WRITING PROMPTS

If you're not a professional writer, it's sometimes hard to start writing when you sit down at your desk.

Even professionals have days when it's easier to start than others.

It's important to max out your writing time without just staring at the screen or typing idle notes or jotting down a to-do list…

So you need to prompt your brain to be ready to write.

One of the most common ways to do that is always to finish a session of writing at a stage where you know exactly what comes next, even if that's midway through a paragraph.

When you sit down to start again, you don't have to figure out what to write.

Other routines include journaling or doing some other sort of disposable writing for 10 minutes before turning to a manuscript.

Some writers use physical routines. They put on a particular type of music, sit in a particular place or read a particular poem.

Some light another Marlboro and drink a slug of scotch.

If doesn't matter what your cue to write is – it might not be too healthy if it's a whole bottle of wine each time. It matters that you have a cue.

Your cue tells your mind that it's time to get into writing mode. From there, your mind will usually do the rest.

I use a combination of these techniques, but I also cold fear.

If I don't write, I don't get paid.

That's enough to sharpen anyone’s mind … and their pen.