The other day (yesterday), I shared my general frustrations with the internet’s ability to emphasize aesthetics over substance and how this also extends to writing. So, to piggy back off THAT post, I’m going to share some general thoughts and tips I have for simplifying the writing process if you’ve found yourself like me, and overcomplicate EVERYTHING and maybe have begun focusing on the wrong thing when it comes to your creative process. So, let’s go.
Mayhaps, skip the perfect playlist search…
You don’t have to write in dead silence. HOWEVER, maybe consider spending less time picking the perfect ambience video or music and more time…writing…I’m calling myself out here too, I swear. This isn’t a direct attack. Just a thought. Also, silence isn’t the worst thing sometimes. Perhaps give it a try? Let your thoughts be the only thing going on in a room for once.
Words First. Vibes Later.
If you have 20 minutes to write, use 18 of them writing.
Not 12 minutes building ambiance and 6 minutes staring at a blinking cursor.
You do not need:
- A fresh notebook.
- A themed drink.
- A perfect Instagram caption about “slow mornings.”
You need words on a page. That is the only requirement here and we’re gonna HONE IN on that.
Open the document first. Type one ugly or stupid sentence. Momentum is born from action, not aesthetic. I may have to get that tattooed to my forehead because the amount of times I’ve spent picking the perfect font….
Embrace the Ugly Draft
Aesthetic culture has tricked us into thinking even our process should look polished.
But real writing is clunky. It repeats itself sometimes. It says “thing” because you can’t find the right word or whatever code word you put in to signal you don’t know quite what to say in this portion.
It uses too many commas. (Guilty. So so so guilty).
Minimalist writing means allowing your first draft to be deeply unimpressive.
No one takes photos of a messy draft.
Good.
That means you’re probably doing it right.
Set Constraints on Purpose
Try:
- Writing for 15 minutes without stopping.
- Writing 300 words before you’re allowed to adjust your playlist.
- No desk rearranging once you sit down.
- No phone within arm’s reach. This one is so simple and yet, even while I’m writing this, my phone sits right beside me. Clearly I need to say it louder for myself.
Stop Documenting the Process of Writing
When you’re done, just close the laptop or let your computer screen go to sleep. And that’s it. Don’t tell anyone. Don’t take a picture of your space or your draft or ANYTHING. Leave it be. Be proud of yourself and then go take a nap or shower or something. Be happy with yourself. You wrote something, and you don’t have to prove it to anyone.
By the Brooke 