Why Reading Helps You Start Writing After 60
Before you pick up that pen or open your laptop, I have a little secret to share: Don’t start writing, start reading.
Sounds backward, doesn’t it? But it works.
Sometimes, before you dive into your story, you just need to fall in love with words again. Reading reminds you why you wanted to write in the first place.
Before One Is a Writer, One Is a Reader
If you’re having trouble getting started, give yourself permission to just read for a while. Take three months, yes, three whole months and simply read.
No pressure to write anything. No guilt. Just reading.
Read the books you love. Read the ones that make you laugh, cry, or think, “I wish I’d written that!” Read books like the ones you’d like to write.
And while you’re at it, keep a reading log.
Write down the titles, authors, and what you loved about them. Did the opening grab you? Did you like the characters, the tone, the humor, or the message? What didn’t you like? All of this teaches you what kind of writer you want to be.
Learn from the Writers You Admire
When you read widely, you’re studying how stories work without even realizing it.
You’ll start noticing things like:
- How writers begin a story and pull you in.
- How they transition between ideas.
- How they use humor or emotion to keep readers hooked.
And here’s the best part: You’ll learn how to do it your way.
Reading Sparks Writing Inspiration
Reading fills your creative well. You can’t pour from an empty cup, right?
The more you read, the more ideas you’ll have. You’ll find yourself saying, “Oh, I could write something like that, but with my twist.”
Before long, you’ll feel that familiar itch to start writing again.
My Favorite Reading Tip (And a Little Story)
One of my nieces gave me a beautiful reading journal a while back. Each page lets you jot down what you read, when you read it, what you loved, what made you laugh, even what didn’t work.
Now I use it to track everything from fiction to travel books to memoirs. It helps me see patterns such as what stories really move me, and what kind of stories I want to tell.
So, if you’re serious about writing, start by filling your reading journal. You might be surprised how quickly those pages inspire your own.
Read. Reflect. Then Write Boldly.
Reading isn’t procrastination. It’s preparation.
When you give yourself time to read, you’re building the foundation for writing with confidence and joy. You’re reminding yourself of the beauty and rhythm of language, and giving your creativity a gentle nudge.
So, before you start typing, grab a book.
Let it teach you, inspire you, and remind you why your story deserves to be told.
And when you are ready to start writing, read my article, How to Start Writing After 60.
How to Start Writing After 60: Because Our Stories Matter
So, how do you start writing after 60? Simple. You just start.
We know our stories matter. We’ve lived long enough to know that. We’ve seen, learned, and experienced more than we sometimes give ourselves credit for.
If we don’t write our stories, someone else might, and chances are, they won’t tell them the way we would. Our stories deserve to be told by us. The ones who’ve lived them, laughed through them, and survived them.
Deciding What You Want to Write About
Once you’ve decided you want to write, that’s the easy part. The tricky bit is figuring out what to write about.
If you’re anything like me, your head is full of ideas – stories, lessons, experiences, maybe even a few life skills worth sharing. That’s wonderful! But it can also feel overwhelming.
Ask yourself:
- What story do I most want to tell?
- What lessons do I want to leave behind?
- Which experiences could help, encourage, or entertain someone else?
When the Excitement Fades
Many new writers start strong with a few pages here, a chapter there, and then hit a wall. Life gets busy, the inspiration fades, and self-doubt creeps in.
If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. Every writer, beginner or seasoned, faces that moment when they think, Who am I to call myself a writer?
Busting the Myths That Hold You Back
Let’s clear a few things up:
- You don’t need a degree in writing to be a writer.
- You don’t need to publish a book to tell your story.
- You definitely don’t need to be perfect.
You only need curiosity, courage, and the willingness to start, even if it’s messy.
Finding the Time and Discipline to Write
You might still be working, caring for loved ones, or juggling a dozen or more responsibilities. Writing doesn’t require endless hours, just a few consistent moments.
Try this:
- Set aside 15 minutes a day.
- Write one paragraph.
- Don’t edit. Just write.
It’s amazing what a few minutes can do when you make them a habit.
Remember, Your Story Matters
You’ve lived through decades of laughter, lessons, challenges, and triumphs. Someone out there needs to hear your version of life.
Write it down for yourself, for your family, for someone who needs to know they’re not alone. Because your story, in your words, has power.
