The Writing Practice

January 25, 2010 · Comments

Chris Brogan signing books Where do you get your ideas for your blog? I get this question a lot. Do you? The question is a bit more telling than the answer, I’m afraid. You see, I have more topics and ideas than I have time to write about. I write two or three posts every time I sit down, and lately, I write a bit for a book at the same time, so that I can give you original book content as well as original daily post content. How is it done?

It’s practice. Practice the verb, in this case.

The Spark of an Idea

Last night, Kat and I were at Ruby Foos in Manhattan for dinner after a movie. The server, Jenna, was pretty good at her job, but when it came time to try and sell us dessert, I noticed a flaw in her service. She said, “Do you think you’re going to have room for dessert?”

The answer to this should always be no. To say yes is to say that you’re gluttonous. It also isn’t very appealing. It requires more questions.

Instead, if Jenna had said, “We make the most amazing molten chocolate cake here,” I might have raised an eyebrow. Even if chocolate isn’t my thing, my head would immediately go to the dessert I wanted, but then I’d already be shopping for it. Make sense?

There. That’s the spark of an idea. Just a little moment in time with a server at a restaurant, and I have something to talk about: suggestive selling and the benefit of leading your prospect.

Sparks are everywhere. We just have to look for them. I look every day. Need more help? Use your phone’s camera. Snap weird things that you see. I write many blog posts based on weird photos that I snap.

From Spark to Fire

Having a good idea is one thing. Turning it into a blog post is another. If you want the complete rundown of what I do each time, check out 27 blogging secrets I’ve given you here. In short, for a blog post to be useful, it has to be useful to more people than yourself.

Fires start when you get them in many minds. If I share something of interest to me, that might only stay a smoldering spark in my head. If I share something that you can run with, now we’re talking. That’s the goal. Always look for ways to turn your spark into a fire that will fuel other people’s imaginations and set them to burning with new ideas.

The Actual Practice of Writing

I’m writing this to you while I’m waiting for someone to get some webinar software rebooted. I find time like this everywhere. I wrote about this in 2006 when I covered time quilting. The thing is, you have to practice writing when you can. I don’t think it’s good enough to say, “I’ll write every morning,” or “I’ll write after the kids go to bed.” When I say this, I understand that you have to find time where you can, but the actual practice of writing is something I want you to try doing all the time.

How?

Think about pieces to write. Jot notes about those pieces. Record little snips of audio or leave yourself voicemail or write on the back of receipts. Whatever you can do, think about what you’re going to write.

Grab paragraphs where you can. I’m writing this paragraph in the back of a town car in the Lincoln Tunnel in New York City. This piece of writing has officially been crafted in three places (I started in an airplane).

Read other people’s stuff. This actually counts as writing practice, provided you read as a writer, and then develop what you need to do to make your writing better from it.

Publish often. Another place where our practice falls down is that we keep tons of drafts of things around, but never publish. Here’s the truth: If it’s not out there, it doesn’t count as much. (Journal keepers, I don’t mean you. Put down the purple pitchforks.) Get your work out there onto the web, onto blogs, into the hands of other people, whatever. Get it out there. The more you publish, the more people will take swings at it, the more people will riff off it, the more you’ll get the chance to get feedback.

If At First You Don’t Succeed

I spent a good chunk of my life believing I was destined to be a fiction author. The moment I threw that away, I found great success writing my blog and then writing a New York Times bestseller. Life throws curveballs. Don’t forget that the practice of writing might lead you somewhere you didn’t anticipate. Be open to this as much as you’re open to anything else in your experiences. You’ll sometimes surprise yourself.

And keep writing. Keep practicing. Keep trying new things. The only way to improve is to work with it, to practice, to learn from what others are saying about you, to learn what you think about others.

So, Practice

And in that practice, share what you find. Okay? Do you find that when you share what you’ve learned it helps you and others? I do. Maybe you will, too. And I hope you share it with us.

What else? What did I miss? What can you add to this?

Photo credit C.C. Chapman

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  • Chris,

    I just recently stumbled upon (not to be confused with Stubleupon) your blog. I'm glad I did. You're good at what you do. Thanks for doing it.

    I used to be a human being who is slowly evolving into a professional blogger machine. I enjoy writing, I've been building a blog for almost two years now, and only recently have I started to reap any of the extrinsic benefits (including a beautiful gf - really). I'm not sure if others will be able to use this advice, but my greatest practice for blogging has little to do with writing or reading (although they undoubtedly help). My greatest asset comes in the form of my lack of apprehension. I'm very opinionated and have trained my brain make sense of the world in my own fashion, not through society's norms. Obviously strong opinions without any knowledge basis makes for a bad situation (see: president US President #43), however a fear of standing out, or trying new things instantly terminates great ideas. Taking a chance, is often where people fail. So many blogs are simply too vanilla because they repackage other people's content. It's like eating at Taco Bell, you can order different shapes, but the ingredients are all the same. I challenge all aspiring Chris Brogan's to push themselves. I challenge all aspiring Chris Brogans to drop their guard. I challenge all aspiring Chris Brogans to do something new. I want a more eclectic blogosphere. I want the Bacon Explosion (google it if you don't know).

