The feeling of showing up and Starting Small
After trying and failing to write consistently I figured out some of the mistakes I made when trying to build a writing routine.
I will share them with you in this newsletter.
Starting Too Big
One of the mistakes I made was trying to write in big hours because when I read interviews of famous writers and all the people I admired . They said they wrote for 3 to 6 hours a day.
When I started building up from small.
I saw what the problem was.
Showing up everyday is not easy if it was that easy everyone would be doing it.
There are two things you are trying to do. You are trying to build a habit which is hard. I was also trying to write an excellent work which is two big things. There’s nothing wrong with trying to write excellently but Let’s take it step by step.
Figure out the smallest time for you to show up.
And then start showing up. When you have built a habit you can start optimizing and testing out your skills to write excellently.
Project Routine.
When most writers are interviewed they start with “when I am working on a book”
We ignore this important phrase. It means that the routine they use is a project routine. They used to work on their book for 90 days.
Well it seems they write everyday.
Here’s the secret: when you start working on a book ,story or poem everyday you start to build a kind of momentum that is different from what writers like us that start from scratch everyday.
The momentum is to their advantage.
Which is why I am pivoting to weekly writing projects.
Small progress is better than no progress.
Looking back at the last five years of my life I see that I have always wanted to have hours to myself to write and be sucked into the world of my story. I don’t have that kind of time.
Well what are my options?
I could write for 15 minutes,30 minutes or 1 hour.
It is not good enough. I need to put in so much time so I can accumulate 10,000 hours faster but looking back I see that I end up losing.
You lose if you don’t take action.
You lose if you don’t write.
Writing Prompts
Based on Friendship
1. Write a mystery story where two childhood friends reunite after many years apart, only to discover they both possess pieces of a long-lost treasure map.
2. Inseparable since kindergarten, their bond was tested when…”
3. What if a group of friends stumbled upon a hidden portal that led to a magical realm? Write about their adventures and how their friendship evolves through this enchanting journey.
4. Create a character who is known as the “Friendship Matchmaker” – someone who brings people together and strengthens their bonds. Explore the challenges they face when helping others while dealing with their own friendships.
5. Describe a quaint, cozy café where a group of friends gathers regularly to share stories, laughter, and secrets.
6. Write a heartwarming dialogue between two friends who have been apart for a long time, catching up and reminiscing about their shared memories.
7. In just 200 words, craft a story about two friends who make a pact to travel the world together but face unforeseen obstacles along the way.
8. Write a story about a close-knit group of friends who slowly realize that one among them is an undercover spy for a secret organization.
9. First line: “They met in the most unexpected way, yet their friendship would shape their destinies forever.”
OR Last line: “As they watched the sunset together, they knew that their friendship would endure any challenge that life threw their way.”
Feel free to use these prompts to explore the theme of friendship in your writing and uncover the unique dynamics that come with this special bond. Happy writing!
Quote of the Week
“What we were doing was not actually clear to us at the time. We were simply writing our story.” – Chinua Achebe
Update
Still haven’t sent my works for feedback. When I do I will let you know. Including the places I sent them to.
Question
I am working on simple online tools for writers and Readers to help in the reading and writing process.
Please let me know what you like?
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