Sonya 1The Myth of Writer's Block
December 23rd 2008 02:13
I like Silvia’s no-nonsense approach to writing. He says that for academic writers (and in our case, professional writers), there is no such thing as writer’s block. Unlike poets and novelists, we don’t have to wait for inspiration. We need to just sit down and start writing. This advice helps us freelance writers because sometimes we tend to be too critical of our own work. If we become perfectionists, nothing will ever get written. This book helps writers understand that sometimes “good” is simply “good enough.” We don’t have to write brilliant prose. We just have to get the information to our readers.
The same goes for blogging. Research shows that successful bloggers are not necessarily the best writers. They just write a lot! As a result, their work shows up on more search engines. As a result, they have more readers. As a result, they get more ad clicks. See how it works?
Here are some of the tips Silvia gives for how to write a lot:
1. Just sit down and start writing. Don’t make excuses, and don’t wait for just the right moment. Just as you brush your teeth every day, sit down and write every day.
2. Set a schedule and stick to it. Set writing goals for yourself. After reading this book, I have decided to try to write at least 500 words a day. The words can be in a blog, in an article, or even in an email. But I need to get 500 words out of my head and onto the computer each and every day. This is a realistic goal, and it will keep me in the habit of writing.
3. Write a lot, write often. Don’t focus on writing well. Instead, focus on the task of writing. You can always go back and revise later. Sometimes the hardest part is getting the words out in the first place. So just start writing.
This book is only about 150 pages long, but it is packed with practical, no-nonsense advice. I recommend it for anyone who struggles with writing.
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