    I am going to challenge myself to start using paragraphs correctly.

    Zach
  • Chris,
    I'm like you - I can't write often enough or fast enough to cover all my ideas. I have a running list of at least 50 partially written blog articles. I add to this list constantly. I get ideas everywhere and now use Reqall http://www.reqall.com/ to record my ideas. It is the best thing since sliced bread and it's free! You call a phone number and dictate your idea and it is transcribed to text and sent to you in an email. It saves me so much time! I used to call my own voice mail and leave myself messages that I then had to jot down and put somewhere. Now I can cut and paste from the email.

    I think the "practice" is also about viewing the world from many perspectives, having great curiosity, a certain level of awareness and working the creative thinking muscles. Thanks for your thoughts!
  • As a new blogger, this post was so encouraging to read. I loved hearing where you were writing each section. In my head I imagine all the bloggers that I love sitting down in a big, peaceful office with a view as the words flow easily onto the screen - this made me feel better! Thank you--
  • Hey Chris, i got your name from watching a video by Lewis Howes where he references you as an inspiration to him - i see why. We're new to this as many are. We're having the problem of too many ideas to blog about so i hope this article and your list of 27 ideas helps us focus. Thanks
  • Thanks Chris! I really enjoyed your post. As I was half way through reading it I jumped onto my blog to jot down some ideas for my next post. I like your point "Sparks are everywhere. We just have to look for them." I get excited when I am out at an event and realize that it has inspired me to write on my blog.

    Jessica
  • I often see things that I try describe in my head. I like to play with words and develop the scene from different aspects, like taking a series of photographs with various pieces in focus. It’s fun in a lonely, creepy observer sort of way. However, I don’t have my computer with me often enough to get it down while I am in the moment. Sometimes I have wished that I could refer back, but it’s not there. I think I will take your advice and practice putting it to paper – ugh, writer’s cramp.
  • luisbotero
    Excellent guide and advise Chris. Thanks a lot for your visit
  • Very timely Chris, Doc, and other contributors to the idea sparking process, thank you! The resources and reading material are coming thick and fast for me but blending them with real-world ideas and getting everything down on paper/processor has been an almost overwhelming challenge.

    I like the approach of free form notes, written from a base subject and allowing unfiltered thoughts to flow onto the page. Even if it doesn't lead to a specific piece on that subject, I find it an amazing way to get the creative juices flowing which then leads into more coherent writing. It also spins off new subject bases from which to repeat the process.
  • These are great points Chris - The only thing I can add is don't get really stuck on perfection. Perfection can be a great limiter and when we get stuck in the perfection rut nothing happens. So I say - go for it and fine tune along the way.
  • ralphcarlson
    Reading this post, it occurs to me that instead of dedicating a time slot to post writing, each minute is contributing to the development of stories, lessons, expostulations, etc. Those need to be captured real time and then developed in free moments. Rather than spinning the posts out of abstract thinking, they grow from life experiences and observations.
  • TaylorEllwood
    Good article on writing. I agree with all of your points.
  • Hi Chris! Well put ! I recently had to come up with materials for several speaking engagements. At first I drew a blank then I came up with a theme and wrote an outline of topics around those themes. Now I have PLENTY of things to write about. At least a years worth!
  • Excellent, excellent what can I say...I've enjoyed reading all the comments. I started blogging last year, can say that I truly enjoy it. Some days are better than others for me. As I try to come up with fresh new content daily on the same subject. This year, I have been writing a lot more articles and I find that I get more ideas when I do this. Just reading a book like Doc mentioned gives me an idea for a article are blog post. Thanks to Chris for this post, and Thanks to Doc for the insights he shared. I will certainly use them. I already use the dish washing idea and the walking in nature idea....how funny :)
  • I have found music and quotes to be among the most useful tools in my arsenal. Music from all genres provides commentary on life, be it work, play, love or more. Springsteen was right when he wrote "We learned more from a three minute record than we ever learned in school" No Surrender.

    Just listening to different versions of songs helps.


    Quotes by the famous and obscure work really well too. They help provide a new outlook/perspective and focus to work from and write about. Run a search for quotes about any topic and you'll find plenty of choices.

    Beyond that I always recommend that people make a habit of writing daily. Write, write, write and write some more. That sort of daily practice makes it easier to take advantage of the moments in time that you referrred to.

    And again I have to agree that reading is just as important. Being well read and having a strong vocabulary make it far easier to craft a tapestry of words and images.
  • maureenmetcalf
    Thank you Chris for sharing your process. I like the idea of time quilting, I do not need to have an hour or more to sit and write and also that like other areas of life, writing well takes lots of practice.
  • Thanks once again Chris for these ideas. I read this post over and over again yesterday because I needed to get it and get over my recent fear of writing. I've been reading so many well- written, interesting and thought provoking blogs lately that I've convinced myself that before I publish something (even though the chances are no one will read it ) it has to be perfect! Practice I will do.

