Write it! available as a free download this weekend

This weekend - Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th March 2013 - you can download a free copy of my book Write It! - How to write your book in 30 hours or less from Amazon. Follow the tips to plan your book, create time to write, get your writing done and complete your book.


Happy writing.

10 Tips To Get Back In The Zone

We’ve all had those times when the Muse doesn’t arrive, we have writer’s block or we hit that wall. You are looking at the cursor flashing on the screen, fingers hovered over the keyboard and nothing happens, no new words, no new chapters. 

You may even look over the work you completed yesterday and decide it is rubbish and start thinking that maybe you should rewrite this first.  In nearly all cases this is your internal self-doubt or self-destruct button trying to prevent you from reaching your goals.

Don’t let it win. If you have been writing for three hours solid then you probably need a break. Most likely you have been sat at your computer for a while and just can’t get going. If this is the case do not do something else instead and think that when you come back you will feel better – you won’t.

Here are 10 tips that will silence that self doubt voice and help you get going again, at least for today.

1)      Write a different section or scene - you should have a fairly good idea about the whole of your book, maybe there is a future scene that you are just burning to write, maybe you have a chapter on a subject that particularly interests you. Write it now.

2)      Use pen and paper – the brain connects differently with pen and paper than with a keyboard and screen; turn off the screen and start handwriting. This could be shorthand notes, a plan for what happens next, or the complete script.

3)      Make a list – sometimes the brain cannot switch off from all the other things that need doing, repairing the car, doing the shopping, cleaning the floor, make a list of all the things you need to do and then forget about them. If any are time sensitive then set a reminder on your phone or in your diary.

4)      Set a timer and write freely for 10 minutes - it doesn’t matter if you need to cut it later.  This might be a conversation between two of your characters, or an interesting piece of research you undertook for your book. If nothing else this will get you back into the minds of your characters which will help with the “what will they do next” or re-engage you with your topic.

5)      Close your eyes and imagine this section of your book completed – what will be there, how will it end. Play out the scene or think through the content. Visualisation is a powerful technique used to get those creative juices flowing.

6)      Meditate – many writers start a writing session with meditation. Clear the mind and remove all tension. If it helps use music or an inspirational audio track.

7)      Ask a question of your book – ask a character what they think should happen next.

8)      Write the description or blurb for your book – this will help you focus on the purpose or theme of your book.

9)      Record your words - use voice to text software or a Dictaphone, verbalising your words can increase your creativity, improve flow and help you find the answers you need.

10)   Turn off your screen and type – you are getting no visual feedback so no negative thoughts.

Work through these and see which work best for you. Never give up – if you plan to write for an hour then don’t let your self-doubt stop you.

Happy writing.