\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/8805-Getting-Yourself-in-the-Mood.html
Noticing Newbies: March 14, 2018 Issue [#8805]

Newsletter Header
Noticing Newbies


 This week: Getting Yourself in the Mood
  Edited by: Sara♥Jean Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

** Image ID #1786860 Unavailable **


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B0CJKJMTPD
Product Type: Kindle Store
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Letter from the editor

Getting Yourself in the Mood

We all have different ways of getting ourselves in the right mindset for completing any kind of task, including writing


Have you ever found yourself sitting and staring trying to complete a task, and you just can't? For whatever reason, you can't focus. And I don't mean just writing - I mean any task. Something you need to complete for work, a housework task, a project, anything you have put your mind to, but you just can't figure out where to begin.

I find that everyone has their "zen", for lack of a better term. Their optimum working environment where they are most productive.

For some of us, it's a room full of relaxing music. For some, it's a room that's completely silent. For some of us, maybe there's an audiobook in the background, or classical music, or the comforting sounds of white noise, or ocean sounds. Then, alongside it, maybe we need our favorite cold drink, or coffee, or iced latte, or lemonade, or iced tea. Some prefer to write on a notebook, while others prefer a computer.

Me, you ask? I'm a list maker. When I find myself absolutely overwhelmed with the unbelievable amount of tasks I need to accomplish... I make lists. And then, I prioritize those lists, so I can make sure the things I really need to do happen first. And if I just can't, then I ask my boss to help me prioritize those lists. My really bad weeks, I don't make those lists until... like Wednesday, and then I feel awful, because I feel like Monday and Tuesday were wasted. (Not that they really were, but I feel like I didn't get as much done as I could have - which I probably didn't, but I never get nothing done, if that makes sense.)

Can you believe... I even schedule in fun, because that's how lame I am. Because if I don't, I might forget to have it.

I schedule in that I need to pull away and take a break, or take a nap, or write my newsletter. I remind myself in my lists that I need to breathe and eat some chocolate, or watch another episode of The Voice, or Storage Wars. Because before I did that, I'd work all the time, or I'd forget to do things to relax. It wasn't the greatest for my health.

BUT... it helps me to cross things off of my list, I can see what is getting done, and remove them one at a time, and add them when I need to. It does help.

Writing isn't a whole lot different. When you're staring at your screen, and you're stuck, it means the setting isn't right. You need to change things, and make your environment optimum for your writing. I make lists, but what is it that you do that makes you the most productive writer? (YES, for my writing, I make lists, too. Think about my last newsletter about outlines. What is an outline? It's a fancy, organized, layered list... I really am a list maker.) Don't blame your muse, change your environment. Make your environment one that makes you be the best you.


Editor's Picks

Don't forget to leave our new members some feedback!

 The Dragon Hunt  Open in new Window. (E)
Two knights test their fate by attempting to slay the dragon.
#2152172 by Nate Stone Author IconMail Icon


 Lament Sonata Open in new Window. (13+)
When a composer loses her beloved
#2152142 by VacuumTheCucumber Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2152133 by Not Available.


 Underneath Cherry Blossom Trees Open in new Window. (E)
This was prompted by a "Suddenly Sunday" post, but my response was a bit too long...
#2152121 by Hannie Angel Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2152089 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2152078 by Not Available.


 
STATIC
The Monster Open in new Window. (E)
A poem I wrote after reading a series of books by Ellen Hopkins
#2152075 by Elizabeth Ste. Marie Author IconMail Icon


 How Could You Not? Open in new Window. (E)
A poem about her: Bright but mysterious, Like the sun on a stormy day.
#2152067 by B. Worthy Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B07K6Z2ZBF
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Ask & Answer

Here are those that responded to me in "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (February 14, 2018)Open in new Window.:

Angus Author Icon said, "Thank for this great Newsletter, Sara Jean! Outlines do seem a little out of date, but years ago I realized the importance of making one. I wrote 250 pages of a novel before I ended up writing myself into a corner; I had to go back and get rid of 1/2 of those pages! All because I didn't start out with an outline!
Aaargh!
Write on, my friend!"

Oh, I don't think I've ever been that far along when I've had to scrap it all, but I've nearly rewritten an entire story because I realized it was going off in a way that I couldn't manage it, and I had no idea what was going on. Outlines can really help control those type of situations, definitely! There is a limit to allowing a story write itself. ~ S*Heart*J

Crow Author Icon said, "Hello, Sara. Outlining was a preliminary form I never really used, even in my preaching days. I always typed out my sermons as full manuscripts. For me, I believe it was my desire to fully express my thoughts to the letter. Now that I have written for so many decades, I can see your point, especially when writing a full-length article or story. It's funny really because I do believe in storyboarding which I would imagine is just another version of outlining.

Thanks for your words,
Crow"

I do think storyboarding is a form of outlining, yes. There are a lot of different forms, now. Basically, finding a way to lay out your plans without writing out every word would be a form of outlining, in my opinion. ~ S*Heart*J

The question for this newsletter is as follows:

I'm a list maker. What do you have to do to get yourself refocused when you find you can't focus?

Write in the "Send a comment or question to the editor" box below to let me know what you think, and I'll include your response in my next newsletter!

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B004PICKDS
Amazon's Price: Price N/A

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/8805-Getting-Yourself-in-the-Mood.html