    Lois
  • I am really intrigued by the concept of Time Quilting and plan to read that post. For me, time is always the issue because I am admittedly not very strong on time management. The one thing I have been able to do that has significantly improved both the quality and quantity of my writing is being honest with myself about when I am most productive and then maximizing how much I can write at this time.

    For me, I am at my best early in the morning, hence why I get to the office at 6:00am every day and don't even think about client work until 8:00am. My minimum goal is always to publish at least one post one of my blogs during this time, as well as catch up on the editing/posting any that other writers on the blogs have submitted to me. I obviously still write at other times during the day - and hopefully am effective doing so! - but that early morning time is so important for me and though it was tough at first, it has been easy making the trade off to go to bed earlier because I know I need that time in the morning, so getting up later is not an option.

    I'm hoping that by reading more of your posts I can find some other tips for becoming a more flexible writer. Right now, I need long, quiet chunks of time to produce anything I consider worthy of posting. One of my goals is to get better at using short breaks during the day to write either short posts or to write pieces of longer posts.

    Thanks for the insight Chris. I'm really glad I got to see you at the Dallas event last week and that I finally subscribed to your feed. I wish I'd done so long ago, but I'll just have to make up for lost time!
  • ebrenner
    My problem isn't coming up with ideas, it's finding the writing time. I've got a Word file stuffed with ideas and rough drafts, yet I still struggle to meet my (self-imposed) deadlines. I have to give preference paying work (well, I gotta pay the bills and the blog isn't there yet), so the blog gets short-shrift. Then, the blog itself is geeky enough (I write about grammar, usage, etc. at The Writing Resource) that I need to actually research most posts and get the facts correct.

    I think my next stop is your time-quilting post...
  • Hi Chris,

    Being a mother I find ideas in the weirdest places, but not only ideas for online writing also products, creations clothing etc etc. Sometimes I have that many ideas I can't sleep.

    I do agree with the practice though. When I first started writing my blogs I was really nervous and was lucky to make a post once a month or two. Now I write nearly twice a week so things have improved slowly. I think it is also nice when you know people are actually reading your stuff and liking you. That encourages you further.

    Thank you for the tips.

    See you back here soon! :P

    Jacinta :D
  • gacconsultants
    Hi Chris,

    I'm not a writer... don't know the first thing about proper writing; however, you sure can inspire someone to want to be a writer!

    Thank you : )
  • Chris, I'm looking forward to the "instant ocean" post. You got that one in the pipe?
  • When doing the dishes, I identify a topic & then bullet point 3-5 items.

    Once you've done that, you're halfway there. It's just a matter of typing it out.
  • I thought the article was good at exploring that idea of “these kids today!!” I hear it a lot over at Schoolcraft and it makes me nuts. I mean I would love it if all my students “got it” and were putting 100% into everything we did in class, but they have lives. I mean I know many of them that work 40 hours a week, have 4 or 5 classes, and some even have families to support. They are doing the best they can and some of them know they are being pulled in way too many directions. The younger ones who live in the dorms are just that, young. I know when I was that age I did the work but didn’t get how it would impact my life and why I needed to do it all. Yes there are those who don’t care, but that does not mean they are our students. Its like my parents would tell me “in my day” and I really try not to say that becuase it sends the message that somehow I’m not good enough or work hard enough. Each generation has their issues to deal with, as adults we can hear about what the younger ones are going through but never really know.
  • Thank you for share
  • I love Thoreau's quote" "Stand up and live before you sit down and write."

    Be an active participant first in whatever you do, and the ideas will follow. Engage. And then write it all down.

    And oh yeah, quickly avoid adverbs.
  • Chris, I'm so NOT surprised that you were interested in writing fiction!....Do you think you'll ever take another shot at it?
  • One of the view people I've seen mentioning 'reading' as a necessary for ''writing'... and for this I thank you.

    I also thank you for talking about 'time quilting'... we don't always have the time to set a morning, or a day, for writing. But, we all have those little in-between times that can be used productively.
  • Blogs are great to practice writing and get the kinks out after a dry spell. I use mine to flex my muscles before a big piece, or just to keep the words flowing.
    You are a thoughtful writer. Thanks for the spark.
  • Thanks for this post Chris. The funny thing is, I opened it up while I was in the middle of writing a blog post for my own site...which still hasn't been written! I came across about 6 tweets today with great links for writers, and spent way too much time reading about writing instead of actually writing! It's so easy to find reasons to procrastinate...but your tips were really helpful and I will be putting some of them into practice. Now!
  • Writing is a hobby of mine that I want to flourish by writing articles. But I am afraid I may lose a lot of ideas.
  • I liked your bit about the waitress. It's amazing how one small change can make a big difference.
  • sdevon
    Great post and great response from dockane. I've even called myself and left myself a long message while driving so that I don't "lose the thought".