How to Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed When You Write: Little by Little
Writing can feel overwhelming sometimes, can’t it? The deadlines, the ideas swirling around, the pressure to get it all done—it can be a lot. If you’re feeling this way, take a moment to breathe and look to nature for some wisdom.
There’s an African proverb that says, “Little by little, the bird builds its nest.” Think about that. Birds don’t try to build their nests all at once. They don’t gather everything they need in one trip. They work steadily, piece by piece, until their home is ready. What if we approached our writing (and life!) the same way?
Why Writers Feel Overwhelmed
At the start of a new year, it’s easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of resolutions and goals. You know the drill: “This is the year I’m going to write that book, launch that blog, finish that project…” Then you pile on even more—things you didn’t get to last year, new ideas you’ve dreamed up, and maybe a few ambitious “stretch goals” for good measure.
And then? It feels like too much. You get stuck, procrastinate, or burn out before you even really start. Sound familiar?
Little by Little: A Sanity-Saving Strategy
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to do everything at once. In fact, you shouldn’t. Instead, break your writing into smaller, manageable chunks. Be like that little bird building its nest.
Start small. Write one paragraph, one scene, or one blog post. Celebrate that win, then move on to the next. Little by little, you’ll build something amazing without driving yourself crazy.
Set Realistic Goals
Here’s another tip: don’t overload your plate. Pick one, two, or maybe three key writing goals for the year. That’s it. If you get through them, great! If not, it’s still okay.
Trying to juggle six or ten big goals will only throw off your mental balance. Instead, focus on doing fewer things well. This way, you’re less stressed, more productive, and able to enjoy the process.
Create Space for Peace
Writers need peace of mind to do their best work. Here are a few ways to protect yours:
- Stop Working at a Set Time: If you can, stop writing after 5 or 6 PM. Give your brain a chance to rest.
- Prioritize Sleep: Sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Make it a priority.
- Take Breaks: Schedule downtime to relax, recharge, and connect with friends and family.
- Simplify Your Routine: Don’t overcomplicate things. Focus on what really matters.
Writing One Step at a Time
If you’re working on a big project, like a book, it can feel intimidating to think about the whole thing at once. Instead, break it down. Write a chapter, a page, or even just a single paragraph. Then another.
Each small step is progress, and before you know it, you’ll have a finished piece. Writing doesn’t have to be a marathon sprint—it’s more like a series of manageable strolls.
Let Nature Be Your Teacher
Nature is a wonderful teacher if we take the time to observe it. Birds, for example, don’t stress about building a nest. They take their time and eventually create something sturdy and beautiful.
What can you create if you approach your writing with that same patience and persistence?
Enjoy the Journey
Writing isn’t just about the finished product—it’s about the process, too. Take time to enjoy it. Celebrate the little victories along the way. Each word, sentence, and paragraph you write is a step toward something bigger.
And remember, just like the bird builds its nest one twig at a time, you can build your writing life little by little.
For more inspiration, check out these two other articles I wrote: See Like a Writer and Write About What You See and Don’t Wait to Feel Inspired: Tips to Get You Writing When You Don’t Feel Like It.
Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Writing Journey?
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Keep Writing Even If It Seems That No One Is Reading
It’s tough, isn’t it? I know. The process of writing, choosing the perfect words, investing time in research, and not to mention, the tireless editing and revising. Keep writing.
You pour your heart and soul into creating a blog post, article, or book, only to be met with silence. No comments, no likes, and certainly no sign-ups to your mailing list. It leaves you wondering: Is anyone out there? Does anyone care about what I have to say? Keep writing.
It is at moments like these that it becomes crucial that you keep writing, because here’s the truth—someone is reading. Someone is listening. Someone is hearing your words. Even if you can’t see it in the numbers or the comments section, you are making an impact on that one person. And that, my fellow writers, is what truly matters.
Sure, it’s disheartening not to see an avalanche of feedback, but take heart in the knowledge that your words are connecting with at least one individual. You are helping, inspiring, or entertaining that one person. Your unique perspective, experiences, and insights matter to them.
So, the next time you doubt whether anyone is reading or listening, remember the one person who is. Your impact goes beyond the metrics, and that’s something to be proud of.
Thank your readers, whether they are few or one. Consistently show up for them by writing, even when it feels challenging (trust me, I’m still grappling with this too). I have to remind myself all the time that by consistently delivering content, you and I can strengthen our connection with our existing audience and lay the groundwork for reaching more readers in the future.
