Get a full screen text editor.
Since I make a living largely by writing at the moment, it’s important to keep ideas flowing. Even within the first two months of starting my new job, this has become hard to manage. New ideas come slowly, distractions become awfully tempting, projects other than writing begin to take on enormous significance.
Forcing yourself into writing mode is sometimes tricky, so I’ve found that using a full-screen text editor (I use WriteRoom from Hog Bay Software) is extremely helpful. If I absolutely need to start writing something, I open WriteRoom. Because it takes over the whole screen, I am forced to stare at a plain white screen until I have written something on it. No sweeties for me until I’ve finished my homework.
Inevitably, the plan has a flaw: I am writing this at the moment, whilst I should, of course, be writing for my work. I just can’t bear staring at that blank screen any longer, and in retaliation to it’s ceaseless emptiness words are flowing from my fingers to the screen, documenting my frustration and anger.
I am, however, writing something at least. That’s got to be a good start…
I feel your pain.
I’m trying to get to grips with designing a web site for the first time since html was born. It’s a tad different from the good ol’ days… I blame it on Gordon.
Also writing a manual. Chapter headings – done. I shall now fanny around debating with myself on the pros and cons of table of contents vs. index. Then I need to wonder about writing in the first of third person.
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Quote of the day, from Dave Cameron:
“If my mother had wheels she’d be a bicycle.”
How long before someone whinges about wheelchair-bound people? (submitted 12:27, 23 Oct)
Tizzy
October 23, 2008 at 12:27 pm