Writing is a ritualistic thing for me, and for this reason there are a number of both sensible and weird stuff that I must prepare before I sit down and start writing. To each his own, as the saying goes, so here are the 5 things that I do before I write:
1. Turn on the electric fan
I can’t write when it’s hot. It’s the most uncomfortable feeling that I really hate. A few years ago, when the office’s air conditioning unit broke down, I actually stopped writing and told my boss that I couldn’t finish the write-up that he needed. The repairman fixed it about 2 hours later and that’s the only time when I resumed my work.
It used to be “Turn on the aircon” when I’m writing at home, but the electricity bill just keeps going up so I use the electric fan instead. I just hope I don’t resort to a handheld fan soon.
2. I take a shower
I must feel cool and comfortable before I start writing. I find it very hard to concentrate when I feel hot and sticky. Plus, I don’t know if this is true with other people, but I find that I can think more clearly after a good shower.
3. I prepare my mood music
Some people can’t write when there’s music playing. As for me, normally I also can’t but it really depends on the type of writing that I will be doing. For instance, if I’m going to write something like a blog post, I put on some Beatles music. It’s my easy listening music for writing an easy reading article.
When it’s a feature writing, I turn to dance music (any era will do).
For highly technical writing, that’s when I demand complete silence. No music playing whatsoever.
4. I eat
I can’t write on an empty stomach. ‘Nuff said.
5. I think happy thoughts
It’s not so that I can fly like Peter Pan, but it helps me clear my thoughts and set my mood. If I have nothing but worries on my head, it will be very hard to collect my thoughts and write cohesively. If my mind’s filled with other stuff, it will take me longer to write even a hundred-word article.
I think it’s the same thing with the old saying that one should never cook when he’s feeling bitter or angry. The food will surely taste the same.
Related posts:
- Understanding Why We Write Why do we write? As a job? To earn a...
- Rapid Writing To some people it’s speed writing or free writing; to...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Same thing for me, when I am writing blog posts, I have to have my music on board. This keeps me focused and this works for me since I started blogging.
Can you share some Beatles songs that you play to get you in the mood?
I also share the same thing with the fan and the food. I am not really picky a small fan will do, as long as I sense that there’s one and my stomach’s full I can write as much as 6 blog posts a day.
Have a great day!
call center gal´s last blog post..Fun Friday – Five Things about Call Center Gal
i do 2 and 4 too. getting into the shower solves a lot of things for me especially when i’m stressed. when im out and there’s no shower, toothbrushing would do. eating? it’s always nice to have food around but when im in a reflective mood, i go for coffee or cocoa. =)
agree with everything. the environment is a big factor for me as well, so i make sure that when i write, i am in a place where i am comfortable and relaxed.
as for music, i’ve been writing without listening to music for months now. i’m getting used to the silence, helps me to concentrate better.
Funny… I just set up my calendar for when I’m to blog and the material seems to come to me. I admit that one of my special secret weapons is my weekly time I call DPS time: Dreaming, Planning, Scheming. I head off to my local Borders, order the largest coffee, chocolate, raspberry drink, and THINK with my pads of paper. Sometimes with no agenda and sometimes with specific things I need to get done. Write outlines, think what I want the outcome to be, and then create once I’m back to the computer. We spend SO much time DOING, that taking time to Dream, Plan, and Scheme is precious for me.
Charlie Seymour Jr
Blog – http://bit.ly/24eYTO
Thanks for the comments, guys. Make me feel good knowing I’m not alone with all my pre-writing weirdness.
LOL. I can relate with the things you said about the fan, taking a shower and the food. =)
It’s hard for me to concentrate on completing a write-up if these three factors are not satisfied. About listening to music while writing, that I don’t usually do because I’m easily destructed or being carried away with the songs whatever genre it may be. Hehehehe….
BTW, I love your blog.
I agree with everything especially about the shower, music, and food!
When I was younger my grandfather used to say that taking a shower before studying “washes off” bad energy and cools the brain. I think taking a shower before doing any activity works!
Mood music inspires great articles and I agree The Beatles’s music is easy on the ears. I grew up listening to my parent’s old records and I love them!
I can’t write on an empty stomach too but I don’t eat too much before I write. A very full stomach would only make me want to curl up and take a nap!
Thinking about happy thoughts helps a lot but sometimes I skip that part especially when I’m chasing a deadline.
By the way I enjoy your blog a lot! More power to you!
well, one thing that bothers me as a writer is living here in the Philippines. The air is so humid and it is really hot during summer so shoving up the fan beside you as you write is the only consent to finish your work efficiently. But fortunately for a guy, I could take off my shirt and write on. I’m working from home and who cares if I am half-naked right? I don’t usually take my bath before I write coz the task will surely make me sweat. I just enjoy the breeze while tapping the keys.After all has been written then I take a shower and voila, take a nap or watch tv. Just thinking I have done a little miracle with a refreshed mind and body makes me feel I am again ready for another bout.
@AngelaMP – you’re grandfather must be right, well, because taking a shower works for me.
@gened03 – I also write top-naked sometimes, just like you, whenever it’s hot. Sometimes the electric fan is useless against the heat that I need to resort to going naked.
I agree. A good shower and music helps a lot. With regards to food, I have a difficult time writing on a full stomach so what I do is I usually space my meals or just take mini snacks in between.
@Isis You’re right. But I only eat a snack before I write, just to make sure I won’t go hungry for the next couple of hours that I’ll be writing so I won’t have to stop just to eat.