The problem
This summer, I’ve often found myself with a wisp of an idea that just won’t grow into something substantial. Sometimes it’s an empty blog post with only a title, sometimes a document called ‘12345’ with a few sentences on it. I can blame writer’s block, I can blame coursework. If I’m feeling up to it, I might even come up with a more creative excuse for why I’m not writing, like…
But deep down, I know it’s laziness that’s keeping me from getting any work done. I once read that the most effective tools for writers is a deadline, so that is what I’m giving myself one now. I set one for myself before, but because there were no consequences, I kind of ignored it (or forgot about it). This was me the past two months:
The mission
This deadline is different because it’s published, which makes it more ‘official.’ (Right?) Hopefully that will make it harder to ignore. I’m embarking on a mission of extreme writing — it’s kind of like extreme sports except you don’t have to get up (well, you should get up from time to time to stretch your legs and rest your eyes and whatnot). I start university in about a month, and before I return to the world of spine-crushing essays, I want to finish at least five short stories.
That’s four weeks to write five stories, i.e. 1.25 stories a week.
I don’t have a detailed plan, but I will be writing a little bit everyday for now. I’ll be posting updates here, so if I fail the world will know about it! Well, at least a few people will. If that’s not motivation to succeed I don’t know what is. That, or chocolate. I like chocolate.
Anyways, the regular updates here (should I remember to post them) (just kidding) should make me write at least a little everyday. Let’s see.
Wish me luck, and if you’re a writer, let me know any tips to being productive, or how you get past writer’s block (or just say hi)!
Thanks for reading!
Pen & Paper 
Well hey there 🙂
I’m gonna tell you something which I suspect isn’t what you’re looking for. With my blog, it has always been about spurts and bursts, and I kinda don’t rush it either. When I’m in the zone it all comes flowing and when I’m not I don’t force myself. This has led to a blog that could’ve and should’ve been a lot more than what little it is today but I have a bit of a problem with deadlines for creativity. Use it, by all means, but remember that rationalizing essentially irrational (or beyond rational) pursuits will only go so far.
That would be my two pennies on the subject for whatever that’s worth 😛
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Hi! I’m glad you took the time to share your perspective, which is of course worth as much as any other 🙂 I absolutely understand what you’re saying, but as a creative writing student, I’ve kind of been forced to set myself strict deadlines and be as creative as possible within them. You’re right, though – my stories won’t necessarily be the best I’ve ever written (if I actually manage to write any, that is :P) but at least I’ll have some! I’ve been too lax with myself this summer, and this is more about making myself write than making myself write well. Hope that makes sense!
Thanks for stopping by, I hope to see you around 🙂
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It does make sense, being a creative writing student must be a whole different ballgame. Well good luck to you! 🙂
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It has certainly made me churn out some writing even when I’m not feeling up to it… And thank you!
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Must be a valuable lesson.. 🙂
Pleasure!
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I suppose you could look at it that way, although sometimes it feels like torture 😛
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What necessary and long-term good thing doesn’t in the instant feel like torture haha
P.S. You are fun to talk to and this is almost a conversation which is new and rather cool
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I agree with you there! I thought finally getting to study creative writing would be great (which it is, mostly) but writing on demand is almost as bad as math (which is very bad for someone like me)
Haha, I’m having fun talking to you as well! This is certainly like a conversation, thanks to technology and social media and whatnot 😛
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No way, not math, at least not math :O. That is horrible I’m so sorry! I’d hate writing to ever feel that way. I’m a law student myself but in class I write poems/stories, maybe being a rebel is part of why its so much fun. Small part. 😛
This is so cool haha
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All right, maybe I exaggerate… I would never trade my course for anything else! I absolutely love and treasure every minute of my writing seminars. But I won’t lie about writing on demand – it can be pretty painful.
Haha, maybe if I start doing maths in the middle of a writing seminar I might actually start enjoying it 😀
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Well I’m glad you like what you’re doing :). To go off the beaten track so much and even then to have no passion for it would’ve been quite a bummer.
I refuse to believe A) Maths is capable of any good B) my love for writing is ONLY the rebellion part hahaha
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I think a part of me even likes writing on demand, because the deadlines keep me from being too lazy… Just a small part though.
I believe you when it comes to B, but I should tell you that I sometimes do maths for fun 😀
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Alright hehe
You do? Why you’re full of surprises aren’t you 😀
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Aren’t most people? 🙂
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True enough, Sohini, true enough
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Haha, well, it’s been fun talking to you, Kevin. Hope we get to chat again sometime!
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On comments? Haha good luck to us, but this was great!
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It sure was, and why not? 😛
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Haha alright then 🙂
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You can reach me at penandpaper.sohini@gmail.com too, though, until I find a better email address. Yeah, penandpaper@gmail.com was taken, much to my annoyance…
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Oh that’s too sad! Well I guess you can be expecting stuff from kevinjames9595@gmail.com then 🙂
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Gmail has an agenda against me, I’m pretty sure 😛 All right, keep me up to date with your writing adventures then!
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Same to you! So good meeting you 🙂
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You too!
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