The Art of Writing Effectively #4 – Odds and Ends

 Here are the last two last tips to help you either get started OR keep writing in a focused manner:

The Pomodoro Method is…what, exactly? The Pomodoro Method is a strategy that helps writers keep their brains fresh. It involves writing for 25 minutes and then taking a five-minute break. (I do not recommend getting onto any kind of digital device for this break, it’s too easy to get sucked in.) You can modify this technique if there are better time spans for you. (I like to write for 50 minutes and then take a ten-minute break.) If you can write endlessly and don’t feel like you wind down, great, but many students, regardless of the subject, will find that using this method helps to keep from getting fatigued and burning out too quickly. This is definitely a try-it-and-see approach.

Just start. Sometimes all you can do is sit down, set your timer for half an hour, and start writing. You might feel like you are just barfing up words. Here’s the thing - you can always fix what you write, but you can’t fix what isn’t there. So even if you don’t think it makes sense, or sounds stupid, or whatever, putting something down helps get your gears moving. Greases the wheels. You might be amazed at what comes out in just 30 minutes. Try it.

We hope these strategies have been helpful, and that you've given them a try!

Until next time,

Ms. Nan