Summer Reprise Series #5: It doesn’t matter what you write . . . PRO

Summer Reprise Series #5: It doesn’t matter what you write . . . PRO

First published March 3, 2015

This is the first three blogs on what you should be writing. What follows the ellipsis in the title is “. . . as long as you’re writing something.” This week I’ll discuss why this statement is true. I’ll take the opposite side of the argument in the next Summer Reprise blog. Two Summer Reprise blogs from now, I’ll present my conclusions.

Off we go!

Writing is a linear process that forces your brain to look for connections. Your brain sometimes stops looking for connections when it finds the first one. However, it frequently finds several possible connections and offers those as options for connecting pieces of information—whether you’re writing a story or an article.

You, as an author, have control over which of the proffered connections between pieces of information you wish to use. You might try one connection and find it does not lead to the next story arc or conclusion that you want. When that happens, you try another of the proffered options. If you’ve been writing long, you’ve undoubtedly continued this process rejecting and testing iterations of plot lines or conclusions until you found one that suited your mood.

Of course, it’s entirely possible that none of the original connections are headed in the direction your conscious thought wishes to take your story or article. This situation is a form of writer’s block. When this happens to me, I continue to write—in a different genre or on a non-fiction piece. I often find that when I return to my original conundrum a solution is “right there.” Not only is the solution obvious, it’s very likely unrelated to any of the unacceptable iterations rejected.

Your brain is an intriguing neurological amalgamation. It can be bored by similar stimuli over extended time. Adjusting the focus of thinking usually provides an adequate different stimulus to encourage new patterns of thought.

If you’re a writer, writing is what you do. 

• So, write. 
• Write some more. 
• Keep on writing.

If you’re stuck, write. 

• Write some more. 
• Try writing something completely different, then come back. 
• Regardless, keep on writing.

Next blog: It doesn’t matter what you write… CON

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