Reverb 10 | Prompt 2 | Writing


PROMPT TWO | WRITING


Writing. What do you do each day that doesn't contribute to your writing -- and can you eliminate it? (Author Leo Babauta of Zen Habits)

From my perspective as a storyteller, most things I do throughout the day have the potential to contribute to my writing. The stories I write - the actual content - come from living all the parts of my life. The good. The bad. The boring. The crazy. The in-between. The times when I'm on track and the times when I'm off. The day-dreams. The to-do lists.

So what do I do that doesn't contribute to my writing?

Maybe it's when I make things more complicated than they need to be. I've definitely written about that before and it's something that easily gets in the way of getting anything substantial written. I'm actually doing this as I write this post tonight. I'm typing and deleting and typing again.

Maybe it's moving other tasks to the top of my to-do list. The writing can wait. It's a form of procrastination - my excuse is that I'm waiting for the words to come even though I know that the words will come when I actually sit down and give the project my full attention.

Maybe it's doing too many things at once and not simply settling in to write. I'll start something and I'm easily distracted by something else - another project on my table, an email, tweetdeck, a piece of paper on my desk, the piles of paper on my floor, etc. These things can definitely be eliminated as roadblocks to writing. Clean the place up! I'm also thinking about heading to a coffee shop tomorrow morning so I can take care of some writing I need to do without the distractions of my regular work-space.

Good thought-provoking prompt Leo - thank you. Sounds like I need to read your new book.



WHAT IS REVERB 10?


Reverb 10 is a series of prompts with the tagline “reflect on this year & manifest what’s next.” You can sign up to receive a free daily prompt via email. Wonderful jumpstarts for storytelling & documenting this past year.

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34 thoughts

  1. Christina says…
    12/03/2010

    Nice post Ali! I can definitely relate--especially to the 'distraction' piece. I always have to make sure my house is clean before writing or I have a difficult time getting anything done. :) Coffee shop is always a great idea too!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Nikki says…
      12/03/2010

      I also can relate...the coffee shop idea sounds hopeful! I like focused writing and find free writing difficult!

  2. mamarolf says…
    12/03/2010

    I could have written this! I think procrastination and perfectionism are just inherent in those of us who love to write... its a part of the art. But, you're not alone in the distraction and de-prioritizing departments... I'm right there with you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Alana says…
    12/03/2010

    Focus is difficult, isn't it. Thanks for the link to Leo's book and congrats on providing the 3rd prompt!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Rebekah Pontow says…
    12/03/2010

    I love Anna's Braids!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. DeAnn Jahnke says…
    12/03/2010

    Those tiny braids are DIVINE !!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Tere (Marie) says…
    12/03/2010

    Thanks for sharing this....and I LOVE the braids.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Tweets that mention Reverb 10 | Prompt 2 | Writing | Ali Edwards -- Topsy.com says…
    12/03/2010

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ali Edwards, Josephina Mydreama. Josephina Mydreama said: Reverb 10 | Prompt 2 | Writing: PROMPT TWO | WRITING Writing. What do you do each day that… http://goo.gl/fb/Ipp4R [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Rachel Greig says…
    12/03/2010

    OMG - those plaits in Anna's hair! They're too cute!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. dawn says…
    12/03/2010

    Anna's pigtails are so cute and her little skirt, such a little girly. Thank you for this post it nice to know that even you a great writer has a hard time wirting sometimes.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. ale says…
    12/03/2010

    love reading this, ali. today is friday already, and i've just received december 3 prompt. from the very beggining i thought you should contribute to this project, and there you are! i'm loving reverb10, and this is my first year doing the december daily album too. i'm actually merging the two projects. i don't know if because i'm single with no kids, the holidays don't have a strong appeal to me, but at this time of the year i usually get together with family and reflect a bit more about life, so the reverb10 prompts are just perfect to me. and the december daily the perfect way to document it all. thank you so, so much for sharing so much with us!
    and i love anna's braids, too! and the cats drawn on the chalkboard (i'm a cat person, love all things cat-related).

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. jen in pa says…
    12/03/2010

    those little braids are so adorable! that chalkboard looks like the perfect size for her--where did you find it? i've been looking for a sturdy one for my kiddos.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Anya says…
    12/03/2010

    Love It! I can use any little bit of advice or tips or encouragement for writing. My favorite Roundtable episodes were always the ones about story and journaling. I'm struggling with it... affraid of my own words... but I try to sit down and write, to get used to my own language (English being my second langusge doesn't make it any easier)

    Thank you Ali. Love the picture of Anna!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Molly says…
    12/03/2010

    reverb 10 looks interesting. will check it out. thanks.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      12/03/2010

      I think it's something you would really like Molly - even if saved away for another time.

  14. Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams says…
    12/03/2010

    Distraction is definitely my greatest writing enemy.

    What a great photo of Anna - love those little braids!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. amy says…
    12/03/2010

    those teeny tiny braided pigtails have to be the cutest thing ever! very sweet.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Leslie says…
    12/03/2010

    I can totally relate. My computer desk seems to be a mind field of distractions, but is where I do almost all of my writing. I think I just need to walk in there with one sole goal in mind and be focused on it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Roxanne says…
    12/03/2010

    I am all too familiar with the "typing and deleting, typing and deleting." You put the symptoms into words beautifully. For me, removing the obstacles to my writing sometimes means - simply - to read something beautiful, like this. Thank you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. sara cook says…
    12/03/2010

    I've always avoided the journaling part of my books deciding instead to write a short phrase or sentence because when I do try to journal it sounds disconnected and blah. I'm wondering if you can point me to some past posts on your blog where you gave some journaling pointers? I've searched around but not found it on my own.
    Love what you're doing so far with your daily, so glad it's December!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Lori J says…
    12/03/2010

    This really got me thinking Ali, thanks! And I have the same problem...I seem to think that I need an immaculate work area to be creative, but I think it's more just procrastination because I believe the words won't come, but you are right...they will!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Melissa says…
    12/03/2010

    interesting take on the promt I so couldnt wrsp my head around it yesterday but I think I am starting to get an idea of how I could answer this.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Stephanie S. says…
    12/03/2010

    Ok - I just have to comment on Anna's pigtails! ADORABLE!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Carol Trejo says…
    12/03/2010

    Anna is so precious. I love the little braids. I fully relate to your post, there's so much that is distracting especially this time of year. I guess it just takes good disciplin. The coffee shops sounds like a good idea though. Thanks for posting.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. KRISTY says…
    12/03/2010

    OHHHH...MY...GOODNESS...
    Anna's tiny little piggy braids are the cutest thing ever!!
    love, love, love!!
    : ) kristy

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Leonie -Australia says…
    12/03/2010

    Anna looks so cute with her little plaits, she made me smile!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. cindy says…
    12/03/2010

    Reverb 10 - I went to sign up since I could use some prompting, but it asked for my blog (I don't blog). Do you HAVE to blog to get the prompts?

    Reply 0 Replies

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