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7 Things Writers Do Instead Of Writing

A large part of writing is the stuff that comes before—the not-writing.

Carolina Mendes

May 20, 2019

University of Connecticut

210

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Part of being a writer is… you know… actually writing. But I rarely meet a writer who finds it easy to fight against procrastination and focus wholeheartedly on their project without getting distracted. Often, a large part of writing is the stuff that comes before—the not-writing.

I mean, really, can you call yourself a writer if you don't overcome all the obstacles and distractions that stand between you and your work? I don't think so!

1. Create a long playlist.

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You're going to be writing for several hours, and each song has to align with the plot and scenes of each chapter while fitting with the tone of the story. This means that your playlist needs to be carefully selected and rearranged. Several times over, perhaps.

2. Grab a snack.

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You're going to be writing for a long time, and you're going to get hungry…

3. Research more.

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How do you say this word in another language? Or is it possible to jump from the second floor of a building without being injured in the process? You'll have to do some digging on the web to confirm the answers, even if you already have a concise Word document filled with research.

4. Hop onto Pinterest.

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You still haven't figured out a character, so why not make an aesthetic board to figure them out? (Warning: you will fall down the Pinterest hole. Exercise caution.)

5. Talk to your friends about your project.

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Yes, spend all that time talking about your story instead of actually writing it.

6. Debate over which font to use.

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Times New Roman makes you feel like you're writing a high school paper, but Comic Sans looks like it is meant for children. Sigh.

7. Check your social media.

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It's been a minute since you last checked it. Maybe something has happened since then.

If you're a writer, then listen to me: just start writing. I know it feels impossible at times, especially when the words aren't flowing right and everything around you seems to be a mess. But there is no way you'll be able to tell the story if you don't fill the pages, and even if they're terrible and the first draft is a wreck, at least you have something to work with.

Just keep writing.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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7 Things Writers Do Instead Of Writing

A large part of writing is the stuff that comes before—the not-writing.

1. Create a long playlist.

2. Grab a snack.

3. Research more.

4. Hop onto Pinterest.

5. Talk to your friends about your project.

6. Debate over which font to use.

7. Check your social media.

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A bad day at the lake is still better than a good day not at the lake.

You know the best beaches and coves to go to.

You have no patience for the guy who can't back his trailer into the water right.

Doing the friendly wave to every boat you pass.

The cooler is always packed, mostly with beer.

Giving the idiot who goes 30 in a "No Wake Zone" a piece of your mind.

You have no problem with peeing in the water.

You know the frustration of getting your anchor stuck.

Watching in awe at the bigger, better boats that pass by.

Knowing any swimsuit that you own with white in it is best left for the pool or the ocean.

The momentary fear for your life as you get launched from the tube.

You're able to go to the restaurants by the water wearing minimal clothing.

Having unexpected problems with your boat.

Having a name for your boat unique to you and your life.

There's no better place you'd rather be in the summer.

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1. My school is incredibly unique.

2. I am not just a number at my school.

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2. Princess Bride

3. Office Space

4. Sixteen Candles

5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off

6. Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

7. ​Absolutely Anything (Robin William's Last Movie)​

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9. To Kill a Mockingbird

10. A Few Good Men

11. Good Will Hunting

12. Dead Poet’s Society

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14. The Shining

15. Silence of the Lambs

16. Jaws

17. Casablanca

18. Singin’ in the Rain

19. E.T. Extra Terrestrial

20. Zootopia (basically all things Disney, except frozen)

21. Alien

22. Gone With the Wind

23. Harry Potter (All of them)

24. Star Wars (All but Rogue One)

25. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Arc

26. Die Hard

27. Titanic

28. It’s a Wonderful Life

29. Lord of the Rings (All three)

30. Airplane

31. Ghostbusters

32. Groundhog Day

33. A Clockwork Orange

34. The Terminator

35. Saving Private Ryan

36. Carrie (1976)

37. Pulp Fiction

38. Sixth Sense

39. The Matrix

40. West Side Story

41. Fight Club

42. Shaun of the Dead

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7. Absolutely Anything (Robin William's Last Movie)