    I must do more though so your post was like a little pep talk ~ thanks!
  • I used to have issues with not writing because I didn't have the time to finish the entire blog post right then. Now, I frequently jot down main ideas. If there's a particular aspect of the idea that I really need to hit on to make the piece, that's what I use my spare 30 seconds or two minutes to do. It's those details that make a piece stand out and it's those details that often slip your mind hours later when you finally sit down at your laptop/netbook/whatever. Notepads are my bff.
  • mrwords
    You seem to focus on things that work for you, which is fine, but tell me how this applies to my writing? The stuff you talk about has been done to death. And anyone blogging or wanting to start a blog should know how to write and have systems in place. This article is pointless.
  • katiewynner
    Blogging is such a helpful exercise for folks that consider themselves "writers." For the longest time I have been encouraging my friends to start writing blog posts as a way to practice their craft - and it rarely works. I think most people like to say that they write without doing any of the actual work, which makes me sad.

    That said, your post is wonderful and I hope that it inspires others to pick up the digital pen and make some outstanding word art.
  • mmmm- Good stuff. It seems that people get stuck or boxed in and second guess. What if no-one reads it or comments upon it, is it good enough,etc. My reaction is good enough for who? Yes we care if people read our posting, I know I do but this does not prevent me from coming up with new ideas. It sparks more as I reach further and delve into new areas to find new ways to get the millions of thoughts and ideas out of my head.

    New ideas are everywhere. The chair across from me with papers on it are filled with words that to someone looking at them would seem like nonsense or trash but to me they are thoughts that are waiting for my fingers to get them posted. Some will make it to the main blog that is tips, ways, how to's, etc but those that are not will have to go elsewhere. Readers expect the tips and enjoy them so to divert from that is bad. Imagine if Brian & Sonia changed the blog one day from content to manufacturing clothing. We'd think they were crazy!

    I received some of the best advice ever from one of the smartest people I know - go and find places to post other ideas and thoughts. Ask to guest blog, post on other platforms:invent new ways to get my thoughts out there while keeping the main blog focused on what I have already done with it. So that I share with all your readers. More work? No, a way to get the thoughts out of your head and have them shared with people who may want to read them. You just might make a few new friends along the way too!
  • I think the process of writing a blog is the best for stimilating the writing process. You can practically write a book with your blog as Seth Godin and David Meerman Scott have done. You get the editing and you get the process. Alot of people talk of talk of writing terms of process. I think you have to embrace the dip of writing too as you mention quiting one topic and coming at it from another angle or changing topic. Finding a topic your passionate about help emmensly too.

    Dara Bell
  • One thing that helped me become a better writer is to get a few sample pieces of my content edited from time to time. This is usually done by my wife, who has witnessed my growth as a writer.

    To think of where I was two years ago as a writer is a little sad and a little funny. To think of where I will be in two years as I writer, is very exciting.
  • spinhead
    I always worry when a client or prospect asks where I come up with writing ideas. My initial reaction is, great googlymooglies how do you turn them off for five minutes?!?

    The one-word answer (to the "where do you get your ideas?" question) is 'curiosity'

    Become curious and you'll never have a shortage of ideas. Gathering ideas mechanically reminds me of someone's comment about using a thesaurus: "Any word you find in a thesaurus is the wrong one."
  • Almost everything you say hear makes sense, but I'm confused by your point 'read as a writer'. I feel kind of naive (I see other people telling you that's a good point) and I can imagine what you might mean, but would you mind explaining that in a little more detail?
  • spinhead
    Although it's written for fiction writers, Francine Prose's "Reading Like a Writer" is a good overview of how to shift your perspective like this

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Like_a_Writer
  • So, when you read as a writer, you're thinking: "how did they DO this? How did they make this make sense? What are they using for words?" Things like that.

    Instead of reading to learn the content, you're reading to learn the craft that created the content.

    For example, Chip and Dan Heath wrote SWITCH so that it'd be a useful blueprint kind of book. You can use their model over and over again in business (or other pursuits) so that if you're Chip and Dan, you then get asked to speak to lots of huge businesses about change management, a topic that never goes out of style.

    By deciding to write a simple blueprint, they did way better than Trust Agents, which is mostly a bunch of ideas grouped into 6 bigger ideas, and without much of a "now go do this" to it.

    Make any more sense?
  • I was thinking along those lines but your example gives me a more concrete picture. Thanks - it does make sense.
  • Hi Chris,
    I have my own method of registering my thoughts, impressions and ideas for the blog posts: I take pictures and notes on the iPhone.
    This way I never run out of ideas and always have some backlog of articles together with my impressions on the moment of taking the notes ready for publishing
  • This is very helpful for "non-writers" like me. It's easy to get bogged down in the technical details of writing. You can really become paralyzed as you plan to set up the perfect routine, find the exact phrase, wait for the perfect time. As General Patton said: "The best is the enemy of the good...a good plan violently executed now is better
    than a perfect plan next week."
  • melindaneely
    I really like your "write when you can" idea, something I have learned the hard way. I was always told to "write in the morning or you won't make the time." The reality is that every morning is different, and writing can take a back seat to phone calls, a child's conference, working on taxes (argh...) or a jog, if it's actually sunny outside. Not to mention, some of my best ideas originate as I pound my way up a hill. (I have to write the ideas down immediately upon my return or I'll forget).
  • Great post! I like the concept of "sparks"; one trick I use is to keep notes in Evernote for ideas and quick jots, I can refer to them later.

    Like dockane's comment on reading different stuff; it provides broader perspective.

