Writing Tips: How to Be Prolific
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Introduction
As a full time college student, full time house husband, father to two dogs and part time music tutor, I am often asked how I have time to write so often and on such a variety of different topics and in so many different styles. While I firmly believe a lot of it is genetics and my "affliction" of Attention Deficit Disorder, there are also things I've learned to help me become a better and a more productive writer. There are numerous ways to improve the craft, to develop ideas and to publish quality and interesting content. I would like to share some of these ideas with you now.
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Read
You cannot be a good writer without being an avid and voracious reader. Reading can help with the formulation of ideas, with grammar, with spelling, with vocabulary, and, most importantly, with the broadening of horizons. Stephen King, the world's best selling novelist and one of the finest commercial writers of modern times in his book On Writing says that you need to read as part of your daily writing routine. Schedule it. Treat it as part of your job as a writer. I tend to read 3-4 books at once. I'm usually reading one novel or poetry book, one book on the craft and/or business of writing, a biographical or historical book and something lighthearted and fun (As of this writing, I'm reading The Van by Roddy Doyle, Two Copper Coins by Dale Price, The Productive Writer by Sage Cohen and The Band Name Book by Noel Hudson). Reading such a variety exposes me to numerous styles and ideas. You can also translate what you're reading into easy money by reviewing the books or taking some of ideas, situations, and characters and running with them and creating a short story, poem, commentary, expose or essay of your own.
Books I'm Reading As of This Writing in January 2012
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Write
I don't care if you're writing for pleasure, for money, as part of a non writing career or for school, you need to write everyday if you want to get better. A musician doesn't improve as a musician if he doesn't practice, the same goes for writers. I don't care if you write for an hour and it's not publishable, you're still a better writer for having written. Furthermore, if you're able to recognize that it's not any good, you're also growing as a writer. Most writers will tell you that when you write, you should go into it expecting no one seeing the first four or five pages you write. This takes the pressure off of you. Just write and let the creative juices flow.
Are you lacking inspiration? Don't worry, I'll get to that.
The act of writing is simple. It's not about being inspired, it's about filling a blank piece of paper with words. Whatever your allotted writing time (we'll get to that too) is for the day, sit down and write. Do not edit or critique. Just keep your pen on the paper or fingers on the keyboard and write whatever comes to mind. Not only is it fun to see where the mind takes you, you also don't want to interupt your flow by stopping to read or edit what you're written. Odds are, you're bound to find something useable for a poem, story or essay from just free writing. The critical element, of course, is not stopping until the time is up and not editing yourself or reading what you've written until your time is up. I recommend an hour, but no less then 30 minutes.
Look for Inspiration
Even the most creative amongst us need to often LOOK for inspiration. You don't always wake up with an idea but, if you're a serious writer, you still need to sit down and write.
So where can you find inspiration?
Well, in addition to reading a lot, here's some other ideas I've found helpful for coming up with ideas.
* carry a notebook. You never know when inspiration might strike. Always have a notebook and writing implement with you so if a phrase, memory or image crosses your path you can write it down and refer to it later. I try to keep a notebook in my messenger bag, my car and two or three rooms throughout the house, including the bathroom. Many writer's keep a notebook by their bed as well for those late night moments of inspiration.
* television/films. Watch Television, films and documentaries with a notebook in your hand. If a scene, show, character or theme catches your attention, write down your thoughts right away. You don't need to formulate anything, but it's important to capture your immediate thoughts and emotions.
* people watching. Go to a park, a mall, a train station, a school, a church; anywhere where there are people and just watch and listen. If no one catches your interest, describe the setting you're in. People and animals are interesting to look at and often say interesting things. Turn what you see into a poem, a short story or a commentary.
*music. I like to listen to music while I'm writing, but some folks find this distracting. Either way, listen to music actively. Write down moods, words and images that come to mind. Refer to these later.
*brainstorm/wordstorm/phrasestorm/quotestorm. As part of free writing, try word association. Take a word from as dictionary and force yourself to write about it (choose a random one and preferably one you don't normally use), take a quote or phrase from a conversation you've had or a film you've seen or a song you've heard and expand on it. Pontificate on the different meanings and nuances of that phrase or word.
