When the words won’t come easily

Kia ora

Some days the words flow so smoothly that you’re convinced you can smash out your first draft by the end of the week. Some days the words come as easily as picking your way through a field of nettles. Or gorse. Or cow pats. (We’ve all been there.)

When the words aren’t coming, don’t panic. Here are a few tips.

• Remember your why and your what: why are you writing about your adventure or trip? What do you want readers to take away from your story? Those reminders can give you a push in the right direction.
• Just get it all out: don’t worry about order or structure when you’re writing your first draft. Get out everything you need to get out, in any order. Themes, structure, and 
• Pick a photo or journal entry and write about it. Write anything and everything. Recall how you felt in that moment, what you were wearing, what you could hear and smell, what the temperature was, what you could see outside the bounds of the photo or page. This writing doesn’t have to go into your draft. It just gets the ideas flowing.

I hope that gives you a few ideas. Happy writing!

Deborah

PS: My newest blog post is up: How to include flashbacks in your writing. A little teaser for you:

Flashbacks send readers back in time to events that happened outside your story’s “present”. Knowing how to nudge your readers in the right direction will keep readers engaged, instead of having them go “huh?”

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📚 What I’m reading

A Training School For Elephants, by Sophy Roberts.

Look! A new book! I’m loving it so far. Sophy’s writing is gorgeous and compassionate. The book is partially set in the Congo. My podcast listening has had a Congo focus recently, if you need distraction from your writing.

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📅 Availability

Currently booking manuscripts from May. If you’re thinking of getting your manuscript edited, do get in touch now to book your spot. 

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