Author Kim Hillman offers 13 great tips for writers. Some may seem obvious, but they all make sense!
Have you ever sat down to write and found that you just couldn't get those first few words on the page? This is something that every author struggles with at some time. But, there are some things you can do to help your creative process. Here are 13 ideas that will help you write your best every time.
1) Write when you're alert and not tired. If you're too tired, your mind will shut down and you won't be able to think clearly. Everyone has their best "time" to write. Some authors are morning people, others are night owls. Whenever you feel the most awake and alert, that is your best time to write.
2) Eat Something. It's difficult to concentrate when your stomach is growling.
3) Use the bathroom before you sit down to write. Enough said.
4) Clear your mind. You can't write when you've got something else on your mind. If there is something that is bothering you, take care of it first, and then write.
5) Write when the mood strikes. While you can't always afford to wait for the mood to strike you, when it does by all means take advantage of it!
6) Write when or where it's quiet. Noise and disruption will destroy your concentration. Wait until the house is quiet, or go to a quiet place to write.
7) Go somewhere beautiful. Sometimes it helps to get out of the house or away from the office. Go to a park or beach, or somewhere peaceful and beautiful such as a garden. A change of setting will do wonders for your creativity.
8) Play classical music. Classical music is known for stimulating the brain. Try playing a little Vivaldi softly in the background if you're writing in a whimsical style. Or, perhaps Mozart if you're writing about something intense. This technique works well for non-fiction as well as fiction writing. Non-fiction writing has different styles and moods, just as fiction does.
9) Get some exercise. This doesn't have to be any kind of planned or daily exercise. You might just walk to the grocery store or take the dog for a walk. You could even put on some music and dance to it. The point is to get your body moving. This will make you feel energized and will help your thinking process.
10) Drink caffeine. This isn't something you should do in order to stay awake to write. Rather, use it to perk you up during the day - as an energy booster. But, don't over do it. Small amounts work best!
11) Get organized. Make sure you have everything you need in front of you - note, interviews, etc. so that you don't have to interrupt your writing to go and find these things.
12) Unplug the phone and turn off your cell phone. You can't write your best when you're interrupted.
13) Take care of yourself. This is the most important. Make sure you eat healthy food and get enough rest. You can't write your best when your tired or sick. Pamper yourself once in a while too! It helps to clear your mind and ease stress.
Now go forth and write your best!
Copyright 2009 Kim Hillman
Six time author Kim Hillman publishes the Writing For Riches With Booklets blog. If you're ready to jump-start your writing career, make more money and enjoy the success you've been dreaming of, get your FREE tips now at http://www.kimhillman.wordpress.com
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Google Almighty?
I'm not sure this is because of the Almighty Google or not, but I just looked at my web site and much to my surprise, there are various words throughout that are now underlined, becoming links to various other sites.
What I do know is this - I didn't go through and underline the words, of which some are useful links and others not so much. Has anyone else had this experience? It would be nice to know who's providing the links.
What I do know is this - I didn't go through and underline the words, of which some are useful links and others not so much. Has anyone else had this experience? It would be nice to know who's providing the links.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
You Never Know Who Is Reading Your Book
I was in the bank on Friday, not one of the first places you would think of to talk about writing. I was chatting with a personal banker and the topic of my being a writer came up. I mentioned that I’d written Hollywood and Catholic Women to which the banker responded that she thought her niece had read the book and even better, really liked it.
I didn’t initially believe the banker (her name was Consuelo) simply because Hollywood and Catholic Women is more of a textbook targeted toward women’s studies programs than a book for leisure reading. But Consuelo proved me wrong when she began naming films from the book, then explained he niece had gotten the book from a teacher.
Naturally, I was thrilled and told Consuelo that if her niece still had the copy, I’d be happy to autograph it for her. So a 10-minute conversation taught me a lot. First, you never know who you’ll talk to that has read your book or as in this case, knows of your work through a family member or friend. Second, because number one often comes as a surprise, always be polite and courteous. And third, show your appreciation when someone admires your work.
For my part, I’ll be sure and follow through on my promise to Consuelo’s niece. If that gives her two copies of the book she can keep the personally autographed one for herself and pass the other on to someone else who just might enjoy it as much as she did.
I didn’t initially believe the banker (her name was Consuelo) simply because Hollywood and Catholic Women is more of a textbook targeted toward women’s studies programs than a book for leisure reading. But Consuelo proved me wrong when she began naming films from the book, then explained he niece had gotten the book from a teacher.
Naturally, I was thrilled and told Consuelo that if her niece still had the copy, I’d be happy to autograph it for her. So a 10-minute conversation taught me a lot. First, you never know who you’ll talk to that has read your book or as in this case, knows of your work through a family member or friend. Second, because number one often comes as a surprise, always be polite and courteous. And third, show your appreciation when someone admires your work.