Dear writers, when you’re tempted to put down the pen or close the laptop, remember that your words matter, and your impact is real. Your readers, be they many or few, appreciate what you bring to their lives. And When motivation wanes, and discouragement tries to sneak in, read this article again and remember: you are making a difference, one reader at a time.
Here’s another article you may find helpful, Don’t Wait to Feel Inspired: Tips to Get You Writing When You Don’t Feel Like It.
#writinginspiration #writingmotivation #keepwriting
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Boost Your Business by Writing a Book
If you run a business, odds are not many people know about you or your business. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as potential clients don’t always need to know your name or your business’s name to find you. There’s a way to boost your business, and that’s by writing a book.
When people require a product, service, or answers to their questions or problems, they generally don’t search for a specific person or company, unless it’s a major corporation. Instead, they turn to the internet, using search engines to type in their queries.
That’s exactly what I did when I sought information on international travel tips and staying healthy while on the road. My intention was to share this valuable information with our clients through blog posts and articles.
Position yourself as an expert
Searching online led me to “Travel 911: A Health Guide for Adventurers,” a book authored by Dr. Yvette McQueen. I was impressed by the wealth of professional insights she provided. It gave me exactly what I needed.
Only upon finishing the book did I realize that Dr. McQueen is not just a physician but also the owner of a business offering consulting, coaching, and travel medical services for individuals, groups, tour guides, and tour operators, both nationally and internationally.
Remember, I didn’t purchase the book because I knew her or her business. I had no prior knowledge of her name or her business. I bought the book because it directly addressed and answered my questions, effectively solving my problem. “Travel 911: A Health Guide for Adventurers” is a prime example of how writing a book can help boost your business.
Provide value and mention your business at the end
The primary objective when writing your book is to provide your clients and potential clients with valuable information, tools, answers, and solutions based on your knowledge, experience, and passion. Sales and royalties from the book aren’t the top priorities; meeting your audience’s needs is.
After reading Dr. McQueen’s book, I checked out her website and the services she offers. Now, I’m considering working with her in the future. If I hadn’t searched for travel tips online, I would never have discovered Dr. McQueen and her business. By crafting a book that showcases her expertise and briefly mentioning her business at the end, she managed to reach many more potential clients than traditional paid advertisements or other methods.
So, why not start writing your book today? You already have the content at your fingertips. Create a valuable marketing tool – write your book!
If this post has been helpful, join my email list today and get your free Write a Book to Promote Your Business: A Writing Strategy Guide to Help You Get Started, and check out my other article, Write a Book to Promote Your Business
See Like a Writer & Write About What You See
Stuck on what to write about and suffering from writer’s block? Then here’s an antidote that might help. Give yourself permission to take time out to look around you. Take a walk. There are writing ideas all over the place. Look around you and be inspired by people, landscapes, objects, animals … the list is endless.
A writer sees beyond face value. The landscape itself holds an abundance of stories. Some people walk by a bush and see a bush. A fiction writer walks by that same bush and sees something looking out back at him. Others imagine what happened around that bush, or wonder about the wee people that call the bush home, or the spirits that once inhabited the branches and roots and endowed it with magic.
Or perhaps the imagination leads a writer to weave stories around the lives of the countless people who walked past that bush during the week, or maybe they think about the unseen ones that have also walked past that same bush. The people we never ever see.
Same scene, different writers, and separate stories.
A nonfiction writer looks at the bush and notices how the plant is growing, where it is growing and why. And what is that plant, its name, they wonder? What are its properties. What is it used for? Is it beneficial to humanity. They see past first glances and notice such things such as color, fruit, if any, shape of leaves, veins, serrated or rounded edges, and all sorts of other questions begin to wind themselves around the brain. Is the plant friendly or hostile or afraid and defensive?
So same bush, different writers and separate unique perspectives, narratives and stories.
Think like the writer that you are. The inspiration for stories abounds, even in fruits and vegetables. Here is one my personal experiences.
Inspired by palm kernels
Gazing upon a bunch of palm nuts one afternoon, the deep rich orangey-red and brown color of the flesh of each palm kernel captivated me. I found myself asking, why does it grow the way it does? I looked at it and marveled, Wow! Look at nature’s beauty in the heart shape of the prickly bunch of palm fruit. It’s heart shape heart led me to thoughts about love and specifically, to the love of The Creator who provides such good food for us.