    Keep going ElizabethPW; write and write!
  • melissaleon
    I have trouble in formulating a whole idea. I have a kernel and write it out in a blog, reread it and feel that I have not fully expressed my point. I have been writing a workshifting blog for the past 2 days and I still feel that I have not fully explained what I have in my head. But I know you are right, its a matter of practice and publish. Alright now I'm off to try to finish my post.
  • If I leave my apartment without a small pad of paper and a pen I feel naked. I feel like something is seriously wrong. Because of this, I'm always prepared to record good ideas when they sail through my head. Without this practice my blogging career would cease to exist.
  • Sondi
    When I was in journalism school, I would often email a few friends with an article headline and lead, then ask for feedback - did the headline attract them? Would they read past the first line? What questions did the first line elicit? etc. That would give me a good sense of where I needed to go with my writing. I realize everyone doesn't have time to do this, but once in a while can help keep things on track.
  • I keep a file on my Blackberry's Memos app that's specifically for blog ideas. Doing that when i'm on the go has been very helpful for grabbing quick thoughts that have morphed into blog posts. It's a system I follow: Ideas> Memos > pull out best ideas > draft post.

    I second Melanie on "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott. And I would also suggest "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg; it's a great book that can easily be applied to the art of blogging.

    I've also been inspired by many times by reading the blogs of others and then using Google Reader to star favorite posts and store them in a file for when I need a little creative push.

    I'm like you Chris. I often have too many ideas than I have time to write and often i find that some ideas need to be refined or acted on quickly when they're still fresh. It's a fun by difficult balance that takes tons of "Practice."
  • Awesome advice as always! I often have the problem you speak of, millions of ideas running around in my head (this goes for business ideas, x 10) of things to write about. My biggest hurdle, and I'm sure I'm not alone, is getting through the first post - once that's done it becomes so easy, especially if you love/have passion for what you're writing about.

    I especially enjoyed your point about reading other people's work - we don't go into it thinking, "I'm going to become a better writer because I've read this book," but it happens. I think it's natural - like you pointed out in the your Kitchen Table Talk with "Changing the Way You See Everything" - Imitation, and how it helps us figure things out - true n many accounts.

    Keep up the good work, I look forward to continuing to read your nuggets and sparks!
  • Guest
    Great insights on finding ideas and "practice" for success. Writing something whenever you find sometime is a great tip and I have started doing that recently and found I could write more stuff.

    Time is very illusive thing and it just disappears with the blink of an eye. You wake up and get yourself immersed in lots of daily chores before you realize it is 12AM and time for the bed.

    So, fixing a scheduled time for writing has never worked for me. Now, I am writing whenever I find an opportunity, just like this blog comment. Cheers.
  • Stephen King's "On Writing" is one of my favorite resources for how to write.

    In terms of the "time quilting," what I've found to be true for me is that once I decide upon a course of action, the time allotments for me to pursue that action become more readily recognizable.

    It is a combination of the frequency into which I've become attuned and a paradigm shift for what constitutes "availability." If I *really* don't want to write, I could have a cabin in the woods available to me on a weekend with no kids and a magic coffee pot and I wouldn't write.

    If I decided that I want to write, every spare moment open to me is an occasion to write - anywhere, any surface using any material (I've used lipstick liner, BTW).

    It always comes down to focus and intent.

    Thanks for being the muse once again. Best, M.
  • I agree with you on "On Writing." It's one of two books that changed how I write in the best ways. I love your "lipstick liner" comment. : )
  • :)
  • Probably the best advice I ever got about getting ideas was to actively write the opposite of what everyone else is writing. Even (or maybe especially) if you don't agree. So definitely read all the time, but you're not being creative or interesting if you regurgitate what the rest of the blogosphere is saying. So read all the damn time, but then play devil's advocate. It always puts me on a roll...
  • Hmm. The opposite. What if you don't feel that way? Interesting advice.
  • spinhead
    It clarifies your thinking to try to make a genuine case for something you don't believe. I wouldn't publish something I didn't believe, but there's another angle: you can always write 'but what if . . . ?'

    If everyone's writing about Seth's new book, write (and maybe even publish) a post about, "But what if being a linchpin is a bad idea?" and explore possible alternatives. Again, it forces you to clarify your own perspective. Telling yourself a different story is a great way to move toward abundance thinking and openness toward new ideas.
  • Well then you spark some interesting discussion ;-)
  • I find I'm getting better and better at the practice of writing. I like the idea of photos. One of my favorite bloggers does this Drew from Benspark.com. It was based on this idea that I started publishing a blog about the DADvocate Survey data 5 days a week. It's amazing that just by looking at a graph you can get hundreds of ideas.
  • I almost forgot. One of the reasons I branded my website MySpellingSucks is because it does. As a dyslexic ADDer, I had a hard time getting my spelling correct, yes even with spell check. I was frustrated and decided that I needed to get my "muse" out there anyway. I'm glad I did as it has been very rewarding. By the way you may notice spelling mistakes in most my work but that's just part of who I am.
  • Drew is awesome. Truly.
  • I love your restaurant example. I'm starting to blog and have been collecting many, many ideas by using just the practice you described. Inspiration is everywhere, and so many things that *spark* my imagination in everyday life also recall applicable moments from my past that I never would have remembered them if my eyes and ears weren't open all the time. Thanks for sharing.
  • Chris,

