Writing Index
Writers love writing about writing and I’m no different. It does mean that there’s bucket loads of advice out there as people try to bottle alchemy. (Remember all-advice-is-autobiographical)
Starting out
- Idea generation (The-Spark-File is very helpful for this)
- 0th-Draft
- Starting-a-Poem
- Journaling
- Writing-Exercise
- First-Draft
Editing
Getting Your Work into the World
Creative Habits & Attitudes
Tools (Remember the Tools-Dont-Matter)
Resources
Notes mentioning this note
Writing Index
Writers love writing about writing and I’m no different. It does mean that there’s bucket loads of advice out there...
Each Poem Is New
Whenever you start writing a new poem, it is like you have never written a poem before. Each poem is...
Writers Block
It’s hard sometimes, sitting down with nothing to right about. Or feeling you have something to write about but being...
Poetry Resources
Here’s a list of things that have helped me with poetry (as opposed to more general [[Writing-Resources]] or [[Publishing-Resources]].
Creative Routine
You don’t have to be [[Writing-Every-Day]], but having a regular creative routine helps you to create more. It also helps...
Free Writing
One of the most useful tools when starting to write sometmething and one of the simplest. You [[Write-to-a-Timer]], usually for...
Blogging
Because [[Only-Public-Writing-Matters]], one great way of getting it into the world is to create a website and regularly upload blog...
Learn in Public
If you share what you learn in public, you can get feedback and learn faster. It’s a reason why [[Only-Public-Writing-Matters]]....
Not Writing Guilt
It’s easy to beat yourself up about not writing enough. You see others churning out novels while you struggle to...
Red Sky Sessions
A series of [[Writing-Workshop]]s run by [[Apples-and-Snakes]]. These are my personal notes from each session and more about what I...
Writing Every Day
I have complicated feelings about the advice that is usually given to writers about writing every day. I wrote a...
Writing from the Subconscious
Whilst we like to think we are in control when we are writing, in reality most of the decisions we...
Language is always a translation of thoughts
Speaking and writing are always incomplete compared to how we think. [[Art-is-communication]] but it is almost always translated from our...
Art doesn't have to be understood
When we talk about art, we often talk about it in terms of meaning and comprehension. But we don’t always...
Use Own Words
Whenever you make notes, make sure to use your own words. This is because [[Writing-is-Thinking]], so by rewriting ideas you...
"Write a challenge to your future self"
When writing a story, you dont have to have all the answers. You can write something that sounds intriguing so...
start-writing-with-no-plan
[[Start-before-you-are-ready]] writing, with no plan. This is especially useful for creative work and writing as once you’ve started writing you...
think-on-paper-first
Because [[Writing-is-Thinking]], in order to [[Slow-Down]] your thoughts, try writing on paper first. [[the-friction-of-handwriting-is-the-point]] as it helps you examine and...
everything is a source
While it is important to [[Control-your-Input-for-Better-Output]], pretty much anything can be a source to create something new. You just have...
Systems Over Tools
[[Tools-Dont-Matter]]. Instead, focus on creating systems that work for you. [[Obsidian]] is a great tool but it isn’t a stand...
source-notes
A catch all place for backlinks from things I’ve read that aren’t [[BookNotes]], [[film-notes]], [[Writing-Workshop]] or [[TV-Show-Notes]]
Journaling Helps You Examine Your Emotions
Because [[Writing-is-a-way-of-externalising-our-thoughts]], if you are [[Journaling]] regularly you can review these thoughts as information and ask yourself questions to help...
It-is-important-to-write-down-your-values
You need to write down your personal values, what you aspire to be and what you think is important. [[notes-are-inputs-for-action]]...
Find strength in vulnerability
True strength is not beating everyone up until they are quiet. Instead, is learning how to be emotionally vulnerable and...
Go deeper with three freewrites
[[Free-Writing]] is useful, but you can also stack them together to go deeper. This is similar to [[Structured-free-writing]].
Lists help to clear out your head
[[Writing-is-a-way-of-externalising-our-thoughts]] of course. One way to get specific is to write long lists. These help you to order your thought...
3 free writes of a moment exercise
Pick an important moment. Do three [[Free-Writing]] of 5 minutes each.
Rhyme train
[[Writing-Exercise]] from [[Mailika-Booker]]. Write a word at the top of the page and set a short timer (2 or 3...
be-honest-in-your-journaling
When [[Journaling]] it is important to be completely honest with what you are writing and not to hold anything back....
write-first-edit-later
When [[Journaling]] or writing creatively, it is important not to edit as you are writing the [[First-Draft]]. You need to...
Make your-own-personal-framework-anna-havron-2024
[[source-notes ]] on this article by [[Anna-Havron]]
Define what is enough for you
We constantly want more and more. We get used to a certain level of comfort then get restless, want more...
Write fast to outrun thought
One way to get over writers block is to write something really fast. [[Write-to-a-Timer]] maybe, or [[Free-Writing]]. This way, you...
Try to write in the style of someone else
Take someone’s else’s work, then try to copy what they do. Write in their style for a little bit. How...
The goal of bullet journaling is self knowledge
The primary goal of using a [[Bullet-journal]] is not to be productive or to increase your output, although these are...
Make the implicit explicit
One of the most useful things you can do whether working in a team is to make assumptions clear and...
Writing is Thinking
Because [[Language-is-always-a-translation-of-thoughts]], the act of writing is a form of thinking. In my creative practice, I do a lot of...
Writing is paying attention
[[Writing-is-a-way-of-externalising-our-thoughts]] of course, but more than that it’s about paying attention to what is going on, whether that is in...
Analyse a surreal collage for meaning
A [[Writing-Exercise]] from [[Danae Younge]]. Take a surreal collage and analyse it for meaning. The point is not to make...
Read three poems and write a response
Pick three poems then write a response to them,[[Free-Writing]] and [[Write-to-a-Timer]].
what do you know and not know exercise
This is [[Writing-Exercise]] that involves research. Pick a topic, preferably one you aren’t that familiar with. Do some [[Free-Writing]] around...
What is an item for Wrong answers only
This is a [[Writing-Exercise]] from [[Monday Night Write club]].
Random Word prompt
Cut out random words and phrases you like from newspapers. Pick one or two out and do some [[Free-Writing]] from...
Rewrite your poem in a new form
[[Writing-Exercise]] from [[Rachel Oates]]. Take a draft of your poem and rewrite it in a new form. How radical can...
Use Madlibs as a way to create unexpected connections
[[Writing-Exercise]] from [[Into the Weird Workshop - Jack Underwood]].
Write down words you overuse as a poet
As writers we tend to come back to the same images and often the same words. Spend five minutes writing...
Write with music
Choose an instrumental piece of music, preferably one you can loop a couple of times. Set a timer for 10...