General Tips
Music:
Find what works best for you. I find that music is a great distraction while writing. Music (like all the arts) is designed to tell you a story, to evoke emotions, and to take you away, which is why it is not good while you are writing. It is hard to create your own story while listening to another. However I do use classical music or meditation sounds while I write.
Write freely:
Writing is freedom, so don't hold yourself back. Let the words flow out of you whenever they can and go back to polish them afterwards. Do what you need to do to allow this to happen. As Stephen King says, "Write with the door closed, edit with the door open." or as Ernest Hemmingway was wont to say, "Write drunk; edit sober." I personally agree with both Mr. King and Mr. Hemmingway, however, I tend to agree more with the spirit of Hemmingway's quote, write free; edit clear, than the literal interpretation.
Find what works best for you. I find that music is a great distraction while writing. Music (like all the arts) is designed to tell you a story, to evoke emotions, and to take you away, which is why it is not good while you are writing. It is hard to create your own story while listening to another. However I do use classical music or meditation sounds while I write.
Write freely:
Writing is freedom, so don't hold yourself back. Let the words flow out of you whenever they can and go back to polish them afterwards. Do what you need to do to allow this to happen. As Stephen King says, "Write with the door closed, edit with the door open." or as Ernest Hemmingway was wont to say, "Write drunk; edit sober." I personally agree with both Mr. King and Mr. Hemmingway, however, I tend to agree more with the spirit of Hemmingway's quote, write free; edit clear, than the literal interpretation.
Resources and Ideas
Goodreads:
Goodreads is a great place to keep track of all of the books you have read or want to read. It also allows you to set reading goals. It is available as an app or online.
www.goodreads.com
Writers Café:
Writers Café is an excellent resource for writers of all levels. It is a great place to review and be reviewed. (It is also a great place to do more reading.)
www.writerscafe.org
Serial Reader:
Serial Reader is a great app for the iPad that allows you to read classic novels in 20 mins a day chunks, making it more manageable. Best of all it is free!
Podcasts:
Writing Excuses
Write to be Read
Goodreads is a great place to keep track of all of the books you have read or want to read. It also allows you to set reading goals. It is available as an app or online.
www.goodreads.com
Writers Café:
Writers Café is an excellent resource for writers of all levels. It is a great place to review and be reviewed. (It is also a great place to do more reading.)
www.writerscafe.org
Serial Reader:
Serial Reader is a great app for the iPad that allows you to read classic novels in 20 mins a day chunks, making it more manageable. Best of all it is free!
Podcasts:
Writing Excuses
Write to be Read
Great Literary Journals
Vulgar
Arc Poetry Magazine
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Arc Poetry Magazine
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