1. You hit a point of burnout and your creativity fizzles
2. Your non-writing life is full-to-the-brim and your writing gets squeezed out
3. You are multi-passionate and have a hard time focusing on one project
4. A looming deadline has got you stuck and shaking in your boots
5. Something with your health (or mental health) is impeding your writing
6. You’re just not “in the mood”

In the last Writer Fuel, I talked about creative burnout, which is the first item on the above list. While the techniques I’m about to share may not help with all the creative struggles mentioned above, they can help with creative burnout, when we’ve lost that “writing feeling” and we’re just not in the mood to put pen to page. These are all techniques that I’ve used at various points in my writing career, and while no one technique is a cure-all, using a few of them in concert can help get you out of a writing rut and get you back in the writing mood.

1) Create Writing Rituals

Perhaps one of the best ways to get yourself in that writing mood is to create a ritual around it. I know writers who light a scented candle before they begin a writing session. Others might have a special hat or accessory they wear when they’re writing. Some folks might even listen to a special writing playlist. 

Right now, my own writing ritual is that I like to brew a pot of tea and bring it to my desk so I can sip while I write. I’m especially loving the Literary Tea Collection from Simpson and Vail, with my favorite varieties being Jane Austen (obviously), William Shakespeare (of course!), and Edgar Allan Poe (why not?). These teas make me feel like I’m channeling my inner Austen, Shakespeare, or Poe and give me that extra kick of inspiration.

The point of writing rituals is that they need to be simple and quick to complete. If your ritual is too complex or takes too long, then that will only get in the way of your writing. Instead, you want it to be something fairly easy that you can build into your writing routine and do without thinking too hard.

It’s even better when these rituals tap into one or more of the five senses. This is because sensory cues create a visceral, almost automated response in us. They tell us: “Pay attention, writer! It’s time to get to work.” For me, the tea ritual fulfills all five senses. Taste, smell, and touch are obvious, but the teapot also serves as a visual cue and when my cup clinks against the saucer, it gives me a little auditory reminder that it’s time to work.

2) Use Classical Conditioning

The reason writing rituals work so well is because they can sometimes act as a form of classical conditioning. Let me explain. Remember Pavlov’s dogs? Pavlov, an experimental neurologist and physiologist, discovered that when he rang a bell and simultaneously fed his dogs, eventually the dogs would begin to salivate at the sound of the bell alone.

We can create a similar effect in ourselves as writers. If we pair a certain sensory cue with our writing practice, eventually just the presence of that cue will snap our brains into “writing mode.” The key to classical conditioning is pairing the sensory cue with the desired behavior enough times that the link between the two becomes automatic.

Also, you want to avoid using that same sensory cue for other behaviors aside from writing. For example, if you wear a special writing hat, you want to avoid wearing that same hat in other contexts. This creates a stronger association between writing and the hat.

Not all of your writing rituals will serve as a form of classical conditioning. My tea ritual, for example, doesn’t pass muster because I can’t just reserve tea-drinking for writing time alone. I must have my tea at all hours of the day! I can’t help myself. For this reason, my tea drinking is a ritual but it doesn’t create classical conditioning.

Instead, for classical conditioning I have used a writing playlist. When I was writing the DIY MFA book, I had a special playlist that I listened to every time I sat down to write. Seriously. Every. Single. Time. That playlist started with the song “Everything Is Awesome” from the Lego Movie and after a few weeks of listening to that music, as soon as that song would start to play, my brain would snap into writing mode and I’d find the words starting to flow.

3) Think Beyond Routine

When I’ve spent long periods of time writing, routine has been my best friend. When I wrote the DIY MFA book, I had a toddler and a baby at home, so I needed a routine to help me stay organized and motivated. I got into the rhythm of walking my son, Little Man, to preschool, then going to a coffee shop around the corner from his school. Then I would write, write, write until the time came to go pick him up. (I’ll admit, there were times when I got on such a roll with my writing that I had to sprint to get to pick-up on time!) That routine saw me through six or seven months of solid writing and it helped me get that book done.

