucket

They say the right side of your brain is the creative side.


So how do we get those neurons sparking?

1. Read; read whatever you get your hands on. Input produces output.

2. Set aside a time of day where you devote to writing. Let’s say it’s eight to eleven, try to stick with a schedule

3. Take note pad and pen and look at things--really look and write what you see on the pad as if you were describing it to a blind person. This is a great exercise.

4. Honing your craft. Have someone read your work out loud, listen to your words and how it flows. You would be surprised at how easy it is to find something that sounds off key.

5. Writer’s block? Try ramble writing; write something … anything and your brain will kick in and pick up the pieces to get you back on track.

6. Whether you go for a walk, take a long leisurely bath or simply stand at the sink doing dishes, let your thoughts wander… Daydream what you plan to write.

Remember everything starts with a dream.


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One of A Writer’s Worst Nightmares

I shudder to think it nearly happened to me. I woke up this morning intent on working on the next chapter of my manuscript. I had visions of my characters, scenes and dialogue eager to be written. My mind was set on what I wanted to accomplish.

And that’s when it happened, my computer refused to load. All I could think about was the previous chapters I wrote, the scenes I labored over, the scenes I adored. I fiddled with my computer, booting and rebooting, flicking switches, pressing keys, while all the while thinking of how I should have backed up my work.

It’s such a simple thing to do. All it takes is a few minutes to put it on a disk, floppy or ipod, or even print out but I thought I was safe. It’s easy to dismiss the little things, especially after a long day of writing, editing, networking and spending time with family and friends. But it’s those little things that have a nasty bite; the loss of chapters, manuscripts, family photos, recipes –you name it.

I’m pleased to say, my incident this morning had a happy ending. My computer finely woke up from whatever stooper it was in and I was able to retrieve my manuscript which I immediately backed up onto my ipod.