Content & Writing Tycoon

**moonlightmile** · 01-24-2007, 01:58 PM

I find that my quality writing comes in streaks, I'll knock out a bunch of great articles one week and then the next week I'll get through a sentence or two and nothing else comes out.

In college I would do my best work when I had deadlines. I would wait until the last minute to finish a writing assignment and then boom... go on a marathon 4-5 hour writing streak and git-r-done.

Having a full time job right now does two things. One the motivation to write for money is lessened because my bills are being paid and, Two I have a lot less free time then I did before I was working full time.

I'm trying to come up with a strategy that will get me writing more, so I can turn some of these ideas I've been kicking around into reality.

I would appreciate other peoples tips/techniques on how they get in the mood to write.

Thanks

**Brandon Tanner** · 02-03-2007, 11:05 PM

I'm the same way. I can't "force" myself to write. I just have to wait until it's "flowing", and then do as much as possible!

Everyones different, but it seems that my most productive times happen when I'm relaxed the most. I think "writers block" actually has more to do with trying to think about *too many* things at once, not too little. I find it helps to occasionally take a day off and get away to the countryside, the beach, or wherever - anywhere that you can truly relax. Just clear your mind and don't think about *anything* business related for the whole day. I find it's alot easier to focus on whatever it is I need to focus on (like writing) after a day like that.

Just my 2cents

**moonlightmile** · 02-04-2007, 05:27 PM

Brandon,
I completely agree that vacation does wonders for relaxation and motivation. It still surprises me just how much more efficient I am after a vacation.

Here are some other tips I gleaned from another website:
- Carry a notepad in your pocket at all times for those moments of inspiration... if nothing can be written then ideas from your notebook can be transcribed onto the computer for a boost of much need inspiration
- Start writing anything... don't self-sensor at all.
- A shot of tequila

unk:
- Represent the idea graphically, draw on flip chart paper
- Deep relaxation; 20 minutes of hypnosis
- Create deadlines on post-it notes and keep them on the computer
- Sketch out the page layout of what you are trying to write
- Leave the sentence halfway done, so next time you try to start writing there will be an idea that needs to be finished
- Go to coffee with a friend and share ideas

**johniman7** · 02-04-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

- Leave the sentence halfway done, so next time you try to start writing there will be an idea that needs to be finished
- Go to coffee with a friend and share ideas
moonlightmile is online now Report Post Reply With Quote

They are very good ones. I have never heard of the sentance thing before but I like that idea a lot. The coffee with friends one is great. There really aren't many people I know in person or locally that can help like that but I get on IM with people I have met through business all the time and just chit chat about business ideas.

Vacationing is excellent, especially in our business where you can come back from vacation richer than when you left.

**Get a Community** · 02-08-2007, 05:09 AM

Writing comes naturally. As you have already mentioned at times one can write an article at one go while sometimes you don't even feel like writing. I suggest at those downtimes it is better to give yourself some quality free time and then come back to finish off the job.

**jhmattern** · 02-08-2007, 01:27 PM

I'm having a "lack of motivation" kind of day right now myself, probably because I'm taking a long weekend, so my mind's preoccupied with not working for a change. lol

Like you, I find that I work best under deadlines. Try self-imposing some. Write down a specific list of what you want to write, and your deadline for having it done. It won't work for everyone, but I'm tough on myself, so if I write it down, I do it. If anything, I find that I get things done sooner than expected if I do that... maybe it's the satisfaction of being able to check it off of the master list.

Something else that works for me usually is to tie the project to someone else in some way, so someone else is counting on me. For example, I'm working on a book proposal for a marketing title. I have some significant people in the niche I'm dealing with who have confirmed an interest in interviews. So if I feel particularly unmotivated, I get in touch with one of them and set up a hard interview time. Then someone else is relying on me (and it's usually a relationship I don't want to jeopardize), I have a deadline, and I get it done.