*dreams. Keep a dream journal. After you've had a dream, any dream, write down everything you remember, from a summary to the dream, to any moods and/or images you had during the dream and any possible meanings of the dream. Many poems and works of fiction are based on dreams. It's important to document them and file them away.
Schedule it
Let's face it. Life is busy and most of us aren't professional writers. Most of us have jobs and children, school and spouses that can occupy all of our time. If writing is a hobby, it's easy to not do it. That's why you need to schedule it. Find a time when you can be alone, or at least in a creative space, and put it on your schedule and do it consistently. Treat like you would a job, even if you can't put the same amount of time into it as you do a job. if you schedule it, you'll do it. If you wait for inspiration, you may never write again.
Find a time that flows with the natural creative rhythms of your body and schedule that as your writing time. For me, that's after my wife goes to bed, around 10:30 pm. What is it for you?
Sacrifice
it's like the adage that it takes money to make money. What are you willing to give up or cut back on in order to have the time to write? For me, I had to give up the idea of a music career (and I discuss this in my poem Flailing Empty Capillaries) because I decided writing was a better, more satisfying opportunity creatively and financially. What are you willing to give up or cut back on? A trip to the gym? Ladies night? Television? Sleep? I'm one of the fortunate people that doesn't need a lot of sleep. If I go to bed at 2 am (and I do) my body will wake me up by 8:30. I didn't have to sacrifice sleep, but, often, late night is the best time to write. Are you willing to give up an hour of sleep for an hour of writing?
In closing
I could and probably will do another hub with more pointers, but this is enough to get you started and I hope you find this tips very helpful.
Best wishes to you as you work towards being a more productive writer.
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CommentsLoading...
Thanks for creating this inspirational hub. I am a beginner when it comes to writing and this hub really helps. I'll have to invest in Stephen King's "On Writing" but until then I have "Writing Fiction For Dummies" by Randy Ingermanson and Peter Economy.
I'm glad you agree, Nils and I'm glad you found these tips helpful! Nice seeing u!
Nice one mate, most of it already in operation, but encouraging to know I'm on the right track.
That notebook by the way, is crucial, it helped me to take the step to getting published in mags.
Thank you so much, Kingmaxler. Those are kind words!
Another great hub. Thank you. You write eloquently and your content is pleasing to read. I will be reading more of your inspiring works.
onlooker... you're welcome. I'm glad you found this useful!
very useful indeed. I certainly need the inspiration. Thank you!
ama... it is doable :-) You just have to do it. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Victoria... ti is hard... it takes me months to finish a book now, when it used to take days. But, being in school forces me to have to (get to?) read, so, it all works out :-)
Barbara, sometimes you have to make your own. Fortunately, inspiration can be found anywhere!
awed... so much to take in and it all seems to be doable. thank you. great hub! up and all 5.
Great tips! It's true that sometimes we just have to write non-stop to get something on paper. That's a good one. I'm amazed you find so much time to read. I count my reading as reading other hubbers' hubs! :-) Great hub here. Voted up and several other things! Awesome! Sharing!
I wait for the inspiration. No wonder I don't get more finished. Thanks.
you're very welcome, dorothy
Thank you.
bron, no worries. I'm glad yous topped by and thanks again for reading and commenting!
Sorry I couldn't find/remember who shared this hub. But I'm glad they did! I'll be more alert next time! Thanks for posting.
Thanks Jlava. Scheduling time is important... especially if you want to make a living at it. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Excellent tips! I particularly like your reccomendation on scheduling time to write. I think that is what keeps me from being as prolific as I should be. Thanks for Sharing!
Thanks Turtle. it take reading... and reading good material... to really understand good writing. Plus, it's relaxing and exercises the mind. I highly recommend it Thanks for stopping by
Claudia... if you don't like sitting in front of a computer, then don't. Walk around. be in nature. be in public. Carry a notebook. Write things down, and then, set aside a time to write and take those ideas and turn them into something fabulous. Thanks for stopping by!
LOL.. just find your writing rhythm. your body will tell you when it's ready and willing to write.
Thanks Cindi. Just remember, like I told Jeannine, give it up for a time and you'll be able to return to it with gusto!
