"Don't die with a book in you!" My friend likes to send me these gentle motivational notes. I think she's been talking to my mother. The truth is that being told to "Write Something!" can provide a good bit of anxiety, even to someone who loves to write. But don't despair! Every journey begins with a single step and every book begins with a single word. Here are a few strategies to help you get started:
1. Write a little something every day. A commentary on the weather, your mood, even how much you hate writing every day is something. You never know where it will lead. I found it personally helpful to purchase a nice leather-bound journal and I hand-write (with a real ink pen, even!) a little bit about what is going on in my life. I may burn it before anyone discovers how crazy I am, or leave it for those who survive me...because it should explain a lot.
2. Write letters. My mom and I have had the best time reading old letters that her father and his brothers exchanged. In this age of social media posts and texts, the art of the letter seems to have been lost. Take five minutes and send a three-paragraph email to an old friend, a neighbor, someone you love. Better yet, get some nice stationery and hand-write a real letter. You'll be so retro-chic!
3. Blog. Are you on a diet? Parenting a wild child? Starting a business? Meditating daily? Your experiences can be helpful to others, so why not share them with the world in a blog? This can help you develop a following and find a direction for your writing. Why look, that's what I'm doing right now!
4. Hire a ghost writer. If you're ready to put your thoughts and ideas together, but still hitting a brick wall, a ghost writer can help you get organized. By strange coincidence, that is also a service I offer. For more information, click the CONTACT link at the top of the page and send me a note. I look forward to hearing from you!
1. Write a little something every day. A commentary on the weather, your mood, even how much you hate writing every day is something. You never know where it will lead. I found it personally helpful to purchase a nice leather-bound journal and I hand-write (with a real ink pen, even!) a little bit about what is going on in my life. I may burn it before anyone discovers how crazy I am, or leave it for those who survive me...because it should explain a lot.
2. Write letters. My mom and I have had the best time reading old letters that her father and his brothers exchanged. In this age of social media posts and texts, the art of the letter seems to have been lost. Take five minutes and send a three-paragraph email to an old friend, a neighbor, someone you love. Better yet, get some nice stationery and hand-write a real letter. You'll be so retro-chic!
3. Blog. Are you on a diet? Parenting a wild child? Starting a business? Meditating daily? Your experiences can be helpful to others, so why not share them with the world in a blog? This can help you develop a following and find a direction for your writing. Why look, that's what I'm doing right now!
4. Hire a ghost writer. If you're ready to put your thoughts and ideas together, but still hitting a brick wall, a ghost writer can help you get organized. By strange coincidence, that is also a service I offer. For more information, click the CONTACT link at the top of the page and send me a note. I look forward to hearing from you!