That said, sometimes routine can get you into a rut. In those moments, the best thing you can do is break out of that routine altogether. So if you usually write at home, try writing in a coffee shop or library. If you listen to music when you write, try working in silence. Even something as simple as turning your writing chair so it faces a different direction can help rev up your creativity and give you a new perspective.

Keep in mind that rituals and routines are not mutually exclusive. You can still incorporate writing rituals while breaking out of routine. For example, one writer I know does a three-minute meditation before she starts writing. That meditation practice is 100% portable, so she can take it with her whether she’s writing at home, at the library, or somewhere else altogether. As you come up with your writing rituals, try to come up with something that you can take with you across different writing contexts or environments. This way, you can tap into the benefits of having a writing ritual while also being able to shake up your regular routine.

4) Clock in the Time

Sometimes the best tool in our arsenal is a good, old-fashioned clock. There are days when my writing mojo is completely gone, but I know I need to get some writing done. When that happens, I sit myself down at my desk and set a timer for 10 minutes. I don’t necessarily have to write during that time, but also I’m not allowed to do anything else. I can sit at my desk and stare into space, or I can start writing. Usually, I start writing out of sheer boredom.

Another way to use a clock to boost our writing is with the Pomodoro Technique. With this technique, you do one—and only one—task for 25 minutes, then take a five minute break. The key to making this technique work is training yourself not to do anything else during those 25 minutes. (I won’t even let myself get up to go to the bathroom! It’s just 25 minutes after all.) During the five minute break you can do whatever you want. Then when the timer rings, you go back into another 25-minute sprint.

A clock or timer can be a powerful tool, and these are just a couple of ways to use it with your writing. You can go old-school with a kitchen timer, or you can use the timer on your phone or mobile device. And if you want to try Pomodoro, there are some great mobile apps out there as well. My personal favorite is an app called “Focus Time.” Not only is it great for writing, but it’s also super-helpful in helping my kids practice their instruments.

5) Engage in Stealth Writing

My favorite thing to do to rev up my writing is to do it when I’m supposed to be doing something else. I call this “stealth writing” because I’m sneaking it in when I’m really meant to be working on something entirely different.

I first developed this habit in college, when I had to juggle a lot of different writing assignments for my various courses. I realized that if I worked on the assignment that was due next, I always found myself getting stuck. But if I worked on another project due later on, suddenly the words started flowing. The original assignment that was due sooner always seemed to get done somehow (it’s amazing how motivating last-minute panic can be!) but the benefit of this productive procrastination is that I would make headway on a later assignment, so when the time came to work on that, I already had some momentum.

As I write this newsletter, I’m actually supposed to be working on something else. I have a series of documents that need review and I have back-to-back meetings filling up my day. But, I’ve decided to sneak in some writing before reviewing those documents and also squeeze it in the downtime between meetings. Between all this stealth writing in fits and spurts, I’ve already eked out about 1,600 words. Not bad for a day when I thought I wouldn’t get any writing done.

Make Your Own “Best Practice”

One of our catch-phrases at DIY MFA is “There’s no such thing as a ‘best practice,’ just what works best for you.” Writing advice is not one-size-fits all. What works for one writer might not work for another. You have to try out the advice and determine whether it works for you.

This is true for all advice, including the techniques I’ve shared here today. Some of these tools will work for you, some might not, and that’s okay. What matters is that you find the right advice and put it into action. You can understand the techniques, but that knowledge is academic if you don’t apply it. Tools are meant to be used. They are meaningless if they stay stored up in the toolbox. So, choose the advice that’s useful to you, and implement it.

