4 Ingredients for Great Writing

AD* | If you’ve ever sat down to write, then you’ll know that it can be pretty difficult to do. You might have the ideas and even some of the words that you want to commit to paper, but that won’t make it straightforward. And that’s possibly because there are few things as scary as a blank page, and the knowledge that you want to fill it. While there are no magic bullets that’ll give you five hundred words of pure gold, there are some things that you can do to start moving in the right direction. Below are a few ingredients you’ll want to throw into the mix.

Find Your Time

There are some famous writers who say you should only ever write late at night. Others say it should always be first thing in the morning. However, for people who make their living from being perceptive, these views are remarkably unsophisticated. The truth is that there is no right time to work - only the time that’s right for you. You won’t know it straight away, but after some trial and error, you’ll soon figure things out. Commit to writing at that time, when your mind is sharpest. Another important point to note is that you need to be clear what you are writing and why you are writing it. If you are an aspiring author, learning how to write a book proposal and crafting a clear, concise summary can help to keep you on track whilst giving you the tools you need to start querying your book.

No Distractions

There’s a common problem when it comes to writing on a laptop. While you’re trying to get work done, there’s a whole world of entertainment - the internet - just one click away. So, unless you’re really disciplined, you might find it difficult to stay focused. As such, it’s a good idea to remove that temptation altogether. There are two ways to do this - work in a place with no internet, or work at a coworking space. If you choose the former, then learn how to use Google Docs offline first. Coworking spaces are recommended simply because everyone else there is working too, so you’ll be much less likely to browse Facebook or start watching random videos on YouTube. 

Post-Travel

Some people sit down at a computer and wait for the magic to happen, but it never comes. And that’s because there’s no inspiration to call upon. If you’ve been in a rut, and essentially living a Groundhog Day-type existence, then you can’t be too surprised if you’re not feeling too inspired to write. Thankfully, there are always ways to jolt your mind into gear. For example, you can go travelling or take a trip somewhere new. If you don’t have that much time (or money!), then look at spending a day hiking in the countryside. It’ll give your mind the little reset it needs to feel alive - and creative - again. 

Sitting Down to Work

Finally, there’s one last word of advice to offer. You have to sit down to work! If you’re forever trying to craft the right environment, you might never get things done. If you’re finding it difficult to write, then look at doing it for just five minutes. If you want to give up after those five minutes have passed, then fine, but in all likelihood, you’ll have gotten the ball rolling.

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Do you have any additional tips to add? Share them in the comments below!