Writing Advice Series: Don’t Obsess Over Your Instruments
In this new blog series, I plan on sharing writing advice I hear from various folks in the industry and sharing it with you while applying my approach to the idea. In this first post, I’m using the advice shared by Joshua Fields Milburn, one-half of the bestselling author team, The Minimalists.
He said in one of his Instagram posts about writing: Don’t obsess over your instruments.
As writers, it's easy to get caught up in the details of our craft. We obsess over our instruments, searching for the perfect pen, notebook, software, music, or environment to help us get in the writing mood. We study other writers’ rituals and learn what they use and vow to use it ourselves, thinking it will improve our writing.
While it's fine to learn writing tricks from published authors and to create a ritualistic routine for getting ready to write, too often we can use it to procrastinate the actual writing. That’s why I want to explore why it's important not to obsess over your instruments as a writer and how to overcome the procrastination that can come with it.
The Importance of Starting
Louis L'Amour, the famous Western novelist, once said, "Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on." This quote encapsulates the idea that the most important thing for a writer is to start writing. It doesn't matter what tools you have or what your environment is like. All you need is a pen, paper, or a laptop with a blank document. The act of writing matters most, not the tools you use.
This is a quote I refer to time and time again. I find I write my best first drafts with a good old-fashioned notebook. I use my Rocketbook to write and then I can scan it into my computer, which will then convert my handwriting into text. I may have to go back and fix a few mistakes, but it’s worth it. I can then erase the pages once I know it’s all uploaded and start again.
Because my job is primarily on the computer, writing my stuff by hand allows me to slow down and get a break from the screen. While I know some people with chronic wrist pain cannot write by hand as often, I encourage you to still just start writing, no matter what.
The Danger of Procrastination
Obsessing over our instruments can be a form of procrastination. We tell ourselves that we can't start writing until we find the perfect pen, song, or notebook or until our environment is just right. We may spend hours researching the best writing software or browsing through stationery shops, looking for the perfect tool. While it's okay to have preferences and even rituals, when those rituals become an excuse to avoid writing, they become a problem.
Procrastination is a writer's worst enemy. It can prevent us from achieving our writing goals and hinder our progress. By obsessing over our instruments, we're essentially giving ourselves permission to procrastinate. We tell ourselves that we can't write until we have the perfect tool or environment. This is a dangerous mindset to have as a writer.
Overcoming Procrastination
The first step to overcoming procrastination is to recognize it for what it is. When we spend more time looking for the perfect song for our playlist than actually writing, we need to stop and take a step back. We need to remind ourselves that the act of writing is what matters most, not the tools we use.
One way to overcome procrastination is to set a timer for a specific amount of time and write during that time. It doesn't matter what tools you use or where you are. The act of writing is what's important. Are you sick of hearing this yet? By setting a timer, you give yourself a deadline and a sense of urgency. This can help you focus and avoid procrastination.
Another way to overcome procrastination is to change your environment. If you find that your environment is distracting you, try writing in a different location. This can be a coffee shop, a library, or even a park. Sometimes just moving from a desk to an armchair can make an incredible difference. Changing your environment can help you break out of your routine and get your creative juices flowing.
Also, look into finding a writing community. Ania Ray, the CEO, and co-founder of Quill & Cup, claims that we’re more likely to do something if everyone else is doing it. And she’s right. During Quill & Cup Prickles, which are essentially scheduled writing times, writers write for 45 to 50 minutes. They do so together and are motivated to keep going because everyone else is doing the same thing. You motivate each other by writing together.
But you can also find a small group of 4 or 5 other writers and schedule a weekly writing time together via Zoom. A writing community can be a powerful tool for overcoming procrastination.
Finally, it's important to remember that your tools don't matter. All you need is a pen, paper, or a laptop with a blank document. For the umpteenth time, the act of writing is what's important, not the tools you use. If you find that you're spending too much time obsessing over your instruments, remind yourself of this fact. Take a deep breath, grab a pen, and start writing.
Mixing Up Your Routine
As writers, we often fall into the trap of sticking to the same routine day after day. We sit down at our desks, open our laptops, and start typing away. While routine can be helpful in establishing a writing habit, it can also become monotonous and hinder our creativity.
If you find that your current routine isn't working for you, don't be afraid to mix things up. Try writing with pen and paper instead of using your laptop. Turn off the music and try writing in silence. Change your environment or the time of day you write.
Mixing up your routine can help restimulate your creativity and break you out of a writing rut. By trying something new, you may discover a new way of looking at your writing or find that you're more productive when you switch up your routine.
In the end, it’s important not to obsess over your instruments and routines. Instead, focus on the act of writing itself and prioritize starting over perfection. It’s okay to have a ritualistic routine for getting ready to write, but don’t use it to procrastinate the actual writing. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to writing but you won’t get anything done unless you, let’s hear it, start writing.
Experiment and don’t be afraid to mix things up. If you spend more time looking for the perfect pen, song, or setting than actually writing, it’s time to take a step back and remind yourself that all a writer needs is a pen, paper, or a laptop. So let go of the distractions and start writing today.