For my part, I’ll be sure and follow through on my promise to Consuelo’s niece. If that gives her two copies of the book she can keep the personally autographed one for herself and pass the other on to someone else who just might enjoy it as much as she did.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Hollywood Role Reversal
The Proposal starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds reverse long-standing roles often seen in Hollywood romantic comedies. Instead of a much older male star (Clint Eastwood and Renee Russo, Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt, Cary Grant and Grace Kelly – or just about any of Kelly’s leading men) and a starlet, it’s Bullock who’s older and the high powered boss to Reynolds put-upon executive assistant. And it works just fine (the film opened last weekend to $34 million plus).
It also takes place in the publishing industry, as Bullock’s tough editor-in-chief cajoles and soothes jittery authors, getting them to promote their books by appearing on Oprah. Reynolds highly organized assistant Andrew Paxton is really a writer who works for Bullock’s Margaret Tate and puts up with her grief just so he can someday get her to read the manuscript of his novel. In order to keep her Visa status in the U.S. and avoid deportation back to Canada, Margaret persuades Andrew to marry her. With some conditions of his own and the government investigating the charade, the two are forced to travel to Alaska and spend a long weekend with his family.
Hollywood would do well to remember that women have a lot of money to spend on movies and that actresses don’t just fade away at forty.
Fun ironic fact – in real life it’s Reynolds who hails from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
It also takes place in the publishing industry, as Bullock’s tough editor-in-chief cajoles and soothes jittery authors, getting them to promote their books by appearing on Oprah. Reynolds highly organized assistant Andrew Paxton is really a writer who works for Bullock’s Margaret Tate and puts up with her grief just so he can someday get her to read the manuscript of his novel. In order to keep her Visa status in the U.S. and avoid deportation back to Canada, Margaret persuades Andrew to marry her. With some conditions of his own and the government investigating the charade, the two are forced to travel to Alaska and spend a long weekend with his family.
Hollywood would do well to remember that women have a lot of money to spend on movies and that actresses don’t just fade away at forty.
Fun ironic fact – in real life it’s Reynolds who hails from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Deaths Really Do Come In Three's
Michael Jackson has died, making it three celebrity deaths in one week. Farrah Fawcett died of cancer earlier today and Ed McMahon died on Tuesday.
No writer could make this up, especially Jackson's demise. The LA Times is still reporting he stopped breathing and was rushed to the hospital at 12:30 Pacific Time.
LA Times now reporting Jackson being hospitalized. Having just missed these, People magazine will be furious.
What a day.
No writer could make this up, especially Jackson's demise. The LA Times is still reporting he stopped breathing and was rushed to the hospital at 12:30 Pacific Time.
LA Times now reporting Jackson being hospitalized. Having just missed these, People magazine will be furious.
What a day.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Kiva: Changing the World One Loan at a Time
This last week I came across a unique opportunity to lend money in the form of microloans of as little as $25.00. In June the San Francisco-based Kiva (a 501(c) (3) nonprofit) began funding entrepreneurs in the United States, in addition to those they already help fund across the world.
Kiva’s simple mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. It is the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowered individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs around the world.
In my first foray into micro-lending, I provided two micro-loans of $25.00 each to women of color looking to fund beauty shops in their neighborhoods. Kiva will provide updates on the entrepreneur’s progress in paying back the loans and growing their business. Once that’s done, I can reinvest my funds in other businesses of interest.
With a default rate of only 1.5% covering $37 million dollars in completed loans, this is an investment I look forward to expanding.
Kiva’s simple mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. It is the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowered individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs around the world.
In my first foray into micro-lending, I provided two micro-loans of $25.00 each to women of color looking to fund beauty shops in their neighborhoods. Kiva will provide updates on the entrepreneur’s progress in paying back the loans and growing their business. Once that’s done, I can reinvest my funds in other businesses of interest.
With a default rate of only 1.5% covering $37 million dollars in completed loans, this is an investment I look forward to expanding.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Grandma Loves Texting
This is not something I thought I would see – my mother discovering and loving texting. I mean, we don’t even text (isn’t that what e-mail is for?), arguing that phoning someone is faster and easier. Perhaps not.
Mom just bought a new phone with a keyboard and loves texting her many grandkids. At a very active 74, she’s more tech savvy than most, still, texting? She’s hooked and promises to teach both my husband and I the finer points of texting when she visits in July. If anything, this proves you cannot hide from new technology.
Mom just bought a new phone with a keyboard and loves texting her many grandkids. At a very active 74, she’s more tech savvy than most, still, texting? She’s hooked and promises to teach both my husband and I the finer points of texting when she visits in July. If anything, this proves you cannot hide from new technology.
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