Most of the techniques I’ve shared here today focus on external factors, like when/where/how you write. But, it’s also important to consider internal conditions—your mindset, your emotional state, or other factors that are unique to you. Sure, external factors can give you the tools to unlock your writing potential, but the way you will make lasting change to your process is by internalizing these techniques and making them part of your regular repertoire.

Remember: there is no such thing as the “right mood” to write. You create that mood. So get going and create something awesome!

Until next time, keep writing and keep being awesome!

P.S. For more info on Gabriela Pereira, the founder and instigator of DIY MFA, check out her profile page.

The post Writer Fuel: How to Get in the Writing Mood appeared first on DIY MFA.

Thanks for being here with me today. I’m so excited to share this interview with you. It’s a little bit different from what I usually do. Instead of being the one hosting the interview, in this episode I’m sharing an interview that I gave for my friend Joanna Penn on The Creative Penn Podcast.

You might remember Joanna from episode 106 when she came on DIY MFA Radio and I got to interview her! She is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers under J.F.Penn and also writes nonfiction for authors. She’s also a professional speaker and award-winning entrepreneur. Her site, TheCreativePenn.com, is regularly voted one of the Top 10 sites for writers. She is a self-publishing superstar and I’m thrilled that she had me on her show.

In this episode Joanna interviews me about:

• How I started DIY MFA, where I got that first glimmer of the idea, and how I built it into what you see today.
• The writer’s need for validation and why that “stamp of approval” needs to come from within.
• Honoring and understanding your process, and how there’s no right way to be a writer.
• The importance of author identity, and being the best version of yourself, but still be authentically you.

I also share some of my signature DIY MFA techniques, like:

• The Angst Jar—what it is and why it’s my go-to tool for handling rejection, imposter syndrome, and any other curve ball my inner critic throws at me.
• The Revision Pyramid and how to use it so you can rock your post-NaNoWriMo revisions and make your manuscript sing.
• Visual outline techniques and why I’m so obsessed with design and graphics. Hint: It comes from my former life as a toy designer and psychology researcher.

About the DIY MFA Book

Have you ever…

• Dreamed of writing a book but had no idea where to start?
• Started a writing project, but couldn’t stay motivated?
• Struggled to carve out time in your life for your writing?
• Searched for a writing community, but didn’t know where to look?
• Been overwhelmed by all the writing and publishing advice online?

Order your very own copy direct from the publisher by clicking this affiliate link. As with any affiliate products we promote on this site, when you purchase via this link, DIY MFA gets a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you supporting DIY MFA!

DIY MFA is the definitive guide for writers who can’t–or don’t want to–go back to school.

Inspired by material I’ve created and compiled since the inception of this website, this is more than a writing guide in book form. Based on proven techniques and graduate-style curriculum, DIY MFA won’t just help you improve your writing skills, it will empower you to take control of your creative life.

If DIY MFA were a school, this book would be the student handbook. It’s a one-stop-shop with all the fundamental elements from the website in one place. If you are new to DIY MFA, this book is the perfect springboard to get you going, and if you’ve taken one or more of our courses, this book will supplement and expand on what you learned.

DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community will help you get that graduate-level experience without going to school. Don’t put your life on hold for two or three years and accrue a huge amount of student debt. Instead, learn to recreate that MFA experience for yourself and seamlessly incorporate writing into your life. This book will show you how.

I wrote this book for word nerds of all stripes, but particularly with these three particular writer groups in mind.

• Writers in the trenches: If you’re one of these writers, then you are in the thick of it, actively engaged in a writing project at this very moment. You work hard to improve your craft and are hungry to learn tools and skills you can apply to work-in-progress. This book will give you the techniques you crave.
• Serious newbies: Just because you’re new to writing doesn’t mean you’re not serious. If you’re one of these serious newbies, then you are motivated to learn all you can, so you can start your writing journey on the right foot. Learn how with this book.
• Career authors who need a boost: No matter how experienced a writer you are, sometimes you lose “that loving feeling” and it’s hard to get those words on the page. This book can help shake up some of those stale habits and get you pumped up about your writing again.