Shasta... thanks. It's really just an issue of getting organized and prioritizing. You have to treat like a job, whether that's full time or part time
My Minds Eye, I hope you feel better soon! I was definitely more adhd when I was a kid. I actually find it easier to write when I'm sick... helps take my mind off the fact that i'm sick. If that doesn't work, i just watch the director's cut of all three Lord of the Rings movies, the rocky series and star wars.
Thanks LORD. Like Adrian Monk used to say. It's a blessing... and a curse"
Thanks Jlava
Wow, thanks Rob. That's quite the compliment. I'd be happy to link your hub here if you ever get around to writing it!
Kimmie... thanks you and you're welcome and... hey... stop looking in my window
Jeanine, one way to look at it is, if you sacrifice now, it'll pay off later. Work really hard and ghet a steady flow of income and a good pattern of writing down, and you can pick those hobbies back up!
Great tips, especially the need to read more. I don't read as much as I used to anymore, but now I will try to find the time to do that! I definitely want to improve my writing skill. Thanks again.
Interesting ideas, I appreciate your viewpoint on writing as well as your suggestions.
What I have identified as my number one obstacle for becoming a more productive writer is that I just don’t feel like sitting in front of my computer, being isolated from the rest of the world and sacrificing real human contact for long periods of time, day after day. I enjoy writing but I don’t like doing it all the time.
Another thing I’ve observed is that happy days trigger more writing creativity in me. On the contrary, when I am feeling down or am in an apathetic mood, I just can’t bring myself to write anything.
I wish I needed only a few hours of sleep! I could ideally write until 2 am, but my brain normally shuts down by 10pm. Stupid brain. Anyway, shared and voted up.
Great hub! You also made me think of how I love to paint and draw, but I'm sacrificing that career to do an online writing one. I can still feel fulfilled creatively, but it's a lot easier to make a living as an online writer than it is to be a full time artist (and becoming a full time writer isn't easy!). Great hub! Voted up and socially SHARED.
Great pointers here - reading and scheduling writing time are both very important, as well as all of the other things you mentioned.
Hi PDX, nice to meet another ADDer. I lean toward ADHD though. The only time I really have a tough time writing is when I am sick. I have been sick since before Christmas and I think I have written only one HUB. Bur once I get over this I will be back.
Good Hub, voted up and will share.
I hear ya! PDX!
You are allmover with that ADD fantastic tool. Hyper activating your inspiration to keep up with your need of more creativity. Thanks for taking the time in writing this gem.
LORD
Excellent Advice! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reminding us about this. Wow. what can I say! Your hub says it all. I tried to write my own but I guess yours is just jaw-dropping. Bravo, I'm a fan! Worth sharing especially to my friends. I have to agree, you have to read more. :)
Hello Justin,
This is one of your best hubs. So much great information. I tend to be a "watcher" always looking at everything for something..usually there is a story waiting. Thank you so much for sharing this great advice. Up all the way!
Sunnie
It is so difficult finding enough time to write. Believe it or not, I am still never satisfied with the amount of hubs I churn out per week. I wish I could write a hub a day. Stupid, pesky full time job! It ruins my writing time. :-)
I understand what you mean about sacrifice. I used to really enjoy drawing, painting, and other crafty fun hobbies. Now I write during all of my free time. Sigh. Sometimes I miss it.
This is a very useful hub and voted up!!!
Thanks, Editor. I'm not the only one that teaches this. Every book I've read on writing tells me the same thing! Thanks for reading, commenting and following!
Napetv, that's the nature of ADD. I don't medicate anymore because I actually thrive with the ADD. It's good that you're self aware and hopefully some of these tips will prove helpful to you!
Thanks for the super writing tips. I'm always telling my kids,if they want to improve their English, they must read more. Like you, I'm a firm believer the reading broadens your horizons and helps you to develop a unique writing style.
Writing with ADD is hit or miss with me. When I am in a good mood, Adderall working, high octane focus--I can be prolific for 10 hours a day.
A bad day for me mentally is like walking through sand with sunglasses on. I am struggling to get through the day. This happens maybe twice a month, no biggie.
But when I am completely focused, I feel like a writing machine with the soul of a troubadour.
