Favorite writing helpers

Cool topic :) I bet there's a lot of good ideas, and I love your crayon idea, and I always get good ideas in the shower, too, and sometimes you're exactly right; they're gone by the time I'm out.

When I'm just trying to get words done or get through a difficult scene, I put the timer on for 15 minutes. I write for that whole 15 minutes, going as fast as I can, and sometimes it really works well.

Another thing is to use a cassette recorder and talk to myself. I could talk without the cassette recorder, but for some reason the recorder gives me the impression that someone (an interested someone, of course) is listening.

What on earth are shower crayons? This sounds like something I could use in my daily life.

I know you're not looking for programs, but I just started using the program "Write or Die" and my friend I was writing with was absolutely delighted when it started singing "peanut butter jelly time!" at me when I stopped writing. I have only written for an hour so far today, but I have about 1600 words for the day.

No man is so good as to be free of sin nor so evil as to be worthless.

The shower crayons are just that, crayons that are somewhat water resistant, but will wash off most showers/bathtub. Crayola makes them - those are the ones I picked up, but I'm sure other companies do as well. The set I got has a bunch of different colors so I can make notes in different colors for different characters, etc.

What's been helping me out a lot, and is something that I started doing while writing papers in college, is taking breaks from writing and going outside and doing something.

I just need to get away from the mental workout for a while and go do something physical. Yesterday, since it was moderately dry, I started raking up leaves. Today, I'll probably be out in the barn doing something.

I also have a soundtrack set up that plays throughout, but I have select songs that I play while writing certain scenes where I'm looking for a specific emotion or mood. Most of it is instrumentals with your typical mozart, bach, beethoven, etc... though I have some Jazz in there, some big band, Sinatra, Brando, and such. I find that it occupies the part of my mind that wants to go back and proofread and edit.

The shower crayons idea is interesting and something that I might try some time.

2009 - This Rising Darkness - Winner*

I eat. Silly as it sounds, if I make myself something hot or warm, then I try to get a good idea down before my food cools off. It's a funny little challenge to myself.

I also take breaks by getting up and playing the piano or petting my cat or throwing in a load of laundry or walking around the house or watching the birds or somesuch before getting right back to it. I'm a slave to this computer, and I want to make my goal. This is my first nano year. I can write for hours on end.

Sometimes I make a phone call to someone who understands this madness, tell them that I'm on a 5, 10, 20, 30, 60-minute break, and do one of two things:
talk all about my writing
OR
say nothing, and I mean nothing, about my writing.

I tell my husband my word count several times throughout the day. He's a salesman and does a lot of driving. He calls me a lot during his day, and lately the first words out of his mouth are: And what's the magic number now? He is thrilled at my progress.

Also, I read him parts that I have either JUST written, or that I'm having trouble with, and let him comment. He's not a writer, but he IS a terrific listener and encourager. He makes suggestions along the way, too, and some of them are actually very helpful.

HI Mhray, and all you other serious writer's. I have a whirlpool bath and I'm in it at least two or three time per week, and while I'm laying there soaking the best idea's come to mind, so this year, I placed a legal pad and pen in the top drawer of my handy rolling caddy right by the tub, and I have a hand towel folded neatly on top, so I can dry my hands, open the drawer, reach in and grab my writing tablet, and start writing. I've found myself doing this quite a bit lately! :) the candles are a bummer to see by, so now I have to leave my bedroom light on, and the bathroom door open just slightly... :) And don't forget to wipe the edge of your tub off first! :)
Have fun writing!
Diana

2006 Blind Aspiration *Winner*
2007 Untitled *Winner*
2008 Blind Escape *Winner"

Wow! That's a great idea Kara, right along with the Crayon idea! I'll have to try recording while I'm walking on my tread mill. I usually listen to my audio books, on my husbands Karaoke Machine that I bought him a few years back. Lucky me, he likes, and still uses his old one. He says the old one has better sound for his singing.. I'll definitely have to turn the pace down while talking into the tape though, wouldn't want to sound too excited! :) I can play it back while I'm typing it out on my computer!
When ya have an open mind, there's always so many things you can learn and do differently... And because of that, I think this idea page is excellent...
Thanks for sharing!
Have fun writing!
Diana

2006 Blind Aspiration *Winner*
2007 Untitled *Winner*
2008 Blind Escape *Winner"