    I find too that folks are often puzzled by how to become a great writer and where topic ideas, and business ideas come from. Running a business that has lots of writers, (and business people!) has provided me with a little bit of insight to add to yours:

    1. Read, read, read. You said this, but it can't be said enough.
    2. Read DIFFERENT kinds of material. Non-fiction and fiction, technical and prose. Dare yourself! Like Science Fiction? Read a sci-fi romance novel. (Avatar is one, by the way...) Like Biographies? Read fictionalized biographies. There is SO much variety "in" the variety, that if you read different types of things, your own style will grow each day.
    3. Take a speed-reading course. No joke. They really help. Particularly with magazines, how-tos and other things we can skim through. This way you can read more, and skip the stuff that doesn't help you grow.
    4. ALWAYS carry a notebook with you. I can't tell you how many ideas I've lost by not following this simple principle.
    5. Keep that notebook, or a separate one near your bed. I also can't tell you how many sleepless nights I've had just tossing around ideas in my head when I would have been better off just writing them down and dozing off. Torturing myself into the "I've gotta' remember this idea" struggle just doesn't work very well.
    6. Keep a blog or diary. This is where practice can really pay off. Experiment with different ideas and just write.
    7. Write down your dreams. Lots of great story ideas in there. Seriously. But do it immediately after waking up. Remember the notepad by the bed idea?
    8. Frequent your library and just browse the stacks. It'll hurt your next after awhile, but you'll find old/new ideas in a jiffy. Plus the solitude helps get your brain going.
    9. Do the dishes - by hand, the 'ol fashioned way. Don't put them in the dish-washer. Doing them by hand takes time, is therapeutic, and takes your mind off other stuff so it can wander. Trust me. Some of my best ideas come to me while scrubbing pots!
    10. Go outside if the weather is nice. Hang out in a cafe. People watch. Watch the birds. . .chill out and relax among people and nature. These two things will set your mind racing. Sometimes the mere "action" and noise in a coffee shop, if challenged correctly, can set your mind racing. Likewise, relaxing in a park with a notebook in hand can slow you down enough to focus and/or wander onto new topics.

    Enjoy writing! We can all do it. Find your voice. . .which is quite literally the one you speak with and put pen to paper!

    Cheers,
    Doc
  • While most people thought this Chris's post was about writing, I thought it was about "being useful." Many thanks, Chris, and now Doc, for *that*.

    Doc - "Washing dishes" is based on an old saying "Hands busy. Mind Free." And in "reading other things", I suggest expanding even further: Instruction manuals for clarity and conciseness, poetry for grace and cadence.

    Chris - "Photos first" LOVE that. A simple action that can change the way I do things. Useful.
  • spinhead
    "Hands busy. Mind Free."

    Watched a PBS thing about how our minds work, and they confirmed that the most creative thinking happens unintentionally, when we're idling mentally.

    I like to vacuum; the white noise blocks the sounds, inside my head and out. With a big enough house, when you're done you realise you've had all kinds of creative thoughts.
  • This is a fantastic list, Doc. I especially like #2 Read different types of material. I've found that reading poetry or fiction (Tom Robbins) will help you assimilate unusual, interesting verbs and word combos.
  • Thanks a lot both Chris and Doc. I started off blogging recently and i was caught up as i could not generate new ideas often. I simply didn't want to copy contents from a few places and sum it up. I was really inspired by what you said here. I ll keep these things in my mind.
  • Excellent list! You hit on just about every place and practice that I use to conjure up and discover ideas. thanks for sharing ;)
  • Love it Doc. Love it. Thank you!
  • Tom and Lisa, thanks for your comments as well. . .funny, I had no idea, this would be so well received. . .I'm humbled, actually. Thank you. And thanks for the heads up on the old: "Hands busy, mind free" concept, Lisa. . .I had never heard of it before - makes complete sense, though! Cheers to all, Doc
  • @ChrisBrogan @ChrisCatania @Ujwal

    Thank you for your kind comments. . .I'm happy to have helped!

    Cheers,
    Doc
  • I have an iPod Touch. Carry it around with me in my pocket. I hardly ever listen to the music I put on it. Instead, I use the Notes app to jot down ideas, and sometimes entire stories. It's small, it's quick, it stores everything I write. If my house were to ever catch on fire, it would be the only thing I'd be desperate to save -- besides my wife and kids, of course.
  • cathmary
    I can certainly relate to (finally) throwing away the dream of being destined to be a fiction author. I'm finally at the stage of throwing away -- or at least backing off of -- the journal keeping. And just getting myself out there, posting to blogs and starting my own. Feels scary, but what's the point of making all my comments and observations inside a book no one looks at?

