Many more people want to write than actually do it. 
Why is that?

Beginners fear to start. Experienced writers clam up, anticipating criticism and failure. The only way to bypass these is to learn to enjoy the process once again.

When we were children, we wrote stories without fuss or worry. We just started and carried on till we reached the end. In the Writers’ Gym we aim to recapture that skill, helping writers to develop stories and find their own writing practise.

Here are ten tips to keep your writing creative:

 

1. Handwrite (Sometimes at least..)

Writing by hand can unblock us in the computer age. Try short writing exercises 10 or 15 minutes without crossing out mistakes or correcting. Keep your hand moving across the page. It helps to cut through the censor. Write about memories, projects, even generate fiction. Your notebook is a place to play and experiment, a place to ruminate, discover and work out your next steps forwards. A healthy notebook makes for a healthy writer.

 

2. Write Regularly

Write often, even for short periods, even if you are not in the mood. Many times an idea can come after you started working. Plan ahead – Look at your diary and mark out the time you can write. Make appointments to write – and keep them. Some great writers were really busy people so that’s no excuse.

 

3. Exercise your mind

Creative exercises are a great warm up. There are some great books with writing exercises. Sometimes, doing these can even generate ideas that have a longer life. Your creative brain needs exercising to stay active. The playfulness generated spills over into you ‘serious’ work too.

 

4. Walk
Writers often walk. You may notice you have more ideas while relaxing. Walk in places you don’t usually walk and let ideas bubble up. Walking is gently rhythmic and stimulates right brain thinking. Notice things around you. When you pay attention to the world around you, it gives you energy.

 

5. Enjoy your solitude

In our society, it’s often seen as negative to spend time alone. But for most writers, time alone really allows them to recharge their batteries. In that time, you can hear the quiet thoughts that you often ignore at your peril.

 

6. Be secretive

Don’t tell too many people about the stories you write until you’re ready. As Stephen King tells us; write the first draft with the door closed. Telling people your story reduces your need to write the story down, dilutes the energy – it might also cramp your style.

 

7. Generate possibilities

If stuck in a story, generate more possibilities that you need – don’t judge them right away, just think of it as a numbers game. At a later session, decide what might be interesting options to explore.

 

8. Be brave

When faced with a creative decision, try to take the brave choice. If you listen to your fear, you will always make your project more boring.

 

9. Write what you’d like to see

The audience is the best judge of your work – so never forget that you are a member of the audience too.

 

10. Write bad ideas

If you can’t think of a good idea, write a bad one and make it better. As Hitchcock said, it’s okay to start with a cliché, just not okay to end with one. 

 

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