create account

One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas. by mctiller

View this thread on: hive.blog |  peakd.com |  ecency.com
writing · @mctiller ·
$72.82
One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas.
<html>
<p>This is an updated version of a post from my blog at <a href="http://martintiller.com/2014/11/09/what-to-do-when-you-have-no-idea-what-to-write-about/">martintiller.com</a></p>
<h2>I had dinner with some friends tonight.&nbsp;</h2>
<p>One friend, like many teachers, has always wanted to write a children’s book.&nbsp; But she says she doesn't have any ideas.</p>
<p><center><img src="http://i.imgur.com/WUZctUV.jpg?1" width="617" height="347"/></center></p>
<p><strong>There is the mistake.</strong></p>
<p>Most people who want to write but don’t, make a fundamental mistake.&nbsp; They wait for the idea first and then they begin writing.&nbsp; This is wrong.</p>
<p><strong>WRONG!</strong></p>
<p><strong>Louis L’more said:&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><center><img src="http://i.imgur.com/KDQeMJD.jpg" width="250" height="225"/></center></p>
<blockquote>&nbsp;“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”&nbsp;</blockquote>
<p><br></p>
<p>In other words, come to the paper (or computer) first, then you write.&nbsp; Then come the bad ideas, and then later come the good ideas.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>But it is, always, first write.</strong></p>
<p><strong>I've written about this before. &nbsp;But it is such a myth, that ideas come first, that I keep writing about it.</strong></p>
<p>When I decided to try and write a children’s book, I had no idea where to start.&nbsp; So I did what any good teacher does.&nbsp; I gave a writing prompt.&nbsp; When writing Kevin and the Seven Lions I sat down at the computer and wrote several sentences as writing prompts.</p>
<p><center><img src="https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/07/18/FrontCoverFinal_smallthumbnail.jpg" width="2550" height="2550"/></center></p>
<p><em><strong>Kevin slept in class.</strong></em></p>
<p>That was the sentence that started the Kevin series.&nbsp; That sentence didn’t make the final book, but it started the whole thing.</p>
<p>Here are some of the other sentences I wrote</p>
<p><em>Bobby rounded third and slid into home plate.</em></p>
<p><em>Sally was a shark.</em></p>
<p>I am still thinking about the shark book.&nbsp; 
<p>The baseball reference above I don’t think has anything to do with&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/10GFsks">Baseball and Aliens</a>.&nbsp; But just writing down words.&nbsp; ANY WORDS.&nbsp; Got the ball rolling.</p>
<p>When you are completely stuck my recommendation, just write a sentence.&nbsp; Any sentence.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Put your fingers on the keyboard and let the fingers talk.</p>
<p>Seriously any sentence, and see what happens.</p>
<p>If you are stuck.&nbsp; Write your sentence.</p>
<p>Trust me on this.</p>
<p><br>
P.S.Get this blog post early, free short stories, and my next book for free if you join my <a href="http://eepurl.com/1EWcT">Insider's List.</a>&nbsp;</p>
<p><br></p>
<p><br></p>
</html>
👍  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 10 others
properties (23)
authormctiller
permlinkone-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing","selfpublishing","publishing","ideas",""],"image":["http://i.imgur.com/WUZctUV.jpg?1","http://i.imgur.com/KDQeMJD.jpg","https://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/07/18/FrontCoverFinal_smallthumbnail.jpg"],"links":["http://martintiller.com/2014/11/09/what-to-do-when-you-have-no-idea-what-to-write-about/","http://amzn.to/10GFsks","http://eepurl.com/1EWcT"]}
created2016-08-22 00:41:09
last_update2016-08-22 00:41:09
depth0
children17
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value62.262 HBD
curator_payout_value10.558 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length2,875
author_reputation101,332,557,738,546
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id927,835
net_rshares19,918,549,533,478
author_curate_reward""
vote details (74)
@clevecross ·
$0.05
This is great! The water doesn't flow until the faucet is turned on..... Great quote, and my dad loves Louise so.... There's history!
👍  
properties (23)
authorclevecross
permlinkre-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t010852018z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-08-22 01:08:51
last_update2016-08-22 01:08:51
depth1
children2
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.054 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length133
author_reputation7,635,074,529,912
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id928,102
net_rshares88,688,595,681
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@mctiller · 
When I read that quote, it changed everything for me.  And then when I realized how prolific he was, I realized he was onto something.
properties (22)
authormctiller
permlinkre-clevecross-re-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t011052109z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-08-22 01:10:30
last_update2016-08-22 01:10:30
depth2
children1
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length134
author_reputation101,332,557,738,546
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id928,117
net_rshares0
@clevecross ·
$0.05
I remember a great piece I wrote years ago, started with the line
"It's not fair.." he muttered to noone...
also never used... it really does get it flowing
👍  
properties (23)
authorclevecross
permlinkre-mctiller-re-clevecross-re-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t013011738z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-08-22 01:30:12
last_update2016-08-22 01:30:12
depth3
children0
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.052 HBD
curator_payout_value0.001 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length156
author_reputation7,635,074,529,912
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id928,315
net_rshares86,801,683,799
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@cristi ·
$0.06
funny, that's how I usually do the bulk drafting when I write! we're on the same page.
👍  
properties (23)
authorcristi
permlinkre-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t160535264z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-08-22 16:05:33
last_update2016-08-22 16:05:33
depth1
children0
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.048 HBD
curator_payout_value0.007 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length86
author_reputation128,305,218,872,904
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id936,418
net_rshares90,589,559,378
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@daut44 · (edited)
$0.09
I love this advice. Yesterday I found a steemit writing contest with certain requirements. I spent 30 minutes trying to find a topic to write on to no avail. I just started writing instead, and when I was done it didn't fit the specifications of what the writing contest was looking for, but I unintentionally created something for my own blog. It wasn't a solution to the problem I expected to solve, but putting my fingers to the keyboard turned out to be the solution I needed.

