Ask the Author: Judith Moffitt
Answered Questions (6)
Judith Moffitt
I don't think inspire is the right word. You don't have to feel inspired to write. You have to work no matter what mood you are in. Just sit at your desk and write. Have a daily word goal. It doesn't matter if what you write that day is bad, you fix that in editing. It matters to get words on the page. Consistently, almost every day.
Inspire is more for story ideas than writing. The best way to get ideas is to interact with the world. Read other authors. Watch the news. Study history. Get out into nature. Go out with friends and just talk about a range of subjects. Read a newspaper and not just the main articles. Learn about human psychology. Hang out somewhere and people watch. Read your Facebook feed. Check out Instagram. Go to Museums. Learn everything you can about every subject you can find. Inspiration is everywhere, but you have to be looking. And take notes. You might not be able to start on a particular idea right then, but if you have a notes file, you won't lose it later when you are looking for something new to start.
Inspire is more for story ideas than writing. The best way to get ideas is to interact with the world. Read other authors. Watch the news. Study history. Get out into nature. Go out with friends and just talk about a range of subjects. Read a newspaper and not just the main articles. Learn about human psychology. Hang out somewhere and people watch. Read your Facebook feed. Check out Instagram. Go to Museums. Learn everything you can about every subject you can find. Inspiration is everywhere, but you have to be looking. And take notes. You might not be able to start on a particular idea right then, but if you have a notes file, you won't lose it later when you are looking for something new to start.
Judith Moffitt
I have a daily writing goal and I spend at least two hours every day at my desk. I set the goal a little lower if I am blocked on a project or I work on a different project.
I always have at least ten projects in various stage of planning, writing or editing. There is always something that will be of interest. The only time I don't write at all is when life interferes (like getting sick or watching an insurrection against your country's government).
If I feel blocked on a particular project that usually means there is something I need to fix. I stay away for a few days or weeks and it will usually come to me what I need to do. But I am always still making progress on something, that's why it's handy to work on multiple things.
After 40 years of working, I find that I can concentrate no matter what mood I am in. When you view something as your job and you have to do it, there is no real room for writer's block. Just write something even if it isn't good. Sometimes just writing "I don't have anything to say" over and over will get you working and getting started is usually all you need. Don't forget to delete those junk sentences though.
I always have at least ten projects in various stage of planning, writing or editing. There is always something that will be of interest. The only time I don't write at all is when life interferes (like getting sick or watching an insurrection against your country's government).
If I feel blocked on a particular project that usually means there is something I need to fix. I stay away for a few days or weeks and it will usually come to me what I need to do. But I am always still making progress on something, that's why it's handy to work on multiple things.
After 40 years of working, I find that I can concentrate no matter what mood I am in. When you view something as your job and you have to do it, there is no real room for writer's block. Just write something even if it isn't good. Sometimes just writing "I don't have anything to say" over and over will get you working and getting started is usually all you need. Don't forget to delete those junk sentences though.
Judith Moffitt
I want to fly a dragon above Pern.
Judith Moffitt
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Judith Moffitt
Write or edit everyday. Have a daily goal for words. Getting started is the hardest part, so the word goal can be something easily achievable at first.
But it won't take long to work up to 2000 words a day and at that rate, you will write 4-7 novels a year.
But it won't take long to work up to 2000 words a day and at that rate, you will write 4-7 novels a year.
Judith Moffitt
This answer contains spoilers…
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