That’s how writers think when they see, and then they get to work. Writing. Creating.
In my example, I could write about the nature of this plant and delve into everything about palm kernels, palm trees, cultivation, benefits, how to make palm oil, effect of palm tree plantations on the environment, cooking with palm oil, recipes, and so on.
Or, I could take a more philosophical approach and write about the bounty of nature, the importance of taking care of what we have been endowed with, and spiritual matters about God’s creations.
And still yet, I could weave a story about the caretakers of the forest, real or imagined, who reside among and within palm trees.
You see? Writers, published or not, can’t help themselves. They see and write.
It’s natural. They’re always thinking of writing, even if not consciously; observing all the time and writing stories in their mind. How many times has it happened to you? You’re reading something and find yourself changing the scenery in your mind, or re-writing the dialogue, or re-imagining the story going this way, or that way?
So those things are little bits of inspiration for you. Just look all around you and wonder.
I guess that’s it really – curiosity and wonder are crucial to inspiration.
Save this article and the next time you get stuck, read it again and then give yourself permission to take a walk. Look around you and be inspired.
If you have enjoyed reading this post and found it helpful, you might be interested in reading my other articles, Don’t Wait To Feel Inspired: Tips to Get You Writing When You Don’t Feel Like It and Not Sure What To Write About, Then You’ve Missed A Step and Why Writing By Hand First Can Help You Write Better.
Don’t Wait To Feel Inspired: Tips to Get You Writing When You Don’t Feel Like It
When it comes to writing, don’t wait to feel inspired.
If you wait to write only when you feel inspired, then you won’t finish. At best, it will take you much longer to write that paper, report, article, blog post or book you are trying to write.
Waiting to feel inspired is just not going to work, especially if you are, or want to be, a professional writer, or if writing is a large part of your livelihood and the way you make some income.
Here are some quotes and tips to get you writing again when you feel least inspired.
“I don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work.”
~ Pearl S. Buck
Writing is hard work. Think of your writing as a job and you are the employee. You are accountable to your employer by the end of the day. The only difference here is that you are the employer and as such, you should expect your employee to do the work that you are paying them to do.
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
~ Stephen King
The answer sounds easy, just go ahead and put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard and write. But that’s easier said than done.
We all have those moments when we just sit and stare and wait for inspiration that doesn’t seem to come. Here are some common reasons that stop people from writing, and suggestions on how to overcome inertia and get the words flowing again.
You’re not sure what to write about.
“Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five of six of them. Most people don’t see any.”
~ Orson Scott Card
If you are stuck on what to write about, think about why you wanted to write whatever you are writing about in the first place. Why are you writing this blog post, this article, this report, or this book? Write down why you are writing it as if you are telling someone about it. Just keep going. This exercise will generate more topics or plot idea as you follow through on this. As you continue with your written conversation with yourself, keep thinking of who you are writing for.
You know what you want to write about, but you’re just not sure how to keep going.
“Address the people you seek, and them only.”
~ Claude C. Hopkins
The solution to this problem goes back to remembering who you are writing for – your ideal reader. If you were your ideal reader, what would you want to know? And in what order do you want the story or the information to flow? Write for yourself as your ideal reader.
If the words still don’t flow, take a break. Go for a walk, exercise, or read a book. After 30 minutes, get back to work. Read over the last five pages you have written and be inspired by your own writing. You are jump starting from your own words.
If that still doesn’t work, start writing anything. Write. Tell your ideal readers what you just did. Tell them about what you just read, or something about the walk you took. You can even write about not feeling inspired to write.
A strange thing begins to happen as you share your thoughts with your readers in this exercise. You are giving your brain a chance to get back into the creating mode. The cobwebs clear and the inertia begins to fade. Your thoughts start flowing again and before long, you are back to writing.
You feel uncertain that you know enough compared to what others are doing. You are discouraged.
“The most important thing in writing is to have written. I can always fix a bad page. I can’t fix a blank one.”
~ Nora Roberts
Don’t fall for this fallacy, often referred to these days as “imposter syndrome.” Don’t compare yourself to others. Tell yourself, if they can do it, so can you. Believe that you are unique and so is your voice. No-one else can write the way that you write. Your voice, style, expertise and experience are uniquely yours.
