Writing Requires Self-Control


The only way to become a writer is to write. That requires a great deal of self-control and dedication, not only writing when the urge is upon you, but even when it is not. That requires seeing the words flow onto the blank page or screen.

Force yourself to sit at your desk or in front of your computer screen and write something, anything until the ideas begin to flow, and flow they will. You will soon learn that what you write when the urge is not there will be as good as when the impulse is strong. Later, when you reread what you wrote, you will be unable to tell what was a struggle or what was an inspiration.

Stay before the bare page or empty screen until it is full. One page is not impossible, and once that page is full, you will find that it is easy to fill two pages or more. Write as quickly as you can think. Do not disrupt the flow of ideas and sentences with concern about grammar, syntax, and other rules.

This is not the time to rewrite. Write quickly, ignoring spelling and punctuation. That can be corrected with rewriting as is the use of the dictionary and thesaurus. The important action is to put words to paper or to screen, to explore your thoughts, to brainstorm, if necessary.

More important is the development of self-control, of dedication, of persistence, and of a work habit. All productive writers have acquired this determination.

Charles O. Goulet has a BA in English literature. He has published several books that are available at http://www.Amazon.com, http://www.Amazon.ca, and many other bookstores.


MORE RESOURCES:

Film School Rejects (blog)

'Underworld 4' on the Way With 'Shield' Scribe Writing
Moviefone
According to the Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog, the task of writing the fourth film falls upon John Hlavin, best known as a writer and story editor ...
Underworld 4 being scripted by John HlavinComic Book Movie

all 25 news articles »


Parting Shot: Writing In Alexander for Biletnikoff Award
Kansas City Star
By Mike dearmond - Posted on 20 November 2009 Danario Alexander is not a finalist for the award given annual to college football's best receiver. ...



Analysis: Darwin vs. Genesis, a literary smackdown
Toronto Star
Genesis, it has to be said, is tough to beat as a piece of writing. It contains both the best of the wilderness, emerging over several generations from the ...

and more »


Film School Rejects (blog)

Mike White Writing New Christmas Comedy Called Santa Wars
Fused Film
Paramount and Scott Rudin are teaming together for a new Christmas comedy that will feature battling Santas. ...
School of Rock's Mike White Writing Holiday Comedy Santa WarsFirst Showing (blog)

all 9 news articles »


New York Daily News

Martha Stewart pans Rachael Ray's cooking - and cooking writing
New York Daily News
Stewart told ABC News' Cynthia McFadden that Ray's approach to cooking - and cookbook writing - is "not good enough for me." In her first TV interview since ...

and more »


MTV.com

Lauren Conrad Is Writing A Book On Style
MTV.com
And when Conrad isn't busy writing books or working on the "LA Candy" movie, she is spending her time designing her clothing line, LC Lauren Conrad, ...
Ex-'Hills' star Lauren Conrad is writing a style tips book. Chapter 1: Hire a ...Zap2it.com
Lauren Conrad is writing a style bookThe Skinny

all 35 news articles »


Late mail on writing
The Age
He credits his mother for his love of reading and writing. She bore three sons in three years, and as her belly grew so did a line of Russian novels on her ...

and more »


Mpls. Teams Needs Help Writing Cinderella Story
KSTP.com
An inner-city youth football team that helped revitalize a Minneapolis park now needs the help of the community to write the ending to a true Cinderella ...

and more »


New York Times

Madison Ave. Sees the Writing on the Wall
New York Times
Jim Wilson/The New York Times The British advertising agency Mother will sponsor an exhibit next month in New York of the work of the ...

and more »


Cassidy: Former Silicon Valley CEO settles into the writing life
San Jose Mercury News
Writing is not Raffel's first career. Way back in the 1990s, he started Upshot, a No surprise then that Ian Michaels, the startup executive protagonist of ...

and more »

Google News

Home | Articles Site Map