Lissie, jut like learning to talk, you cannot learn how to write without being immersed in a world of literature. reading is essential. never feel guilty!
Scent, you're welcome. It's important to be honest!
Thanks for the tip about the necessity to read - I won't feel guilty now when I take time out to read! I have so much to learn about writing. Thanks for all your tips. Very helpful.
thank you for your honesty and advice!
Thanks for reading, Sharyn. I'm glad you found this useful. I actually don't necessarily schedule the time I will work, but how much time. It keeps me fluid and allows me some flexibility. I hope you find a system that works for you!
Very well written with great ideas Justin. One thing I realize I need to do for sure is to 'schedule it' - I have to make the time to write and not sway from that. I must not talk on the phone, log off of Facebook,etc., and truly commit a set time for my writing. Thank you for sharing this inspirational piece.
Sharyn
Les Trois, for me, the research is the fun part and, to save on that feeling you're describing, I tend to write as I'm researching. it makes it less tedious. youc an always come back to it later and revise and reword. I did that a lot with this hub in particular: http://pdxkaraokeguy.hubpages.com/_3gvrkbouobv74/h
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
Tams, I've had that problem myself. If you'll notice, my hubs have a wide variety of topics. You could try starting a few different websites and blogs and cater each to one idea, or find a way to make all creatively coexist. Thanks for reading and commenting and best wishes to you!
gregoriom, thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed this!
SUSAN, THAT'S THE key. just write. something will break free :-)
I have tons of inspiration but tend to lose interest when it comes to what I think of as the hard work. I decide to write about chocolate, get the pics fill in the headlines but don't actually want to do too much 'work' on getting the history / geography / manufacture etc researched and pulled together. It's called being lazy. Clearly you're not!
Great information! I think my issue is I have too many ideas and experiences to write about. It seems I have no absolute direction. I write for enjoyment, self-therapy, awareness, etc. It's hard to gain a following when you're so random. Sometimes I turn the voice recorder on my phone and tell myself what I'm thinking then later write about it. Thanks for sharing.
Great tips. Great hub. Excellent content.
Excellent tips. I am forever writing ideas down. Some days I don't feel that creative enough to write, but still try to force myself to write something, even though no one sees it.
Thansk Apostacy. I'm glad you found thsi helpful!
Terrific article, thanks for the advice!
Thanks Debby. As a teacher, getting people to think and evaluate is important to me. Thanks for readeing and I'm glad you found this useful!
Hi Justin ~ Nicely organized category of disciplined methods to keep you writing, inspired, and sharpening your skills and creativity. Congratulations that so many people have participated in your poll question. You've got people thinking! Debby
Thank you Moa. I'm glad you found this helpful. i feel this tips can help writers of all ages, skill levels and genres. I'm glad it helped you. Thanks for reading and commenting!
HI. This is an awesome and detailed piece with excellent and essential tips for beginning writers and we who have fallen away and..are coming back!. Discipline and time will help me immensely. Thanks for this great contribution. It goes into my favs!
cindy, you're welcome!
Thanks, Justin!
Cindy, I encourage you to buy the Book The Productive Writer, linked to above. You'll find greater ways to manage your time. Very helpful. Thanks for reading :-)
Thanks Jackie. I'm pleased you found this useful. Reading is important and under utilized for sure!
This is another good one. You have mentioned great tips here. I wish there was more time to get all these things done. I feel like I am attacking my life with gusto and could not squeeze anymore into it! Just need more time.
That reading really is important and it shows everyone what is good before they start writing to compare theirs to, I think. Very important tips!
Thanks Credence. There are plenty of medicore writers. The great ones are the one's that stand out. I hope you found this useful!
Thanks for the tips, PDX. We are all trying to learn the difference between a great writer and a mediocre one.
Thanks That grrl. I appreciate your comment. I certainly don't think i made a mistake and I've always spelled it 'everyday" and spell check has never informed me that it was an error. Neither has the MLA handbook. I appreciate your read, handbook and follow. Have a nice evening!
I like your hub and your ideas. I've written about some of them myself. Did you know there is a difference between 'every day' and 'everyday'? (Just letting you know cause a mistake really stands out when you have the word highlighted).
I'm glad you've found this to be true as well. Thanks for stopping by!
