life tools: 750words

[thene]

https://750words.com/ <--Ting found this a couple of weeks ago and we've been trying to keep at it ever since. From its About page:

Morning pages are three pages of writing done every day, typically encouraged to be in "long hand", typically done in the morning, that can be about anything and everything that comes into your head. It's about getting it all out of your head, and is not supposed to be edited or censored in any way. The idea is that if you can get in the habit of writing three pages a day, that it will help clear your mind and get the ideas flowing for the rest of the day.

So what is the point? I dunno, so I spent 750 words trying to figure it out. Other times, I've outlined novellas I've not writing, written character monologues I'm not going to post, hacked language around, wasted words on purpose or farmed them jealously all day. It's a shift in thinking for me because my words are about the only thing I own that I don't habitually think of as disposable. I think it's a good thing. Most days, it's worth the time. What I don't know is if it'll have any positive effect on either writing or blogging, but I'll let you know how it goes. It's something to get your mind out of bed for.

Comments

[lindorie]

First thing in the morning whether I'm at home or at work, I tend to thought dump in a dedicated journal. It's a mixture of life/whining/thoughts/creativity/to-do lists and I think it helps to get my thoughts in order. In my case, I think it helps me to remember to slow my brain the fuck down and get that down on the page without any casualties. I think it's in the same vein of things :p

[thene]

Yeah, sounds like. I keep a notebook on me to do the stream-of-consciousness (or whatever other) thing when I need to, but this is a little more organised, plus I can type.

[1000kindsofrain.wordpress.com]

The time after I get up is the time I'm most alert and most creative; I've spent the night thinking through what I want to write, and I wouldn't waste that time on throwaways. But each to his own. You do need to be relaxed about your writing - even disdainful. If, like me, you care too much, you'll end failing because you're trying too hard - i.e. you'll become the literary equivalent of the English football team. Hence my new year's resolution to chillax more; if David Cameron can do it, so can I...

[thene]

lol, caffeine-addled me does not have that problem; most often, Ting and I do our 750s right after midnight. I think you're right - the reason I think it might help me is that getting words to flow without overthinking them is something I find hard. I care way more about the line-level than about supposedly vital things like characters and plots, and the longest thing I've finished thus far was only 26k (though that figure does keep ramping up year on year). Whenever I manage to step up the pace one thing I'm most glad of is the freedom to junk bad bits - disdainfully! - because they're not as precious any more.

[zoeiona.livejournal.com]

Trying to write 750 words a day is a good idea. Trying to write them in the morning is not. *hides from mornings*

[thene]

much agreed! :(