Finish That First Draft And Other Writing Tips

Some Tips To Keep You Writing

As I discussed in a previous post, UCLA Extension Writers’ Program has a new Writing Tip video series in which Writers’ Program instructors share quick tips about how to keep yourself invested in your own writing.

Here are some new videos in the series.

In this tip, I offer a way to turn off your inner critic and finish a first draft:

Mike Buckley gives a wonderful tip about mapping out your writing when it comes to both setting and story timeline:

And Barbara Abercrombie offers a great tip to get yourself unstuck by doing five minute writing exercises:

There are more great writing tips in this series, both existing and upcoming. Keep checking in with the Writers’ Program YouTube channel, or search the hashtag #MyWritingTip on Twitter, to both watch more tips and offer your own.

Enjoy!

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Discussion

01. Sue Coletta

For those struggling with time to write your advice is excellent, Colette. Personally, I’ve never had the “find time to write problem,” but I definitely have the inner critic screaming “You suck!” more often than I’d like. I much prefer the sweet voice crooning, “You’ve just created magic,” but she isn’t around as much, sadly. Can you tell who’s screaming at me today? LOL
02. colette

Oh, the “You suck!” voice is the most prevalent one for me too – that one pounds any sweet voice that tries to pipe up in my head. In fact, I don’t even trust that sweet voice because as soon as she says something nice, a rejection comes flying into my inbox. 🙂
03. Ruth

Thank you for this post, Colette. Just what I need as a dive back to work after the summer.
04. colette

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!! And BTW, you get a pass on writing this summer. Something tells me you had other things on your mind!

Comments are closed for now.

01. Sue Coletta

For those struggling with time to write your advice is excellent, Colette. Personally, I’ve never had the “find time to write problem,” but I definitely have the inner critic screaming “You suck!” more often than I’d like. I much prefer the sweet voice crooning, “You’ve just created magic,” but she isn’t around as much, sadly. Can you tell who’s screaming at me today? LOL

02. colette

Oh, the “You suck!” voice is the most prevalent one for me too – that one pounds any sweet voice that tries to pipe up in my head. In fact, I don’t even trust that sweet voice because as soon as she says something nice, a rejection comes flying into my inbox. 🙂

03. Ruth

Thank you for this post, Colette. Just what I need as a dive back to work after the summer.

04. colette

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!! And BTW, you get a pass on writing this summer. Something tells me you had other things on your mind!