You’re not sure that anyone is interested in the stories you want to tell, or the information you want to share.
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
~Maya Angelou
This goes back to remembering who you are writing for – your ideal reader. Your ideal reader wants to hear from you, and that ideal reader could be one or could be thousands. It does not matter. Write for that one reader who wants to hear from you and give that reader your all. Imagine that one person who needs to hear from you and looks up to you to tell the story or impart the information that only you can provide.
All writers experience these feelings at one time or another. But the important thing is to just keep going. It is the only way to finish. I will end with these final quotes:
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
~ Louis L’Armour
“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”
~ Richard Bach
If you have enjoyed reading this post and found it helpful, you might be interested in reading my other articles, Not Sure What To Write About, Then You’ve Missed A Step and Why Writing By Hand First Can Help You Write Better.
When To Write A Book To Promote Your Business
Writing a book is one of the most effective ways to promote or market your business.
You can write it yourself, or you can work with a book coach to help you write it, or you can hire a ghostwriter to write the whole thing for you.
You already have a niche audience who wants to hear from you
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why writing a book to promote your business is a good idea.
Think about it. If you own your business, then you already have experience and expertise in your field. When you write a book about the business you’re in, all you are doing is sharing your wealth of knowledge with your readers.
Your ideal readers are the people who are interested in the types of products or services that your business offers. They are your present and future clients or customers.
As a published author and entrepreneur, you will be perceived as a credible expert in your field and stand out from your competitors.
You’ll reach a wider audience of potential clients or customers.
Writing a book to promote your business can lead to other lucrative opportunities. Someone who reads your book – an individual, or company CEO – may get in touch with you to purchase your book in bulk for their employees.
You may be invited to speak at an event, or perhaps become a consultant for a multinational firm or to appear on tv shows or podcasts.
When your readers consider purchasing products or services from businesses like yours, they will remember you.
And finally, you have the opportunity to add your company story and contact information at the end of the book.
Here’s my story
I’m a writer and an editor. I edit fiction and non-fiction children’s books across all genres and formats, from picture books to teen/young adult. I also edit nonfiction books for adults.
But, I am also in the travel business and co-own a travel and tour operator company based in Ghana and the USA.
In 2017, I noticed that an increasing number of African Americans were considering moving to Ghana. Since I’m very familiar with much of the country and live in Ghana for at least half of the year, I decided to write a book about what it’s like to move to Ghana.
What better way to combine my experience, knowledge, research skills and love of Ghana than to write a book.
In 2018, I wrote and published, “Moving to Ghana: The Essential Things You Need To Know.” I used the book to share what I know about life in Ghana. My focus was on delivering the valuable information my readers wanted and needed.
My ideal readers are people considering moving to Ghana. I had a clearly defined audience that I was writing for. My ideal readers are also our ideal travel clients.
What I didn’t do was write a book to promote my business. I just wanted to be there for them, and to answer the questions they had and offer solutions.
I wanted to establish myself and our company as a “go-to” source of information and assistance for whenever they were ready to travel or move to Ghana.
By writing a book, our company gained visibility, and stood out as credible and knowledgeable about traveling to Ghana and possibly making it a new home.
So back to you. What business are you in?
What business are you in? Think about what you do and how your business helps your customers. What do people want to know about the business your are in and the services and products it offers. What are your clients’ issues or frustrations? What do they really want? What do they need to know?
Now look at what you do. What can you share with your customers that they would really love to know, or would be helpful for them to know?
Your answers may just be the starting point you need to get started on writing a book to promote your business.
With the ease of self-publishing today, you can write and publish a book, promote your business and position yourself as an expert in your field.
You can do it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
#writing #writingtips #businesswriting
Ready to get started? Join my email list today and grab your copy of Write a Book to Promote Your Business Writing Strategy Guide.
Not Sure What To Write, Then You’ve Missed A Step
You’re ready to write, but all of a sudden, you’re not exactly sure of what to write about, or how to start.
Writer’s Block.
Has that ever happened to you? If it has, then it means you might have missed an important step.
Whether you’re an author writing a book.
Or perhaps you’re a business owner writing a company product or service guide.
Or an employee assigned the task of writing a departmental report.
Or a manager of a nonprofit organization and writing a grant proposal.