I'd concur with all you wrote. Truly to be a prolific writer you must be a voracious reader of books, magazines etc
Thanks YT and Freelance. I appreciate your comments and I'm glad you found this useful!
Great tips. Reading sharpens one's writing skills.
PDX, excellent hub full of wonderful advice and tips and encouragement. I completely agree with the idea of carrying a notebook around or having one on hand for those moments of note taking because you never know when you'll walk into a moment of life writing inspiration. Thumbs up.
Trish, I'm glad you found this HUB useful. It sounds like you have some negative self talk and self fulfilling prophecies to overcome. I wish you the best in your quest, my friend!
I love this hub. It is a good wake-up call for me, as I've been MIA for several months, in terms of writing. I do pop in every day just to check on things. I've tried many of the things you suggest, but for whatever reason, don't follow up. I've stopped jotting down thoughts. The small collection I have of those I truly need to resurrect.
I actually do have free time most nights, but by the time I get home the last thing I want to do is put on my thinking cap. An excuse, I'm sure :)
As far as reading, I use my lunch hour and sometimes breaks to do that, since I have found that when I read at night, I'm asleep after four or five pages. There was a time I could read a book from cover to cover in one sitting, no matter how long it took.
I don't know why I've convinced myself that I am uninspired. On my drive home from work every day I listen to my favorite talk show, and they come up with so many thought-provoking topics. I think to myself, oh, I could write/expand on that train of thought, but by the time I get home, I let that thought go by the wayside. It seems as though I'm my own worst enemy.
I've written this line down. If you wait for inspiration, you may never write again. Now that's a wake-up call if I've ever heard one :) I'll see how it plays out.
missolive, one way I try to read is using public transportation. It's so important. I hope you're able to find the time.
htodd, I'm glad you enjoyed this. By the way, are you the one who published on HULU? I'm trying to lay out my cover right now. did you have issues? it seems difficult. PM me if you're the right person!
Thanks for the great post..awesome
Very nice Justin. You have listed very relevant points here. I really wish I had more time for leisure reading. It is just so difficult to do so during the school year. However, reading does always inspire me to create and write. I'm bookmarking for future reference.
voted up
Ruby, use my tips on finding inspiration and I assure you that problem will end!
Gypsy, I'm glad I could help and be inspiring. Good luck in your future writing endeavors!
Susan, I'm glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for the promotion!
Wonderful hub!! I am cross linking it with my "Attaining the Perfect Writing Setting." ;-) UP and across!!
One awesome hub and great tips. Voted up. You have inspired me not to give up the ship and I do read a lot and get info for some of my hubs from the local library. Glad you mentioned Steven King love his novels.
Great advice..Right now i'm having that dreaded lack of inspiration, but it will pass..Thank's for sharing...
sue, me too. I feel naked without it!
Hi PDX
Great tips. I carry a note book with me.
Voted up and away!
Have a good weekend.
misguided, being willing and able to expand your skills is a great way to improve as a writer. you're certainly on the right track. I'm glad you found this useful and thanks for taking the time to comment!
alocsin, that's a not uncommon problem to have. That's where having a journal or notebook comes in handy!
frank, my wife gets upset if I call myself a house husband because I'm more then that. It's just one part part of me :=) Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
story teller, sorry to hear that your dog is feeling well. That touches my heart, as a doggy dad. Thanks for reading an commenting. I'm glad you found this useful!
Joshua, thank you. I do feel everyone has it in them to be a writer. it's just harnessing that creative energy that can be difficult!
Audrey, thanks!
Perd, let me know how you enjoy it and how helpful you find it. I'm glad you enjoyed my hub. Thanks for reading and commenting!
angela, that's a great idea. Thanks for sharing and for reading and commenting!
Great tips. Another suggestion for fiction writing: I often find a phrase that interests me or I think I can take somewhere and that starts a story. Strange method for sure but it does work for me. Excellent Hub and wonderful information. Thanks so much. Voted UP. Best, Sis
Thanks for all the tips! Maybe I will get more ideas for my hubs if I do some of the things you suggested. I am an avid Stephen King fan-just finished 11/22/63-a great book! I have "On Writing" and just took it off the shelf. It was the only one of his books I could not get into at the time. Perhaps I will enjoy it now! Thanks.
