What do you think about during your commute or while you’re driving around town? I’ll bet you haven’t made a point to reflect on what you’ll be writing about during the next writing session you’ve hopefully blocked out on your calendar. But what if you did?
One of my newer writing coach clients mentioned that he spent a good portion of his allotted writing time simply trying to figure out what to write about. I suggested that he use his time in the car to reflect on what he was going to tackle next in his manuscript. He followed my advice (I love that!) and has noticeably increased the number of pages he writes each week.
“Thinking about past experiences [that I want to include in my book] during drive time allows me to change the channel,” he told me. “Instead of stressing out about things I can’t do anything about—like work or my kids—I think about my book.”
The mental escape not only allowed him to relax, it triggers memories and ideas. That, in turn, allows him to jump into his writing much more quickly. He doesn’t have to gear up because he’s already there. He’s given himself a writing head start.
It’s almost like cheating. By the time his writing session rolls around, he’s ready for action. At the very least he knows what he’s going to write about that day. At best, the hardest part–the thinking–will have been done, so he can just go.
My pups know all about gearing up so they can go. They jump in the car full of anticipation, then settle in. While one of them admittedly curls up for a nap, the other three keep their noses airborne for an indication of where we’re headed. The moment they smell the park, the sound effects kick in. They graduate to wailing and doggy-dancing once we pull into the parking spot. Primed and ready for action, they dart out the barely-opened door, bark for the ball and then race off on yet another adventure.
Can you imagine how productive we would all be if we greeted each writing session with such practiced anticipation and preparation? Let’s try. You just have to promise me that if you break into any doggy dancing, you’ll send photos.
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