The 15 Minute Writing Miracle!

Writing Tip: Whatever your reason for not wanting to write when you've promised yourself you would--whether you feel too tired, busy, or blocked--write anyway for 15 minutes. There's magic in putting pen to paper (or fingers on keyboard). 

The 15 Minute Writing Rule

When you've promised yourself that you're going to write, then write--no matter what--for 15 minutes. 

• If you're scheduled to write for an hour, it doesn't matter. Write for 15 minutes.

• If you're exhausted and about to collapse, it doesn't matter. Write for 15 minutes.
• If there's not one single thought in your head, it doesn't matter. Write for 15 minutes, even if all you can write about is being stuck.

Sometimes the desire to write sparks some inner resistance. That's why excuses are so easy to come by. The antidote is to grab hold of the idea of writing for ONLY 15 minutes.

That small amount of time isn't intimidating. And because it feels doable, it gets you to start writing, which is the key that unlocks writing's magic power.

You see, the act of writing frequently…

• energizes you when you're tired

• reconnects you with your material, or writing practice, when you're feeling disconnected
• opens pathways for inspiration to flow through when you're blocked
• clarifies your ideas and vision when you're confused

And often, once you start writing, you catch fire and simply write and write and write.

All of these good things happen because the things you think you need before you write, in order to write (inspiration, feeling connected to your project, energy, clarity, enthusiasm), all the things you're not willing to write without--are what you get FROM writing.

Even when writing doesn't give you all, or any, of these benefits, and you actually do end up writing for only 15 minutes, you feel good that you at least wrote something on a day you promised yourself you would, and rest easier knowing that you really were too (tired/busy/blocked/etc.) to write, and weren't just procrastinating. 

The idea of writing for only 15 minutes may be what lessens your resistance, draws you in, and gets you to start writing, but it's the act of writing, itself, that is the miracle.

Try it and see for yourself.  

Comments

[Julie Isaac]

Shelly,

Yes! Drops of water turn into cups, turn into gallons, turn into oceans.

And 5 minutes of writing turns into a paragraph, turns into 5 paragraphs, turns into 5 pages, turns into 50 pages, turns into a book.

So write for 5 minutes, and 5 minutes, and 5 minutes...

Write on, Julie

[Julie Isaac]

Karalyn,

What a wonderful idea! Using writing, any writing, even answering emails to get the writing juices flowing. Then to simply ride the wave.

That's great!

[Shelly]

I have had always wanted to write but always felt that most of the time I am busy with some assignment or the other. I always had small bits of time and thought that if I use this time t write where would I end up. But after reading your post, I have second thoughts - Droplets of water make oceans and so if I give it a try maybe I can be a writer too :)

[Karalyn]

I agree with you on this. I'm a late night writer --- that's when my mind works well with words. But often I think all day "tonight I'll write" and then when the time comes it's just not "there." What I've found often gets me started is responding to emails. If I write good responses to emails it gets me started and then I can move to that "blank screen" and pound something out. Funny how our minds work.