My whole life I've been such a planner, but I seem to get the best results when I just jump in and then start analyzing after. That's not to say I'm encouraging carelessness or impulsiveness, but "write first" can be more generically stated as "do first" in many different areas of life.
👍  ,
properties (23)
authordaut44
permlinkre-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t010115783z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-08-22 01:01:15
last_update2016-08-22 01:03:27
depth1
children2
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.084 HBD
curator_payout_value0.007 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length769
author_reputation19,160,071,194,613
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id928,025
net_rshares145,189,864,179
author_curate_reward""
vote details (2)
@mctiller ·
$0.06
That's almost a Yoda quote.  "Do first"!
👍  , ,
properties (23)
authormctiller
permlinkre-daut44-re-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t011120641z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-08-22 01:11:00
last_update2016-08-22 01:11:00
depth2
children1
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.052 HBD
curator_payout_value0.011 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length40
author_reputation101,332,557,738,546
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id928,121
net_rshares103,525,787,590
author_curate_reward""
vote details (3)
@daut44 · 
It's not the best advice for everyone, as some need to do a little planning before they act impulsively, but it's definitely good advice for monastic and zen Jedi.
properties (22)
authordaut44
permlinkre-mctiller-re-daut44-re-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t014818416z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-08-22 01:48:18
last_update2016-08-22 01:48:18
depth3
children0
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length163
author_reputation19,160,071,194,613
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id928,515
net_rshares0
@envirogirl · (edited)
$0.05
Great post! I would disagree with you though that it's a myth that ideas come first. I guess it depends on the person. I'm an illustrator first (of children's books) so I think in pictures. Coming up with ideas actually comes quite naturally to me. What's hard for me is turning those ideas and stories I see in my mind into a well-crafted story. Perhaps I need more practice with the writing side of things if I'm ever going to BOTH illustrate AND write a children's book one day. I'm struggling my way through writing a middle grade graphic novel at the moment. It's slow going but I'm beginning to gain a bit more confidence as I go. I think we all have something we struggle with - if it's not coming up with the ideas, then it's something else along the way. For anyone wanting to come up with ideas for picture books though, I HIGHLY recommend joining PiBoIdMo - https://taralazar.com/piboidmo/. Happy idea hunting!
👍  
properties (23)
authorenvirogirl
permlinkre-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t013923483z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"],"links":["https://taralazar.com/piboidmo/."]}
created2016-08-22 01:29:15
last_update2016-08-22 01:29:42
depth1
children1
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.052 HBD
curator_payout_value0.001 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length921
author_reputation1,356,276,309
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id928,302
net_rshares86,801,683,799
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@mctiller ·
$0.05
It's not a myth FOR YOU.  And that's good.  But when I talk with others that want to write a book, but then complain they don't have an idea, well THEY are stuck in the myth.  They won't come to the computer UNTIL they have an idea.  That's the myth.

Even if you don't have an idea, just start writing.