    As to the server, maybe it's a training issue? As I read your comment, it occurred to me virtually all of them say something along those same lines: "Did you leave room for dessert?" To say no to this particular question is arguably as awkward as to say yes. ("Uh no, I indulged too much during the meal.") If they're not going to sell me on the molten chocolate cake, I'd rather them ask, "Would you care to see the dessert menu?"
  • Practice indeed. Where you put your attention is where you get your results. I've spent every day for the past 18 years as a one-trick pony; Learning how to be at my best and generate that experience for other people. Now my entire brain is designed to notice for these things and create them. I now have inertia in that direction. It takes me work NOT to do that.

    People ask me how I always get my results when working with people (for example, http://humanoperatingsystem.org/phoenixtrial/fi...) and the real answer is practice! As Gary Vee said three days ago, "HARD WORK is never not part of the formula" (http://garyvaynerchuk.com/post/347735144/hard-w...)

    Or as Tarantino/Pitt recently reminded us in Inglorious Basterds, "You know how to get to Carnegie Hall don't you?...Practice."


    I imagine you have something similar with writing at this point Chris. I'm developing it just by the steady practice reading and adopting your stuff. My blog posts have actually become useful (i think). Thanks for that.

    As for the waitress. With an extensive background in communication and, early on, in the art of waiting tables, I found the following formula to work quite well:

    "Hi I'm (Server's name) I'm here to make sure you have a wonderful evening tonight. Anything you need - I'm here for. Really...anything. Except to pay for your meals ; )

    So let me start you off with some drinks and then I'll be back for your appetizers."
    (Already upselling). Once I come back for their appetizer and meal order I know they've already decided, at least for the most part, what they're going to have. At that point i say, "make sure to save room in your stomach because our molten chocolate cake is the most sinful and sensual experience you've ever had. Definitely not to be missed." I accompany this comment with a demonstration of full body rapture. Works like a charm.

    Thanks for another great post Chris.
  • bencurnett
    Inertia! Great concept- works for me.

    Sounds like you were a hell of a server. I'm betting there's a whole lot of that experience you can put to use in a business blog. Especially if you were one of the <1% that weren't cynical.

    And thanks for your reply to my comment above.
  • My pleasure - and thanks in return for your comment. As for being cynical - I actually loved my job as a server. There was a great line in Life is Beautiful that really sums it up for me. The exchange goes like this:

    Guido: (learning how to be a waiter) How far do I bow? I suppose I can even go 180 degrees.
    Eliseo: Think of a sunflower, they bow to the sun. But if you see some that are bowed too far down, it means they're dead. You're here serving, you're not a servant. Serving is the supreme art. God is the first of servants. God serves men, but he's not a servant to men.

    Service is the supreme art. And it keeps me humble while making me a conduit for something much greater than myself. Come to think of it, I think that will be my blog post for the day. Thanks again!
  • Hi Chris, Thanks for the great insights into your creative process! Since you asked....I can also add that I have found Evernote to be a lifesaver for gathering writing ideas and organizing them. It's an incredible productivity tool. As a mom, I learned early on to write in grocery store lines, handle client questions while sitting in the dentist's office waiting, etc. As a new blogger, (http://joanneberg.wordpress.com) I'm finding that those life experiences are incredibly helpful and if I put everything into Evernote as I'm going through my day, the writing process (whether for the blog or a client project) really flows. Thanks for all you do!
  • melanie
    Bird by Bird - by anne lamott. one of my fave books on writing. the hardest thing about writing is not pen to paper. it's butt to chair.
  • kylehenderick
    Some great points made about how to get started in writing through practice. I feel that getting the rhythm down and into the habit of writing whenever possible seems to be the toughest for me. I love your thoughts on publishing it, at least it is out there able to be read versus no one even finding it in your drawer. If you’re already making the effort to write, then let it out there and even your biggest critics will help you grow.

    Funny thought, maybe the server didn’t want you to sell you dessert. As a former server in college, my sales and tips were always higher when I was able to get an appetizer on the table versus a dessert. Dessert cost is typically lower and promotes hanging out for a while, when I’d rather churn the sales cycle with another entrée. Also, if the dessert is not up to expectations that is the last impression you make on the customer before the tip. Not a best practice for optimal sales and marketing, but isn’t that always a little flaw in agent based sales models?

    Nice post overall.
  • commspro
    Exactly, Kyle. I encountered the same situation as a server, also realizing that if the dessert ended up being more than they wanted to pay, it would have a net negative effect on my tip (even though the overall check was for more -- go figure). This is good food for thought -- how can we as restaurant (business) owners, even though we know what's best for our business, provide appropriate incentives to ensure our staff is promoting *our* interests?