Great advice Justin!
Great tips and ideas - more people have it in them, they just lack the inspiration and confidence.
I loved On Writing by King, too! I thought the ending was a bit disconcerting, following his accident. It wandered, which represents where he was in his healing brain. But the very last chapter, in my recollection, brought it all together. I think it is about the best book on writing I have read to date.
What keeps me from writing constantly are body aches! I get stagnation aches like now. I need to walk my dog, but he is suffering from some stomach ailment that I cannot afford to have looked at by a vet. So I am praying and sending him reiki and hoping it is not is not is not bloat!
Thank you again for your extreme kindness following my Ham Muus hub. If he hated it and is not responding or if he was embarassed, well, that would make me so sad. I choose for now to believe he is NOT in a hospital or dead, but busy or the letter is lost in the mail.
PDX what a good useful share.. and whats more you're a house-husband.. yeah good for you bless you man :) Frank
You've pointed out some fertile sources for writing. For me, the problem is having too many ideas and not enough time to write them all. Voting this Up and Interesting.
This was extremely helpful! Loved your tips. I am always looking for new views and ways to expand my writing ability, as any writer should. This was definitely useful. Thanks
DIMIR, so many books I started in high school that i didn't finish til later and/or still haven't finished. I've actually never read the book all the way through. I'm glad you found these tips helpful.
Tammy, I would file "taking care of kids" under "Not enough time". Since I don't want or have kids, they are not on my radar. I'm glad this inspired you. The world needs you to be more prolific!
LaBrashear, no need to feel guilty. Just get better. reading is a very underrated aspect of being a writer.
Anj, even though this hub was directed at those who want to be more prolific, I feel like these tips can help any writer. I'm pleased you were able to glean some helpfulness from this!
Cyndi, that's a good point, but I put that int he category of not editing yourself. Proofing and editing is a hub all on it's own :-) Which tip did you find most useful?
Nurse, that;s not all my secrets, but it's certainly a glimpse :-)
Vinaya, I think you're pretty prolific. it does seem easier when you can publish online to be prolific. what did you write newspaper articles on?
Vocalcoach, I'm glad you found this useful and it seems you and I write on the same rhythms. I've always been a night owl. My brain doesnt even really start working until 10 or 10:30 in the am. I'm a very slow starter. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Excellent hub and better than chocolate! Your tip " I don't care if you write for an hour and it's not publishable, you're still a better writer for having written" is just terrific. I have gained so much insight reading and absorbing your suggestions.
Thanks for being willing to share your knowledge with all of us. I, too do my writing around 10:30 PM when it's nice and quiet around here. I will be a better writer after reading and bookmarking this.
vocalcoach~
It took almost ten years to write 500 newspaper articles, but when I began writing online, exactly a year ago, I published 100 online articles in 2011. Am I prolific?
I think time management is hardest part of being more prolific. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Great tips! Learned so much from this hub. (So those are your secrets! :D )
There were great tips here. You are extremely prolific so it's good to get pointers from you. Some of your tips come easily, some have to be worked on. I would also add "don't spend so much time on rewrites. Find a good proofing method and move on." I'm guilty of this one. Thank you for sharing.
this is one useful hub. even if i am not dreaming of being a prolific writer. i am just filling the need to write everyday (journal actually!) but there are ways to get better at it. i mean formulating thoughts, getting ideas, exploring on ideas and putting them into words.
Lots of great tips. I love On Writing. I agree - reading is as important as writing. I must admit, I'm guilty of not finding the time. It is a resolution I'm working on! :) Thanks for sharing!
Fabulous tips. No one does it better than Stephen King! I chose "something else".. You didn't have a raising little kids button for us stay at home moms! Well done and this will help me be more prolific and inspired!
Great tips, also I equally recommend Stephen King's "On Writing" because it is so well done. In high school, the first writing class I took, we read that book. I didn't finish it (that time) because the principal heard the word "damn" in it. But an awesome book for any writer and great tips!
PDXKaraokeGuy Hub Author 2 months ago
nyu... thanks for stopping by. I'll have to check out that book. Let me know how you like Stephen King's!