I'll check out PiBoldMo, I was unaware of that.  Thanks.
👍  
properties (23)
authormctiller
permlinkre-envirogirl-re-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t013509014z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-08-22 01:34:48
last_update2016-08-22 01:34:48
depth2
children0
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.036 HBD
curator_payout_value0.011 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length361
author_reputation101,332,557,738,546
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id928,361
net_rshares81,215,722,433
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@judyd100 ·
$0.05
It also helps to find a list of "prompts" online. You know, half-ideas that you're supposed to finish. That can get the juices flowing!  Sometimes if I see a starting sentence or phrase, my ideas will be all over the place, and I have a hard time writing them all down.
👍  ,
properties (23)
authorjudyd100
permlinkre-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t004602249z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-08-22 00:46:03
last_update2016-08-22 00:46:03
depth1
children2
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.054 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length269
author_reputation460,617,989,391
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id927,895
net_rshares90,113,323,413
author_curate_reward""
vote details (2)
@mctiller ·
$0.05
Neil Gaiman and other famous writers emphasize also finishing what you start.  But I've met so many people that WANT TO WRITE, but don't because they think they don't have an idea.
👍  
properties (23)
authormctiller
permlinkre-judyd100-re-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t011232493z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-08-22 01:12:12
last_update2016-08-22 01:12:12
depth2
children1
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.036 HBD
curator_payout_value0.011 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length180
author_reputation101,332,557,738,546
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id928,129
net_rshares79,326,984,702
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@judyd100 ·
$0.05
..and see, I firmly believe that EVERYONE has a book in them just waiting to be written! Thanks @mctiller!
👍  
properties (23)
authorjudyd100
permlinkre-mctiller-re-judyd100-re-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t013518337z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"],"users":["mctiller"]}
created2016-08-22 01:35:21
last_update2016-08-22 01:35:21
depth3
children0
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.053 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length106
author_reputation460,617,989,391
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id928,367
net_rshares86,801,683,799
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@juvyjabian ·
$0.06
You are right @mctiller, all we need to do is to write, write whatever comes in our mind.
👍  
properties (23)
authorjuvyjabian
permlinkre-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t055428727z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"],"users":["mctiller"]}
created2016-08-22 05:54:06
last_update2016-08-22 05:54:06
depth1
children0
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.042 HBD
curator_payout_value0.014 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length89
author_reputation185,700,092,637,158
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id930,537
net_rshares94,363,969,306
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@micheletrainer ·
$0.06
Thanks for the great quote reminder!  and yours "Write your sentence." boom!
👍  
properties (23)
authormicheletrainer
permlinkre-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t032007763z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-08-22 03:20:09
last_update2016-08-22 03:20:09
depth1
children0
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.042 HBD
curator_payout_value0.013 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length76
author_reputation5,815,947,972,144
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id929,331
net_rshares92,476,689,920
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@razvanelulmarin ·
$0.09
This is a great post! I'd suggest instead of putting people on your insider's list, being on steemit, you just ask them for follow :)
👍  ,
properties (23)
authorrazvanelulmarin
permlinkre-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t150912246z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-08-22 15:09:18
last_update2016-08-22 15:09:18
depth1
children0
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.070 HBD
curator_payout_value0.020 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length133
author_reputation176,753,416,199,361
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id935,522
net_rshares144,579,660,387
author_curate_reward""
vote details (2)
@scaredycatguide · 
How am I just seeing this post!?  Good stuff man.   There is a saying I love about writing - "just write 2 bad pages a day."   It's amazing what you get from those pages.  Within the junk are gems everywhere.  Like you said...then come the good ideas.
👍  
properties (23)
authorscaredycatguide
permlinkre-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160903t154110234z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-09-03 15:41:45
last_update2016-09-03 15:41:45
depth1
children0
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length251
author_reputation980,080,115,519,123
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,112,374
net_rshares88,380,379,663
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@soulsistashakti ·
$0.06
True.  I can't decide what I want to write about tomorrow night and my plan is to just come to the keyboard.  I may have an idea after running around NYC all day though :)
👍  
properties (23)
authorsoulsistashakti
permlinkre-mctiller-one-simple-step-what-to-do-when-you-want-to-write-and-you-don-t-have-any-ideas-20160822t043001861z
categorywriting
json_metadata{"tags":["writing"]}
created2016-08-22 04:30:00
last_update2016-08-22 04:30:00
depth1
children0
last_payout2016-09-22 01:58:03
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.042 HBD
curator_payout_value0.014 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length171
author_reputation16,661,384,249,815
root_title"One Simple Step--What to do when you want to write and you don't have any ideas."
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id929,907
net_rshares94,363,969,306
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
Help/Feedback