    Also wonder why the server's name was mentioned (unless it was changed to protect the innocent).
  • "Another place where our practice falls down is that we keep tons of drafts of things around, but never publish." Hey...Can you see my dashboard? LOL

    I'm getting hung-up with attempting to be a good blogging DJ. I have lots of post but feel like yesterday's should play into today's thematically somehow. I would love to hear your thoughts about this.
  • I hear that question a lot too. I guess it comes with the territory when you're prolific at anything. I don't mind that question as much as the other one that pops up too often "I'd love to write as much as you do but I just don't have the time. I'm just too busy" Oh thanks...yea and I'm laying on a hammock sipping pina coladas as I tap out all my pieces.
    I like that you said you had to write whenever you can. There are many pockets of time throughout our day to write or at least work on new pieces. If you can't get to a laptop, you can still take notes on your smart phone or on scraps of paper. I even enjoy composing something mentally as I'm driving. It's amazing how much you will remember if you rewrite (rethink) it enough.
    I agree that there is no shortage in ideas or things to write about. I'm like you, I have tons of topics that I want to cover. I record every idea when I have them...otherwise you will lose them forever. It's not like writing a piece in your head which will leave breadcrumbs to trace back to the central theme and thought. Inspiration for new work surrounds us everywhere we go. Just be open to every experience and keep your eyes and mind open.
  • As a beginning blogger with too many ideas at some moments and too little when push comes to shove (read: im a bit scared that my ideas arent good enough) I loved this post. Working out ideas when you have it, is what i know i should do, but still its something i always seem to forget when i actually have the idea. The thought of just practicing and seeing where it ends will probably help me along in the next week to actually write a post and just see what people think of it.
    Thank you!
  • I carry a Moleskine notebook with me at all times, although I've started using it less since I have my laptop. I will jot down a few ideas as I have them, and as I find the time, will expand them.

    I think writing with intentionality is crucial -- in fact that's going to be my next blog post; I just had that idea -- when you're trying to write. It's not just enough to write something down and think, "I'm getting writing practice." You have to be intentional in trying to write well in order for it to actually do you any good.
  • The only thing I would add is it is okay to have something that isn't as fabulous as the rest periodically. If everything has to be amazing, there will lots of days you can't get started. Sometimes, just write it and see what happens. A lot of the "bad" stuff turns into good stuff down the road when you take a fresh run at it. So if it isn't up to your standard, file it and try again. Then go back and re-read that file to see what you can pull out of it. I call mine my Phoenix file.
  • A lot of the "bad" stuff turns into good stuff down the road...


    And sometimes you don't have to wait for the road part. One of my blog posts that I didn't really care for seemed to hit home for some prominent bloggers who quoted and linked to it, and then the hits came in like crazy for about a week.

    Huh. I was on the edge of not publishing that one at all. I didn't think it was that good.
  • bencurnett
    Hey Chris:

    Here's what I'll add- Practice is awesome. BUT practice doesn't make perfect. Practice makes proficient. Always remember: Screw perfect.

    Hope that works as a bit of an addition. Cool idea.
  • Amen. That was one of the most important things I learned ~ in the online world especially. Solid addition.
  • lucythorpe
    Doing it is the key. You can't wait around until someone thinks you might be good enough.
    When it comes to sparks I sometimes think 'What have I read or thought about in the past couple of days that is still going round in my head ? What notion was so compelling I told my husband about it when he got in ? With a bit of research and some facts or quotes that becomes my next post.
    Thanks.
  • spinhead
    "You can't wait around until someone thinks you might be good enough"

    Exactly. You don't need anyone's permission to be a writer, or to say whatever needs saying. Completion over perfection.
  • prosperitygal
    Chris I am with you on finding Sparks everywhere, now to get them down on paper. I prefer video, lets me be in moment and eagerly awaiting my replacement mino flip so I can get back to that.


    Thanks for being REAL, connecting with us daily and being so supportive.
  • This is perfect for me today. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! First day after an abrupt job ending. First day to seriously consider the writing game in lieu of going back to the tired old field I was in. Can't say thank you enough!!
  • I spent 35 years in denial that I am a writer. That's actually my resolution for 2010, to finally get over the fact that I'm a writer and artist and a creative person. And, interestingly, in 2010 I've already been producing 5x the content and have 2x as much traffic on my blog. In what, 3 weeks? #oy
  • spinhead
    I had another question, Elizabeth: "denial that I am a writer"

    How did you do that? (I can't picture it.)
  • Hum, hard to explain. This year is the first time where I understand that one of my primary modes of communicating (and inspiring, and everything else I do) is through writing. And that I'm creative, and that's why people are attracted to me (among other reasons). Funny, I can't write very well about writing, eh?
  • I made the decision to be a writer in 1990, and I know all about the fear, uncertainty, and doubt that comes with writing for publication. Get over it! While you're worrying about what people will think, or that you're not good enough, people with far less talent are writing like crazy and getting all the attention. Don't let that happen.

    When I started there were no blogs and no email. I spent weeknights writing and weekends printing out copies and submitting my stuff to various publications via snail mail. These days you don't need an editor's approval in order to find an audience. There's no excuse -- you're either a writer or you're not. The difference is in putting in the work and hitting the "publish" button.
  • If I ever get a tattoo, it'll be this quote from Peter de Vries: "I love being a writer. What I can't stand is the paperwork."
  • I've gotten up to the "publish" part no problem. I have a filing cabinet full of what I consider really great stuff right up until the point where I should publish. Then the "what if" demons take hold. What if no-one reads it, what if people read it but they don't like, what if I am completely dellusional and my writing just plain sucks!? It's a vicious loop but I'm getting there thanks to posts like this one! Thanks Chris!
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