While I am one hundred percent against any excuse to not write there are certainly time and places that are better for writing for others. For example while you can workout at anytime and anyplace you probably have a certain gym (home or otherwise) where you like working out the most and where when you go into you can just get at it. For someone who wants to make their living as a writer having a dedicated space for writing is essential to producing frequent quality content. As you should be doing on a daily basis.
You should have a separate place, a study where you can read, write, and simply think. Free of distractions and things not related to writing. Have a dedicated space for writing. This space should not be used for anything else. It shouldn’t be used for socializing (unless with other writers/thinkers, not friends and family), not for sex, and not for having fun. It is for writing, reading, and thinking and those things only. To set up a proper environment for writing and writing well everyday in addition to having a room dedicated to the craft do all of the following.
Sacred Space
I hit on this above but I want to elaborate on it here. The place where you write is sacred space dedicated to reading, writing, and thinking. Nothing else. You don’t bring women in there, you don’t entertain guests in there, you don’t do anything other than read, write, and think there. It should be away from others, a place where you can have solitude and peace. Two things that aid greatly in the writing process. A place where you can gather knowledge, filter it, and then bring you insights to others. I can’t stress this enough, this room cannot be used for anything else.
Think of someone who is serious about their martial art. When they are in their dojo or training place they do nothing but train there. They don’t joke around with their buddies, entertain their children (though they may train them there), or catch up on small talk. They focus one hundred percent on their craft when they are in that space. Outside of it they can do as they please but within it and the focus is one hundred percent on their school of fighting. They are there to improve and get work done, nothing more and nothing less. The same applies to your writing space.
Music
I have written to a variety of different music. I have written to face paced rock, outlaw and dark country, classical, and meditation type music. I have found by far that meditation music works the best for me. I could write an article about kicking ass and taking names yet I find that music that matches that mood simply throws me off while meditation music keeps the knowledge flowing onto the page. It helps me get into a writing state and then stay there. I’m not saying I never use other music just that the vast majority of my writing is done with meditation music in the background often at 528 or 852 hz. Not sure if that matters, all I know is that’s what I listen to and it works like a charm.
I’m not the first to recommend music while writing and I won’t be the last. Music does a great job of getting you into the correct mind state for certain things. A faster paced song can get you pumped up before a game or fight, while slower music can improve the quality of your sleep so you sleep deeply and soundly. Music can also help you develop a rhythm to write too. Which helps you keep the flow going and the words pouring out. Find the rhythm and the flow. Use music to aid you in this process. Don’t get me wrong writing isn’t a magical or ethereal thing, it’s about doing the work and putting words on paper, music just helps the process.
Reading And Writing
To be a good writer you have to read a lot. There is no getting around this. Not only does reading negate writer’s block but it also helps to get you brain and mind flowing. Something you read could spark off a chain of thoughts that help you finish that chapter, start a new chapter, or hell even start a new book. Reading is tied to writing. Reading has a myriad of benefits and its essential to developing yourself fully and completely.
Having your library where you write not only makes you do the two things together but provides you a world of resources should you ever struggle with what to write. Another thing if you ever do struggle with what to write simply keep putting words on paper. That’s what writing is after all, putting words on paper. Like at the end of race, you’re tired and beat but you keep putting one foot in front of the other. Reading fills you up, writing spills you out and the cycle continues. Experience and reading will give you the knowledge, writing is the sharing of the value you have found with others.
Writing Well Everyday
If you want to be good at writing (especially if you want to make a living at it) you can’t treat it like a hobby, you must treat it like a business. Meaning day in and day out you are at your desk (or wherever) typing away putting words on paper. Day in and day out. Keeping it up will improve your skills. Just like anything else. Even with a natural talent for it you can’t expect to try it a little here and there and get good results. Only by dedicated practice and putting the time in can you get good at it. And don’t let excuses keep you from writing. Remember writing isn’t magic and writers aren’t special. Writing is putting words on paper.
So remember find a dedicated space where you can write, read, and think in and keep it from anything else. It is your sacred space, your training space for the application of knowledge. Then listen to good music, meditation music has worked best for me as it helps allow a free flow of information from my mind. You may be different but at the very least give meditation music at 528 and 852 hz a try. Read, reading is an essential part of being a good writer. Do all of these and write well everyday and remember no excuses.
If you have any questions you would like to see answered in a future post send them to me at charlessledge001 (at) gmail (dot) com. If you found value in this post then I would encourage you to share this site with someone who may need it as well as check out my books here. I appreciate it. You can follow me on Twitter here.
-Charles Sledge
