Please welcome, Naomi Nakashima, our WOW! Women On Writing guest today. She is the author of Write Out Loud, a way to gain enough confidence in our writing to enable us to write a book. She has also written us a wonderful guest post on this same subject, ways to get over our writing fears, complete with some amazing writing prompts.
Unleashing Your Inner Wordsmith: Unconventional Writing Hacks and Tips That Actually Work
by Naomi Nakashima
Writing a book is equal parts exciting and exhausting, creative and challenging. When the words are flowing, we live on cloud 9. But when the words stop, or when we start struggling to find the time to write, or feeling stuck in our creative process, writing a book becomes a source of anxiety and self-doubt. When you need that extra boost of inspiration to get you started, writing hacks and tips can help.
These unconventional approaches can help you get past writer’s block, ignite your creativity, and ultimately write the novel that’s burning to get out. By the end of this article, you’ll have plenty of ideas on how to tackle your next writing project with ease and efficiency.
The Power of Music
Music can be a powerful tool to help writers get into the zone and focus on their work. It has been shown to have positive effects on mood, productivity, and even creativity.
The right music can provide a background soundtrack that helps you tune out distractions and immerse yourself in your writing. Different people prefer different genres of music when they write, so it’s important to experiment and find what works best for you.
Some writers prefer calming, ambient instrumental tracks that create a peaceful atmosphere conducive to concentration. Others might enjoy listening to upbeat pop or rock music that gets them energized and motivated. For me, it usually depends on what it is I’m trying to write. If I need to invoke a particular emotion, then I try to find music to match. Sometimes assigning a particular song to a book or to a character, sort of like a theme song, gives me a tool to call up inspiration through association.
One popular genre for writing is classical music. Science says classical music can stimulate the brain and improve cognitive function, and while I am no scientist, I can say that Mozart’s almost always gets me into a writing rhythm when I just need something to recenter my focus and grounding.
Specific genres and playlists to try out:
If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next writing session playlist, here are some popular genres and playlists that writers have found helpful:
- Lo-fi hip hop: This ambient genre features relaxing beats that can help you focus without being too distracting.
- Video game soundtracks: Especially for RPG games… these instrumental tracks are designed to keep players focused during long gaming sessions – why not give them a try for writing?
Of course, music is just as personal a choice as the writing journey itself, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you!
Writing Prompts: Sparking Creativity
I’ve read so many blog posts that say writer’s block isn’t really a thing, and I don’t know if it is or if it isn’t. But what I do know is that from time to time, I struggle with a profound lack of inspiration. And during those times, it feels like no matter what I try to spark that inspiration and get back into my books, my muse just won’t come.
Enter writing prompts. Writing prompts can be an effective tool for getting those creative juices flowing and unlocking new ideas for your writing. Using prompts can help you explore different perspectives, emotions, and scenarios that you might not have thought of otherwise.
One of the main benefits of using writing prompts is that they provide an external source of inspiration. Instead of staring at a blank page and waiting for inspiration to strike, you have a starting point to work from.
This can be especially helpful if you’re working on a specific project or genre and need fresh ideas to keep things interesting. Even if you’re not struggling with writer’s block, using writing prompts can help expand your creativity and challenge your writing skills.
Examples of Unique Writing Prompts
If you’re new to using writing prompts, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. There are countless resources available online with different types of prompts depending on what kind of writing you want to do.
Here are a few unique examples to get started
- Choose a random object in your room and write about its history or how it would feel if it suddenly came alive.
- Write a scene from the perspective of an animal watching humans in their daily life. – Rewrite the ending of your favorite book or movie.
- Imagine the world without one sense – taste, touch, sight, hearing or smell – and write about how it would impact everyday life.
Don’t be afraid to try something outside of your comfort zone or combine multiple prompts into one story idea. The goal is simply to get inspired and let your creativity flow onto the page.
Unconventional Writing Spaces
Writing a book is a long and often solitary process, and it can be easy to get stuck in a rut when you’re staring at the same four walls day after day. So why not change it up every once in a while? Not only can getting out of the house help you beat writer’s block, but it can also boost creativity and give you a fresh perspective on your work.
Why changing up your writing environment can be beneficial
When we’re constantly in the same space, our brains become accustomed to that environment and begin to associate it with certain tasks. For example, if you always write in your home office, your brain will start to think of that space as a place where work happens. And that’s great when you need to feel productive. But not always helpful when you’re trying to feel creative.
By changing up your writing environment, you’re giving your brain new stimuli and forcing it out of its comfort zone, which can lead to increased creativity.
Examples of unusual places to write, such as a park or coffee shop
Some writers find inspiration by getting closer to nature. If that sounds like you, try taking your laptop or notebook outside for some fresh air. A nearby park or even just sitting under a tree in your backyard might be just the thing to help break through writer’s block.
I myself prefer more urban environments, like writing at a coffee shop or bookstore café. Between the people-watching and lull of the background noise, it’s just enough distraction to let ideas flow freely without becoming overwhelming.
The key is finding an unconventional space where you feel comfortable enough to focus on writing but are not so comfortable that you become distracted by other activities. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find the perfect spot!
What are some of your favorite writing hacks?
You’ve probably heard me say it about a billion times, but I’ll say it again: if writing a book were easy, everybody would be doing it. So writers like us can use all the help we can get when that vein of creativity gets blocked. Hopefully, these weird but effective writing hacks and tips can make the process a little easier for you.
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Thank you, Naomi, for your great post. I hope our readers will leave their comments below.
Book Summary
Are you still struggling with your book? Feeling overwhelmed or creatively blocked with self-doubt, fear, and general anxiety about what it means to write a book? Are you still wondering if you have what it takes to even write a book?
Not all fears are created equal.
Write Out Loud is a step-by-step guide to help you identify the fears that are keeping you from sharing your story so you can beat them back and finally write your book with confidence. In Write Out Loud, you’ll learn how to:
- identify the source of your self-doubts and fears
- validate your book idea
- gain self-belief (in your story and in your ability to write your story)
- start writing your first draft with confidence
- feel comfortable talking about your book idea
- And, yes, much more!
Amazon bestselling author and ghostwriter Naomi D. Nakashima brings her experience of helping authors to write and publish their books along with her training as a psychotherapist to walk you through the sometimes painful process of facing your fears and sharing your story. If you’re ready to finally sit down and start writing your book without the fear and anxiety, read Write Out Loud: How to Get Over your Fears and Build the Confidence to Finally Write Your Book.
ISBN-10: 8987209820
ISBN-13: 979-8987209820
ASIN: B0BXTCZ7Y6
Print Length: 207 pages
Purchase a copy of Write Out Loud on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Bookshop.org. You can also get an autographed copy (and put more money back in the author’s hands) by purchasing it on Glitz and Glamour. Make sure you also add it to your GoodReads reading list.
About the Author
Naomi D. Nakashima is a bestselling author of nonfiction, a ghostwriter with 20 years experience, a trained psychotherapist, and a TikTok writing coach with thousands of followers who attend her coaching events and regular Q&As. Everything I Need to Know About Parenting I Learned from Watching Star Trek, her first book published under her name, became an international Amazon bestseller and stayed on the bestseller list for step-parenting and blended families for three years.
As a single mother of two, Naomi daydreams about spending her free time reading books, diamond painting, and traveling the world.
Follow her online at:
Website: https://helpmenaomi.com/
Shop: https://shop.glitzandgrammar.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helpmenaomi
Twitter: https://twitter.com/helpmenaomi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helpmenaomi/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/helpmenaomi/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helpmenaomi/
Great guest post!