Ask the Author: D.E. Heil
Answered Questions (2)
D.E. Heil
The best piece of advice I received was aired by Nelson DeMille in a piece he wrote about the beginnings of his writing career. He suggested that an author not only write at least 15 minutes every day but that they take every opportunity to write even if it only comes in small snippets of time.
Since I took that advice to heart, I have often typed a few words (or penned them on a notebook I always carry) when time was available. Many times it is only for five minutes but those few sentences may turn into the foundation for later paragraphs or even chapters.
Another tool that I use to great effect is that when I am typing and think of a different topic or line of thought that I want to work on I will place a double parentheses to catch my eye, write my thought and where I want to go with it, and then close with another double parentheses. Placed in between paragraphs with plenty of white space, this little reminder jumps out at me as I proofread the piece and I can then capitalize on that idea at a later time and date so I do not forget it. An additional benefit of this trick is that the new idea does not take my concentration off my current line of thought that I am in midst of typing so I am able to pursue my current topic and still have a reminder to pursue the new idea.
Since I took that advice to heart, I have often typed a few words (or penned them on a notebook I always carry) when time was available. Many times it is only for five minutes but those few sentences may turn into the foundation for later paragraphs or even chapters.
Another tool that I use to great effect is that when I am typing and think of a different topic or line of thought that I want to work on I will place a double parentheses to catch my eye, write my thought and where I want to go with it, and then close with another double parentheses. Placed in between paragraphs with plenty of white space, this little reminder jumps out at me as I proofread the piece and I can then capitalize on that idea at a later time and date so I do not forget it. An additional benefit of this trick is that the new idea does not take my concentration off my current line of thought that I am in midst of typing so I am able to pursue my current topic and still have a reminder to pursue the new idea.
D.E. Heil
I get most of my ideas in three settings and if I have writer's block I try placing myself in these environments. I keep a notepad and pen outside the shower because my mind is most fertile first thing in the morning and as I awaken with water splashing off me ideas come to me. I also work through many plots while walking for exercise so I always keep a notepad with me to record an outline of those ideas. My mind tends to wander as I drive on my daily commute and many story lines are formulated at that time regardless of whether I am listening to an audiobook or classical music.
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