blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
Are these THE Top Ten ways to declutter your writer brain? More accurately, they are a few of the ways. But that would have made the title too long and not great for search engine optimization. (SEO–We all know it’s important, like good electrolyte balance, but how many of us really understand SEO? And that was a prime example of letting a random thought occupy an already cluttered brain. Hence, this blog post.)
If you’ve ever caught yourself staring at a blinking cursor that’s waiting for you to key in more brilliance on your work in progress, but your attention is captivated by the fly stuck between the interior and exterior window, and the lingering odor of the morning’s burnt toast reminds you that you should take a minute to pull something out of the freezer for supper, and that leads to the thought that yesterday would have been the perfect day to defrost the freezer and why didn’t you take advantage of that but now you’ll have to write it on the to-do list which is where again?…then you understand the derailing capacities of a cluttered writer brain.
Writers naturally juggle facts, information, plot, character attributes, pacing, resolved and unresolved conflicts, in addition to their home life and family, their health, the global economy, the publishing climate, and carpal tunnel. Lots of clutter.
What are those Top Ten Ways to Declutter Your Writer Brain?
- Don’t write. Not yet. Stop trying to write before your brain is engaged. How does it get engaged? See point #2.
- Breathe. (Don’t knock it. It’s kept you alive this long. Hear me out.) A few deep, full-lung, relaxing breaths will quiet tension and drive oxygen into your brain cells. When you sat in front of your computer, you probably came to the party tense. Concerned about word count or a deadline or trying to make sense of what you wrote yesterday. When you focus on intentional, deep breathing, your exhales send tension flying.
- Focus on your target reader. What’s he or she likely facing? What felt need is your book seeking to meet? Start with empathy for or at least respect for your reader.
- Simply write. Since it’s fruitless to wait for perfect conditions, start writing, but leave it on the page even if it smells to high heaven. If a three-year-old has to run around the church playground to get the wiggles out, a writer needs to play with words to get the wiggles out and usher in focused attention. Deleting smelly writing is so easy these days (It used to warrant a scissors and tape or ripping the entire disgusting page out of the typewriter roller or gallons of White-Out liquid paper. Google it. It was a thing.). Just write. See where it takes you.
- Read something by another author, a book or article that either demands or captures your attention. Reading great writing almost always serves as motivation for a writer.
- Preserve your to-do list, don’t ignore it. Keep it in a safe place but not visible while you write. If a must-do comes to mind while you’re on a writing roll, pause only long enough to record it on your list, then put the list away again. Your brain will think it’s covered if it’s secure. It will assume it’s hovering if the list is nearby or if you’re trying to hang onto a mental note until after your writing session. Mental notes are the most likely to escape if not chained down. And they’re as distracting as a blood-thirsty mosquito.
- Schedule your concerns. That disagreement with your spouse? Mark on your calendar a specific time or day to work that through. The hard talk you need to have with your agent? Schedule it on your calendar. The procrastinated phone call to your son’s teacher? Schedule it…and forget it while you write. You haven’t shirked your “duty” to the concern. But you’ve reserved a spot for it. It may seem a mental game, but it truly does allow the brain to set it aside until its appointment time.
- Repeat step #2 frequently through your writing session. Many writers develop the habit of subconsciously holding their breath until they reach the end of the phrase or sentence. We can’t afford to underestimate the value of oxygen.
- Declutter your brain by turning off notifications on your devices while you write.
- Let God handle the universe while you crank out two thousand words. It’s okay. He’s had practice.
The first thing I do to declutter my brain is to pray. I have a note on my computer that says “PRAY FIRST”. 🙂
Excellent first step!
I’m working on the discipline of “centering prayer.” It’s not emptying the brain–it is clearing out the debris so “that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). I picture a flowing stream carrying away the countless random thoughts, letting clear water swirl and fill the space. It isn’t easy–those random thoughts are like the sticks a beaver uses to dam the stream. This is a learned skill, and I’m getting better at letting go of my junky thoughts and welcoming the Spirit into the space they occupied. If I practice it when I’m not stressed, I will be better able to apply it to my blank-screen moments of frustration.
Great description, Shirlee.
My brain is like a mighty shelf
that’s open, back and front,
and I have, yes, seen myself
that things I place there won’t
stay in place of own accord,
they’re not confined by rack;
when I place from front of board,
stuff falls off the back.
And then they skitter and they roll
across the floor to hide
or get caught up in lumps of coal
kept by the fireside.
I track ’em down, wipe carbon stain,
and then the fun begins again.
Andrew, this reminds me of my compulsively neat son. As a toddler, he’d get all the books lined up on the bookshelf with their spines in a straight line. Then he’d look at the backside of the shelf and set them straight from that angle, only to be distressed when the front side was uneven. Picture me lecturing a one-year old, “Life is never perfect. Give it up!” Now in his 40’s with children of his own, he understands how some things defy organization. Thank you for this humorous walk down memory lane.
Shirlee, I’m so glad you enjoyed this, and I can SO relate!
Thanks for these good declutter reminders. I especially identified with #4: Simply write. I am slowly working on my first novel. Initially, I was like a toddler afraid to let go of a safety hold, and when I finally took a step, I would immediately turn back to hold on again. I found I would get one word, one page, or one chapter written, only to go back to the beginning to proof, edit, and rewrite. (Then repeat, repeat, repeat to the point of ad nauseam.) Forcing myself to declutter by ignoring my addiction to “delete the smelly writing,” has helped. The work is still slow, but at least new pages are appearing. This writing is arduous work.
I would also add one other reminder for writers: Shut out the negative voices. I have to consciously ignore all those things my mind wants to tell me (you can’t write, your story is trite, you’re wasting your time…you get the picture). When I successfully declutter the negative thoughts and think positively, I can let those creative juices flow and enjoy the process.
On a different note: I recently read your novel Afraid of the Light. Loved it! Kudos on your excellent writing!
Thank you for the kind words, Vickie, and for the insight about silencing The Voices. 🙂
What a great list! I especially appreciate the last five. Incorporating them today. Thanks, Cynthia!
Love to hear this!
Cynthia, your first paragraphs made me wonder if you were in my brain, since I totally related! An author coach even suggested that I may have adult-onset ADD. Whatever the cause of my cluttered and distracted brain, I appreciated your excellent and practical suggestions–and the ones posted in the comments. Prayer is definitely key for me, along with those deep breaths. Thank you!
Sometimes I wonder if ADD may be a job requirement for successful writers. 🙂 And also a hurdle.
Writing that To Do list really helps me to forget what is bothering me and keeping the words away. Thank you for the great tips!
Me, too, Kristen.
I needed this reminder today. I got 8 new notifications since starting this comment. (Confession: I’ve been lurking on this website for seven years, but this is my first time to comment. I feel like I know everyone here, but no one knows me.) I’m at Speak-up conference today and have a one-on-one conference scheduled with Cynthia tomorrow.
Looking forward to connecting tomorrow, Kathleen! I chuckled at the 8 new notifications since starting your comment!
Yes, let God handle things while we focus. The plot path usually clears when I’m in deep concentration over my manuscript, giving it mental priority, when I’m putting myself in the story, and settling down there, whether that’s when I’m walking or brainstorming or writing.
Thanks, Cynthia. I’m a first book-er! I have no idea what I’m doing, which is why I’m reading booksandsuch blogs. A week ago I came up with an idea for a second book and thought ‘procrastination’’. So, maybe not.
I’ll keep writing. Thanks for the inspiration, challenge and encouragement you all give us. Jenni
Note to self. Edit those pesky quotation marks.