This may be the first time I've seen someone suggest turning off the monitor! Not an unreasonable idea -- tools like the classic Alphasmart provide a similarly hard-to-edit-while-writing interface. I'd probably accidentally type half a page into the google search bar, though!
Yeah, I've tried it a few times. Takes a little getting used to, but once you get over the dis-ease of writing to a blank screen, it opens up your mind in new ways! I never used Alphasmart, but I do remember the crossover typewriters that had that tiny digital screen.
I know you were semi-joking about the Google Search Bar, but that's a good point. It never happened to me, but I can see something like that happening -- a glitch in Windows that opens some other program or accidentally hitting the wrong combination of keys so that Word does something funky. Good to be aware of that!
...which gave me an idea. In Word (at least my version) you can switch to WP Greek. That way, you can keep typing and know that *something* is going down, but you can't actually read it.
Unless you read Greek. Then it's back to the drawing board... lol
Although, if I had to bet, I would have put money on you being the LAST writer afflicted by this condition... lol You so carefully craft everything, I guess I just imagined you banging it all out without a glance backwards!
And I hear you. I love your newsletter! Hopefully these few tricks can help you get it done with fewer writing hours. Try it once at least, and see how it goes for you! For me, getting that first draft down quickly and *then* going back to rewrite makes the whole process faster, smoother, and less stressful on the backend.
Yes, Avoidance Rewriting is a much more common affliction than many would think. It's fine to putter if you're having fun. But if you're trying to finish a project, best to get to it!
Hope you found some tricks here to avoid Avoidance Rewriting in the future!
This may be the first time I've seen someone suggest turning off the monitor! Not an unreasonable idea -- tools like the classic Alphasmart provide a similarly hard-to-edit-while-writing interface. I'd probably accidentally type half a page into the google search bar, though!
Yeah, I've tried it a few times. Takes a little getting used to, but once you get over the dis-ease of writing to a blank screen, it opens up your mind in new ways! I never used Alphasmart, but I do remember the crossover typewriters that had that tiny digital screen.
I know you were semi-joking about the Google Search Bar, but that's a good point. It never happened to me, but I can see something like that happening -- a glitch in Windows that opens some other program or accidentally hitting the wrong combination of keys so that Word does something funky. Good to be aware of that!
...which gave me an idea. In Word (at least my version) you can switch to WP Greek. That way, you can keep typing and know that *something* is going down, but you can't actually read it.
Unless you read Greek. Then it's back to the drawing board... lol
There's always Russian....
Da... lol
Love this one, Graham. Some wonderful insights here.
Thanks Terry!
Although, if I had to bet, I would have put money on you being the LAST writer afflicted by this condition... lol You so carefully craft everything, I guess I just imagined you banging it all out without a glance backwards!
Sometimes it takes me five hours to write a newsletter due to this pesky phenomenon. So annoying! I feel seen!!
I see you!
And I hear you. I love your newsletter! Hopefully these few tricks can help you get it done with fewer writing hours. Try it once at least, and see how it goes for you! For me, getting that first draft down quickly and *then* going back to rewrite makes the whole process faster, smoother, and less stressful on the backend.
Thanks for the comment!
Thank you Graham!! This feels familiar ;)
You're welcome, Peggy!
Yes, Avoidance Rewriting is a much more common affliction than many would think. It's fine to putter if you're having fun. But if you're trying to finish a project, best to get to it!
Hope you found some tricks here to avoid Avoidance Rewriting in the future!
And this is true for absolutely anything and everything! At some point let's stop refining the strategy and let's execute!!
On another note my has been released today!!
Exactly! Rewriting can also be a sign of perfectionism -- might make a great future post to talk about when it's done...
I think the Internet cut out there... what did you release today?
My Book!!! It is out today!! It was on pre-order only until now ;)
Oh congrats! That's huge!
Going to check it out now...
Thank you!!