Writers Blog

Five hacks to overcome the tyranny of the blank page

I unlocked the front door, kicked off my trainers and entered the lounge. Alexa lit up. I wasn't alone. Alexa wanted to give me the news headlines and then fill the room with Capital London’s smooth music. She was poised and ready; flashing green.

She understood how I felt at the enormity of the task ahead. The start of a novel. She wanted to conspire with me; fill my time with some sort of busyness.

But my MacBook was primed and ready too. The early-morning sun streamed in and highlighted my work space. The cushions were straightened, the vase of orange rose buds had the perfect amount of water to bloom, the glittering tiled floors and mirrors reflected the immaculate room. Nothing to procrastinate over.

As I picked up my MacBook, I heard the chime of a text. Aha, someone needs me. That can’t wait. I fished out my iPhone from my handbag. Paused. And it was this pause that proved life-changing.

iPhone in hand, I raced up the stairs (I’m told bursts of physical activity are good for me - releases endorphins, a rush of oxygen to the brain and all that). I entered my bedroom, lifted the mattress, eyed the massive storage space and placed my phone in the most inaccessible corner. To retrieve it, I would have to commando crawl. 

I ran back downstairs, picked up my laptop and saw… words. 175 words. This wasn’t a blank page. I wrote words! I edited those words. That means, I’ve done the research for the next 300 words and thought of my plot points during my morning run. I’m ok. Soon, there will be pages.

I’m going to do this for a week, then a month, then three months (when it becomes a habit).

I felt better as I considered my takeaways:

●    The clean slate is completely overrated. If you’ve set a word count New Year’s resolution, write some words before the start of the first work day

●    Research the day before you write, so it doesn’t turn into an Alexa-colluding going down the rabbit hole morning

●    Plan your plot while driving or running or cooking

●    Create a phone-free writing space

●    Conquer the tyranny of the word count - my word count will take me four years to complete

Because I have to enjoy the process of writing a novel. Right?