**GeorgeB** · 02-12-2007, 09:32 AM

I actually find that whenever I'm not near a computer (rare but it happens) I always have an idea to write about something.

**cashzonehost** · 02-12-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonlightmile

Brandon,
I completely agree that vacation does wonders for relaxation and motivation. It still surprises me just how much more efficient I am after a vacation.

Here are some other tips I gleaned from another website:
- Carry a notepad in your pocket at all times for those moments of inspiration... if nothing can be written then ideas from your notebook can be transcribed onto the computer for a boost of much need inspiration
- Start writing anything... don't self-sensor at all.
- A shot of tequila

unk:
- Represent the idea graphically, draw on flip chart paper
- Deep relaxation; 20 minutes of hypnosis
- Create deadlines on post-it notes and keep them on the computer
- Sketch out the page layout of what you are trying to write
- Leave the sentence halfway done, so next time you try to start writing there will be an idea that needs to be finished
- Go to coffee with a friend and share ideas

Lol, why would you go for a shot of tequilla?? :lol:

**kneoteric** · 02-14-2007, 01:58 AM

In my opinion, developing creative content requires a free mind and nothing creative can come out of a pressure vessel... :2guns:

Be it a punch of cocktail, a walk in the moon-lit night or a foggy morning jogging refresh your mind to create wonders, they are essential into this business... :innocent:

We are into a great industry of Content Development... Get the best out of it!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! :lol:

**jesterx** · 02-24-2007, 10:06 PM

dont get drunk when writing content....LOL i have tried and failed well

if you want to get some good marketing ideas get drunk and write them down apply them when you sober up....if you ever do....LMAO

if you want to get some good content flowing through you veins go to older guru material that you can put a new spin on...it always works well. Make sure you refence guru and you will get people to think ah huh....i remember that...give the piece more credibility.

**kneoteric** · 02-26-2007, 03:03 AM

Quote:

if you want to get some good content flowing through you veins go to older guru material that you can put a new spin on...it always works well. Make sure you refence guru and you will get people to think ah huh....

What's Guru?

**jesterx** · 03-07-2007, 01:13 AM

someone that is known in your particular niche or business as successful and makes good money!

you might have an old viral pdf doc or some text cut from an old website that will fire you up to write.

that will always get the juices flowing.

**kneoteric** · 03-07-2007, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesterx

someone that is known in your particular niche or business as successful and makes good money!

you might have an old viral pdf doc or some text cut from an old website that will fire you up to write.

that will always get the juices flowing.

Thank you for the explanation.

**Jan P** · 03-08-2007, 09:43 AM

Since part of my income is dependent on writing articles, I need to stay motivated writing!

I find getting started is the hard part. When I'm not motivated, I put up a blank page with the title of the article and save it. I find 2-3 sources for research and put them up in one window on different tabs. I glance through the information. I write the intro and a few key points I want to include and save it.

I then do something around the house, with the kids, or online that I enjoy for a specific amount of time. I return and find it easier to continue. For some reason I'm often unmotivated to do the last 100 words or so and repeat the above break, usually for a shorter time.

I always let an article sit for several hours or overnight before the final edit. If I do it immediately afterwards I find that I have the article "memorized" and don't really "see" it when I'm reading it.

Motivational partners work well. Find another netpreneur who needs motivating and set deadlines together and be accountable to one another.

**MafiaMaster** · 03-08-2007, 08:09 PM

I find having a deadline is much easier as well. I suppose because I have a deadline for all my courses, I am able to wait for the night prior, have that stress hit me hard and then write write write. However, for my sites, there's no deadline. What I would do is treat yourself to something if you succeed in getting content done. If you get five articles done for your site in a day, then go treat yourself to a night of tequila. :-p

**Moelman** · 03-08-2007, 10:40 PM

I kind of have to be in the mood to do it also. I know its not a good habit, but sometimes I go a while without writing anything new because I don't have any inspiration. I need to get better at just making myself keep my sites updated. Not that that happens often, but a few times it has.