Warning: If you are dabbler or dilettante looking for a “magic bullet” solution or a shortcut to success, this book is not for you. Seriously, it might spontaneously combust in your possession. (Just kidding. Sort of.)

If you’re ready to bump your writing up a level, grab your copy today!

Link to Episode 127

(Right-click to download.)

If you liked this episode…

Head over to iTunes, leave a review, and subscribe so you’ll be first to know when new episodes are available. Also, if you know anyone who might enjoy this podcast, please share!

Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!

The post Episode 127: How to DIY Your MFA (Interview at The Creative Penn) appeared first on DIY MFA.

There’s so much to look forward to at this event, it’s hard to choose just five things to list here. But since this is #5onFri here’s my list of five things I am MOST excited about at Book Expo this year.

1) Discovering Hidden Gems

Every year, I always happen upon one or two hidden gems at BEA. These are often moments of serendipity when I hop in line for a book signing on a lark, or I pick up a random ARC (Advance Reader Copy) because I thought it “looked cool.” A few literary diamonds I’ve discovered this way include Mike Curato’s Little Elliot, Big City, and Andrea Seigel’s The Kid Table.

Little Elliot, Big City

by Mike Curato

This book is beautiful in its simplicity. It captures a toddler’s perspective with compassion and respect. Every time I read it, I’m amazed at how an author can show such complex emotions with so few words. Also, this story always (ALWAYS) makes me tear up when I get to the part where Elliot meets the mouse.

The Kid Table

by Andrea Seigel

This book is now my go-to text example of a book that uses timelines in an interesting way. This story is told as a series of family reunions and holiday gatherings, one per chapter. With each celebration, Seigel places the reader smack in the middle of a scene, but builds it out in such a way that we can infer what has happened in the months that have elapsed since the last chapter. This is a fabulous example of a book that “skips time” in the story without missing a beat.

2) Fun Photo Ops

Where else but Book Expo could I get a photo of myself next to R2D2? And what about these Star Wars themed Lego statues? Um, kinda awesome.
      

More importantly, though, Book Expo is a great place to reconnect with author friends and celebrate their writing wins. One of my favorite things to do at the show is go to a friend’s book signing. Not only is it fun to get a signed copy of my friend’s book for my very own, but it also helps me remember that good things can happen in this business. If I work hard and I’m persistent, who knows, someday that could be me.

3) Cool SWAG

Not all SWAG is noteworthy. In fact, at an event like Book Expo where it feels like bookmarks and buttons are being foisted on me from all directions, it’s rare for something to catch my attention.

Every so often, though, some bit of SWAG will make me stop and do a double-take. It doesn’t have to be something flashy or even all that expensive. What makes something fall into my category of “cool swag” is how well it ties together with the book being promoted.

One year I picked up a cool journal that was a promotion for a new edition of The Hobbit. It immediately caught my attention because it was pretty, useful and totally fit the book it was promoting. Just as Bilbo recounts his adventures in The Hobbit,  I might record my “there and back again” story in this notebook.

Another interesting piece of swag was a measuring tape promoting a YA book about a fashionista. What a cool idea! Intended readers for this book are probably craftsy and could use a measuring tape. Useful, and fits the theme for the book it promotes. Another example of successful SWAG.

Of course, part of the reason I like to collect cool SWAG is because it will give me ideas of what to do when my own book comes out next year. As I walk the show, I pick up any promotional materials that speak to me and store them away. In a few months, I’ll need to start planning my own SWAG strategy and I’ll be ready for some hard-core brainstorming.

