Long walks are generally a good idea, but especially during Pandemic lockdown. We’re a few weeks into then second lockdown of 2020. So far, it’s not as severe as the first one this spring. we have a better idea of what to expect, but doing the right thing to keep everyone safe can lead to cabin fever. Something as simple as a long walk at dusk, snapping a few pics, and a take away burrito can work wonders.
2020 has been such a crazy time for the world. Ironically, given some of the recent divisiveness back stateside, it’s always a thrill to hear American voices overseas, even in a nice place like Europe. These were my thoughts as I stood wearing my mask outside in line for takeaway at the only California style burrito shop in the city.
I’ve often read outdoor walks/runs benefit the creative process, there seems to be something to this. A few tips which helped me finally finish writing that first book follow below.
1) Wait to Edit-The cliché is just write, and it’s mostly true, but for me the temptation to edit too soon stifled significant progress. Editing is half of writing, but it’s not writing. I’d write a few pages or a chapter and then go back and edit to sharpen things up. A month later, this chapter was tuned up nicely after countless rereads and edits, but it can still always be better, and twenty chapters could have been written in this same time period. This worked for me, otherwise I’d still be on chapter one.
2) Volume leads to better edits-As much as I tried, it’s still easy to fall into the trap above, but the concept of “scarcity value” helped my writing. When you only have 2,000 words on paper the idea of cutting two pages that clutter or confuse the story is tough! It’s half of what you’ve written. On the other hand when you are 200 pages into your book, cutting, moving, or replacing ten pages to improve the story is psychologically much easier. Simple and easy are not the same thing. If you have the discipline to just write your entire first draft, and then go back and edit the living daylights out of it, we need to hang out.
3) Work on two books at a time- This came from an article on Don Winslow. His process is get up early and just write then go for a walk. He always works on two books at a time. This made sense since writer’s block can ebb and flow. Writing is like a muscle, exercise daily and the benefits are exponential. The old masters can teach us a great deal.
4) 20 Books to 50k-This is a Facebook writing group I wish I’d discovered ages back. I’m still new and don’t know enough to add much, but there is a treasure trove of information on every aspect of writing, publishing etc. to soak in. It was recommended by a friend, and I really like the fact they don’t allow self promotion. There are all sorts of websites out there with advice, courses, and books on self publishing etc. I’m sure some are great, though I don’t know enough to gauge value. I do know from my industry, the real experts rarely peddle how to guides. Regardless, some of the senior members of this group are retired military, and thus have that frank, no nonsense tone I grew up with and understand.
These tips helped me.