Here you have several different writers, but they all have the same problem.
They’re all struggling with the same scenario, sitting at their desks and ready to write. They each have a general idea of what they need to cover, but they are just not sure how to get started.
Sound familiar?
You stare at the blank screen or the pristine white page, but the words don’t come.
The words don’t come because you’ve missed something critical.
Who are you writing for?
The words don’t come, and here’s why.
You have not yet narrowed down who you are writing for. You have to be specific about this.
When you don’t know who your ideal reader is, then you won’t know what to say to them, or how.
Before you write, you have to decide who your reader is and then you’re going to get into their minds and become crystal clear on what they want to know from you. Only then will you be able to write to them.
Once you have identified your ideal reader and keep them in mind as you start to write, you’ll feel the frustration ebb and the words begin to flow.
And in no time at all, you will have written that book, guide, report or proposal.
Know your reader.
Why Writing By Hand First Can Help You Write Better
Writing by Hand is something you can do anywhere, anytime.
Writing by hand (longhand) or direct to computer? I’ll choose pen and paper first. Every time.
I love it.
It all began once upon a time when I was a child in Enugu, Nigeria. My dad used to bring home long sheets of engineering draft paper – unlined white crinkly paper, which we, the kids would spread out on the cool tile floors in our bedrooms and then proceed to lie on the floor writing and illustrating our stories with pencils and crayons.
Writing by hand was a perfect way to spend hours of time
What bliss!
Later in life as I sat in university lecture halls during microbiology, parasitology, organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology and a host of other classes, I’d write copious notes by hand and developed the skill of writing down the essential information I needed to know.
I noticed that I remembered and retained the knowledge I had written by hand, more clearly than just by reading the textbook. In fact, I supplemented textbook reading with my own notes.
I ran across a 2014 Study that indicated what I had noticed all along. You learn and remember more, conceptually, when you take notes by hand. Needless to say, I did quite well in those courses. I really enjoyed them.
It is not inconceivable that writing by hand may help you better remember or keep track of the different aspects and details of your work or storyline as you write as compared to typing it out first.
When I write books, or anything really, I always start with pen and paper. Rarely do I type first. Except for informal email messages. It has something to do with how my brain works.
When I write by hand it’s as though my thoughts form and wrap themselves into cohesion as the impulses flow from my brain down to my fingers.
The creative process occurs at lightning speed as nerve impulses race down my arm and as the words begin to flow from fingers to page.
I am creating as my fingers write. Laser focused.
When I write by hand, everything else fades into the background because my attention is completely centered on capturing all the thoughts before they rush past me.
Ten to fifteen minutes after this process begins, I’ll enter into a zone where my brain works faster and faster and I have to write faster to keep up. And while the first few pages of writing may be rusty or downright bad, the more I write the better, more cohesive the writing becomes.
Ever wonder why sometimes you read over something you’ve written when you were in the zone and you say to yourself, “Wow! This is good.” It almost feels as though someone else wrote it. For me, this is the best feeling in the world. I never get this sensation when I type directly on a keyboard.
And another thing that happens is that when I write by hand and get into the zone, I find that I don’t have to edit as much when I go back over what I have written.
I am fully engaged in creating and editing, consciously and unconsciously.
When creating and typing directly on the keyboard, which I do very occasionally, it actually takes me longer to get a final copy that I’m satisfied with. I don’t seem to get into a writing fast and creatively writing zone.
Perhaps it’s because I’m continually distracted by the blue and red wavy lines popping up on the screen informing me of some mistake.
Or maybe it’s because I’m too busy making sure my fingers are positioned above the correct keys.
I keep having to resist making small corrections in spacing, spelling and grammar as I type. So while typing would seem faster at first, it does not end up saving me time at all.
It seems counter-intuitive, but I save time when I write everything out by hand, and then type and save what I have written.
There’s something so satisfying about seeing the evidence of my writing and creativity on paper in my own handwriting.
I can write wherever I go. All I have to do is carry along pens and paper – on a plane, at the park, library or café. I can write where there is no electricity, no battery charges, no equipment. I can write in bed, or cruising down a river in a small boat!
Just pen, paper and my brain, and I am set.
Here are just a few well-known authors who sometimes write by hand – J.K Rowling, Kristen Hannah, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman and Joyce Carol Oates.
What about you? What’s your experience? What works best for you?
