10 things I've learnt from writing a book so far

I'm now 55,000 words into my book's first draft and I've learnt a few things which I thought I'd share:

1. Get up early in the morning to write. e.g. 6 am. I tried writing late at night and got into a counter-productive routine of falling asleep at 10.30 pm, waking up at 2 am and working for a couple of hours - maybe that's your ideal time to write. But I've found the morning to be best for me.


2. Give yourself the chance to write the 'crap first draft'. I was listening to a podcast by Merlin from 43folders.com. Talking about productivity + being afraid of not having the ability to succeed he spoke of an author who always gives herself this chance, and then from that she might craft it down and only use a tiny fraction of the original draft, but in order to get it all out she doesn't restrict herself. No matter what you will write, you'll have to go back and do lot's of crafting and editing.


3. Keep a really tidy workplace - with good lighting, no distractions (and no alternative things that can easily be ventured into).


4. Music. I'm very fussy with what I listen to when I write. Some things have been working and some not. For example, Chopin's piano sonata's, Vangelis's soundtrack to Antarctica, Igor Stravinsky- The Firebird, Mike Oldfield's Music of the Spheres is perfect and Hans Zimmer's The Last Samurai soundtrack. If it goes a little bit too epic, cheesy, choral, floral, frenetic, catchy or whatever then it starts to be distracting.


5. Read, read, read. I'm presently reading A Walk in the Mountains of Georgia by Tony Anderson.


6. Take notes and keep a detailed journal whilst you travel. I kept a journal throughout my journey so far. It's been absolutely vital for remembering details. From reading it back, it triggers further memories, and I'm able to weave the storyline. It's an incredibly rewarding experience as I am able to research further into stories and information I noted at the time- like retracing the route.


7. Look at photos and video. I took a lot of photos so far and the podcasts that were produced at the beginning were brilliant for taking me right back to the moment and what I was thinking and feeling. They have been very useful for writing. After all, a picture tells a thousand words.


8. Don't try to do too much at once. I write for a maximum of 2.5 hours. I'm normally writing from 6.30am to 8.30am. But it depends on the individual.


9. A rest is good. Sometimes it's good to take a couple of days off and come back to your writing really refreshed and enthusiastic.


10. Sometimes its good to plough on. On the contrary, I find it sometimes good to force myself to keep writing, because sometimes you might be being over critical, over analysing. For me, it takes me a short while to get into the zone, so I try to suspend judgement and keep writing until I'm sure I am going to stop.

One more:

I drink tea, not coffee. I drink coffee for websites. Drinking tea is more calming. I don't want my thoughts bouncing around like a pinball machine when I'm trying to string them out on the page.