Ask the Author: Gene Morton
Answered Questions (7)
Gene Morton
Thanks for asking.
There is a difference, I think, between writer's block and being distracted. Writer's block has yet to be a problem, as I said before. But fending off distractions is a never ending duel.
The method I use to manage distractions is to start writing every day, no matter what else I'm doing and, a la Hemingway, quit writing at the preset time, based on my appointment schedule for the day.
I'll admit that I have sat down to write and had an empty head. Being stubborn about such conditions, I make myself keep myself in position, doing almost nothing, and try to figure out what is distracting me. It is a form of contemplation. Sometimes there are other articles or ideas that I want to pursue. It is a conscious choice, after about 45 minutes, to keep myself in my writing space, whether I'm sitting, pacing, or stretching. Still empty? I take my imagination for a walk, for about 45 minutes, and just observe what is gong on in my monkey brain. Normally, that works. Sorting out my priorities in the moment, what is urgent and what excites me at the time, relieves the pressure and the ideas start to flow.
Writing exercises are another technique I use. Just spill out whatever comes to mind in onto the paper, in long-hand, and find out what is distracting me.
Overall, I guess, I work on my distractions and pay attention to where my mind wants to go.
There is a difference, I think, between writer's block and being distracted. Writer's block has yet to be a problem, as I said before. But fending off distractions is a never ending duel.
The method I use to manage distractions is to start writing every day, no matter what else I'm doing and, a la Hemingway, quit writing at the preset time, based on my appointment schedule for the day.
I'll admit that I have sat down to write and had an empty head. Being stubborn about such conditions, I make myself keep myself in position, doing almost nothing, and try to figure out what is distracting me. It is a form of contemplation. Sometimes there are other articles or ideas that I want to pursue. It is a conscious choice, after about 45 minutes, to keep myself in my writing space, whether I'm sitting, pacing, or stretching. Still empty? I take my imagination for a walk, for about 45 minutes, and just observe what is gong on in my monkey brain. Normally, that works. Sorting out my priorities in the moment, what is urgent and what excites me at the time, relieves the pressure and the ideas start to flow.
Writing exercises are another technique I use. Just spill out whatever comes to mind in onto the paper, in long-hand, and find out what is distracting me.
Overall, I guess, I work on my distractions and pay attention to where my mind wants to go.
Gene Morton
When a life event looks like the start of a great story. When a character in my imagination begins to show me an internal movie or talk to me. When I start talking to myself about matters that concern me, make me fret, or make me want to argue.
Gene Morton
Start early, in life, and write about your experiences in as many different ways as you can imagine. If not early in life, early in the day. If not early in the day then start writing right now.
Gene Morton
Understanding after an incredible period of rewriting what I really want to say.
Gene Morton
Knock on wood, so far this has not been a problem, unless... is it possible to avoid writer's block by getting distracted from writing by the never ending distractions of social media in order to promote one's past work and thereby avoid feeling anxious about having a dormant writer's block because as the numerous tasks are completed a slight sense of accomplishment occurs instead of the sticky feeling of becoming tangled in the web of a writer's block? Is that possible to suppress a writer's block by writing as much as one can except about matters that have nothing to do with what a writer would really like to write about, really dig into and become lost in, but keeps putting off because there are so many of these little things that need doing, like the laundry, dishes, and the like?
Gene Morton
Truth be known, right now all of my attention is drawn to setting up the marketing infrastructure to promote my book, Leaders First: Six Bold Steps.... At the same time, my A class priority is to complete, edit, and create a reformatted set of e-books with the audio book component included, to accompany the hardback.
Gene Morton
I realized my experience with company and non-profit reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, and insurance company shutdowns and run-offs was unique. In addition, I was discovering where failing companies and leaders had begun their fall--most often by decisions they and their predecessors had made as many as 5 years before. After guiding many leader teams in the design and implementation of their company's leadership structures, I realized the job of a successful leader encompasses many more skills--organizational skills, for example--than personal integrity, although such integrity and even charisma are critical parts of a winning leadership system. But where leaders tended to fail were in the flaws in their leadership structure.
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