How To Develop A Mind Set For Writing

by Monika Mundell @ The Writers Manifesto

Writers have a particular mind set. Some say it is creative, others say it’s natural. I tend to agree with both. However, a love for writing can also be acquired with practice. If we want to write well, we need preparation. Writing isn’t a simple exercise, where we grab a pen and write with conviction. Often the action of writing is precluded by thinking, planning, strategics, basically getting us into the right writer’s mind set.

After all, a novelist doesn’t just write a book. He first coins the story in his head before he goes about writing it down. Bloggers do the same. If you write into a diary, you think about your day before you put pen to paper. As you can see, all mentioned scenarios require up front planning.

A writer’s mind set – research your subject

Without a subject and a steely frame of mind you will most likely be distracted while you write. If you want to write better with more ease, it is advisable to research your subject up front. Doing this will give you the added benefit of speed while you work as well as helping with your writer’s mind set.

Research alone doesn’t do the job though. It helps to have your research clippings ready in one place before you start.

I’ve noticed, writing distraction is higher for me if I don’t organize myself upfront, before I start writing. If I have to search the web and organize clippings on the go, I’m most likely to be sidetracked while I write, which doesn’t help my writer’s mind set.

Atmosphere – hell or heaven – you have choices

If you have ever tried to write in a crazy and chaotic environment, I’m sure it didn’t take long before you exclaimed your frustration. Why do you think many writing workshops are held in the Tuscany, Greece, or some other relaxed location. There, you guessed right.

It’s all about chilling out before or while you dig into your muse.

Unfortunately most of us can’t just jump on a plane and fly into eternal sunshine to discover our muse whenever we feel the need. Some of us have families to feed, dogs to walk, kids to entertain, birds to cuddle, [...].

For us, creating a relaxed atmosphere to tap into our writer’s mind set is more important than you think.

To acquire this you could play your favorite chill-out music, sit in the garden with your laptop, meditate before you write, go for a walk to calm your mind or even drink one (note one) glass of wine.

Frantic mind = chaos

The best way to avoid chaos is to start the day on the right foot. We need to find as many working solutions as possible to avoid chaos. By far the best way to do this is to get organized. Workspace, computer, house need to be clean. I work much better when I don’t have to worry about cleaning up or organizing files.

By engaging in small activity bursts throughout the day we can keep on top of this quite effortlessly. The hardest bit is to get down and dirty to get started and declare war on the chaos that throws us out of balance at home.

Claim your space

Writers need their own space. I do. I’m actually a sucker for claiming my space. Whether this used to be at my old job, at home in my mobile office, in the coffee shop or even at the airport.

I’m not sure how you feel about this, but there is a sense of control and protection in claiming our own little space wherever we go on regular occasions.

Having your own space at home will also be beneficial for your writing mind set. The whole process of preparing oneself to sit down and write is like a mini meditation. Great for the mind.

Read those books, magazines and quotes

Reading is fantastic to get us in the right mood – for writing. I get inspired whenever I read. Regardless of the topic, I find new words, structures, ideas and inspiration. In short, reading keeps my mind fresh.

Quotes are also a great motivating force, helping to put us in the right frame of mind.

You can also read online. While I love reading other blogs and websites, I can’t relax like as if I was reading a book. You might be different though.

Surround yourself with your beloved toys

Now, before you go all rebellious on me consider this. Toys, gadgets, things all serve one purpose – to make us happier. It doesn’t always work though. But, if we surround ourselves with the things we love when we write, we slip into the zone a lot easier.

Toys could be:

• Pictures
• Doodles
• Art
• Music
• Notebooks
• Moleskine
• Pens
• Office tools
• Digital tools
• Paper
• Candles
• Gadgets
• Toys

Sure, some of these have nothing to do with writing but everything with our state of our mind. Hence, the more positive our immediate environment is the better we write.

Writing with the right mind set does take a little trial and error. If you persist though you will feel the difference guaranteed.

Here is to your happy writer s mind set.