4) Meeting My Literary Heroes

OK, I’ll admit it. There are moments at Book Expo when my inner fangirl comes out. Like the time I saw Billy Collins and we chatted briefly about one of his poems. Cue fangirl moment in 3… 2… 1… *OMGyou’reBillyCollins!squee!*

You have to understand, as a New Yorker born and raised, I’m used to seeing celebrities everywhere. Heck, I went to school with kids of celebrities. It’s really no big deal. There are so many famous people swarming around the streets of Manhattan that I don’t even notice them most of the time. In fact, as a true New Yorker, I don’t usually look up when I’m walking around the city (partly because New Yorkers don’t do eye contact, but mostly because I’m busy scanning the sidewalk to make sure I don’t step on something gross).

Put me in a room with authors, on the other hand, I just might start squealing like a tween girl at a One Direction concert. For me, there’s something remarkable about meeting an author whose books/stories/poems influenced my life. Books have had a far more powerful impact on me than any movie, show, or music group. To me, authors are the mega-stars.

5) Fine, I Confess: I’m at BEA For The Books Too

Over the years I’ve trained myself to withstand the Literary Super-Dazzle (or LSD), but let’s face it BEA wouldn’t be the same if it weren’t for all the books. I’ve learned from carrying heavy bags around the show that it’s smarter not to take ARCs unless I really want to read them.

Still even when I reel myself in and limit which books I take, I usually end up acquiring enough reading material to keep me busy for a year. Every day I come home from BEA with a carry-on suitcase full of books and lawyer-hubby shakes his head. I insist that I only took the books I absolutely *needed* but he doesn’t believe me.

The truth is, books are my lifeline and are essential to my very survival as a human. Books and literature got me through some of my toughest times in my life. As a shy, nerdy kid, reading introduced me to new friends and magical worlds, places where I could be myself and not worry if I “fit in.” As an angst-ridden teenager, poetry helped me feel less awkward and alone. And as an adult, books have not only continued to entrance and entertain me, but they have allowed me to discover a career that I love.

Book Expo is a celebration of books, literature, and the people who bring these to life. By the end of that week, my feet will ache, my back will hurt, I’ll be dehydrated, hungry and exhausted. But for the love of all things literary, it will be worth it.

The post #5onFri: Five Things I’m Looking Forward to at BEA2015 appeared first on DIY MFA.

The truth is, radio and I seem to be meant for each other. I’ve never really liked being on camera: I despise having my photo take and video makes me feel so awkward. But put me behind a microphone and it’s hard to get me to stop talking.

This is why I’m so THRILLED to share some news with you today. I’ve teamed up with Kori Miller–host of the radio show Back Porch Writer–and I’ll be doing regular appearances  on the radio throughout the winter and spring! I am so excited about this collaboration because Kori’s show is a lot of fun and features many excellent guests. It’s an honor to be included in such great company.

To learn more about this excellent show, check out the page on BlogTalk Radio or the Back Porch Writer webpage. Kori hosts two shows each week, one on Tuesday mornings and one on Sunday late-afternoons called “Catch Up with Kori.” I’ll be appearing approximately once each month on the Sunday shows.

Ask Me Questions on the Radio

Kori and I will be doing a Q&A format on the shows featuring DIY MFA. This means you can either call in with writing questions, or you can email me your questions beforehand and I’ll answer them on the radio. Currently the schedule for my appearances on the show is:

• February 16 (pre-recorded on February 10)
  Theme: Creativity and Creative Revision
• March 16
• April 20
• May 18
• June 1 (Book Expo recap)
• June 15

If you want to email questions in advance, please send them to gabriela[at]DIYMFA[dot]com at least one day before the show or recording date. You can also tweet me (@DIYMFA) your questions and watch my twitter feed for updates about the show, like if a certain day will have a particular theme. You can call in with questions too. Just head over to the BlogTalk Radio page and dial the number listed on the day’s show.

I am so excited to team up with Kori and do these guest appearances. The ones I’ve done so far have been a blast and I can’t wait for the February show. Remember: send me your questions and you just might hear them answered on the air!

Keep writing and keep being awesome.

The post DIY MFA Is on the Radio! appeared first on DIY MFA.