At the time of writing this, I’ve not long returned from doing a workshop for a wonderful writing group in Oban. I’ve also just had a chat with a friend who’s been over to Ireland doing some poetry readings. In practically every conversation we writers have about our processes, procrastination and self-criticism raise their ugly, angry heads.

But why? Why are we, as writers, so hard on ourselves?

As well as a writer, I’m also a school-teacher and facilitator of workshops for adults. In all three roles, it’s important to be critical. Essential. I’m trained in it on three fronts. Then, as a mum, I’m always thinking about things I could do better. So for those of you out there struggling with self-criticism, I sympathise, I really do.

We all have an inner critic. Self-criticism can be useful, there's no doubt. But too much of a good thing can be harmful. Too much (or misplaced) self-criticism and perfectionism can make you feel like you're driving though life with your handbrake on.

In both Wellspring and Magpie Mind, I advise you on how to tune out your critical voice when it really matters - during the initial creative burst of writing. Later on - when editing, it can definitely help. But if self-criticism is hindering your progress, then it's time to try something else. 

Many writers believe that self-criticism will make them better writers.  Reflecting critically can definitely be useful. But self-criticism can easily turn toxic. Trust me – I know and struggle with this on a daily basis. The first time I went on a meditation retreat was tough. Meditation and writing, especially journaling, can put a mirror up to what goes on in your head that you so often distract yourself from. I hadn’t realised before then just how unreasonable I was with myself. Now I’m glad to be able to work one-to-one and in workshops with writers to help them uncover and defeat their own critical voices.

Mind you, we can all think of people, and writers, who could do with being a little more critical of their writing. I’ve just heard that narcissism is a secret to happiness. In which case, Donald Trump must be just about the happiest person in the world. So while thinking we’re great can make us happier, it doesn’t make us better at our writing or jobs. Research shows that people who believe they’re performed a task well are likely to perform less well in future. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20804261 It makes sense, I suppose. If you already think you’re great, why bother putting the effort into doing a better job next time?

Of course it’s important to listen to feedback in order to improve our writing as much as we can. But this article tells us that self-criticism actually increases procrastination and naval-gazing, and therefore stops us from doing so well next time. If, deep down, you don’t think you’ll succeed, then why bother even trying?

It’s a problem endemic to writers...

But if critical thinking is so important to improvement, and we want to improve our writing, then what can we do to balance up these tensions? Feel free to have a read of Wellspring to help you with procrastination. And here are a few more suggestions:

• Reframe your thinking away from criticising yourself. Remember that you’re a good person. Yes, you might make mistakes, but there are lots of brilliant things about you as well – and making mistakes sometimes doesn’t stop those things from being true.
• Criticise behaviour, not the person. If, for example, you spend your evening watching telly rather than completing that deadline you set yourself, tell yourself that relaxation is important too and you’ll just set a time limit next time – instead of hitting yourself over the head about how you’re lazy and disorganised and “should”  have been doing something more productive. 
• When you’re low, ask your loved (and trusted) ones to give you a list of things that are great about you (and your writing).
• Keep a ‘happy box’ of memories, literary acceptances, lovely feedback and so on to remind you of your successes and strengths.
• Move your focus away from yourself. Focus on what your writing might do to help others.

All the best, folks! Let me know how it goes, and if you'd like a bit of one-to-one help, whether online or in person, to give you a creative boost, feel free to get in touch.

Happy writing,
Laura

Just Write Sessions

Three whole hours of writing. In great company. Peer pressure at its best!

Free to all, 11am - 2pm on Thursdays. Other dates and times coming up. I'll send the Zoom link out to you lucky folk on this e-mail list just before each session.

In recognition of the financial difficulties many now face, and to support the development of all writers, I provide these for free. Donations are very welcome: shorturl.at/izEG7 

Scholarship Fund

All donations go towards supporting writers who cannot afford workshops or 1-to-1 support (I contribute 50% of the costs of these, and the Zoom membership fee). 

It's a well-established fact that working-class writers are under represented in the publishing industry. We want to help change this. Everyone deserves the chance to learn and to express themselves in a supportive and inspiring space! 

To donate and to find out more, click here: shorturl.at/izEG7
 
Writing Workshops - Taster Term

Over the course of four weeks, we'll use writing exercises to ignite your motivation, jump start your creativity and blast yourself out of your rut.

Writers of all experiences and inclinations are warmly welcome.

Workshops begin the first week of November

• Tuesday Mornings: 10-11.30
• Wednesday Evenings: 7-8.30

Get into great habits from right now, this moment. Don't put it off.

https://figmentcreativity.com/workshops.html

We've done it everyone! We've made it past Blue Monday.

Christmas and New Year seem like an age away – not just a few weeks, don’t they?

Those of us who made New Year resolutions might be struggling with them by now. Around a quarter of people give up their resolutions after one week. By mid-January, most have. Less than ten percent of people are successful with their New Year resolutions. So if you’ve made it this long – well done! 

It’s not easy. Blue Monday – the third Monday of January, is the term used since 2005 for the most depressing day of the year. The weather, dark mornings and evenings, January debt, the come-down from the festive season and failure with resolutions - all can combine to destroy your motivation and energy levels.

But plenty of people don’t make resolutions at New Year, and for good reason. It’s a pretty arbitrary date, after all. You can make changes to your lifestyle at any time, any day, any minute. You could take a hold of the reins and begin right now.

So for those of you who want to get into good habits with your writing, or any other aspect of your lifestyle, read on for few tips, or order your copies of Wellspring and Magpie Mind  here for more advice

   ​Those of you who are on social media may well have seen that I’m running a crowdfunder. It’s been a brilliant learning experience and surprisingly easy! Here I am to share what I’ve learned so you can see why it might be a great way to help your writing projects.  

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1. I’ve found it great because it’s forced me to push beyond my usual squeamishness about promoting Figment and my books. Remember, if you’re putting your project up there for people to fund, it’s because you feel it’s worth funding. Hold on to that when you’re feeling nervous!
2. For me, the KickStarter has worked well as a pre-order system. If you put an audiobook on Audible, if you keep it exclusive to Audible, then you receive a much higher percentage as incentive. So this was a way to offer the Wellspring and Magpie Mind audiobooks to friends an early bird discount without the Audible exclusivity. Plus the bonus is that this support is funding the professional production.
3. Crowdfunding your writing project provides a great deal of focus. With a deadline and a target, you become much more proactive. It forces you to consider the value of your work and helps you realise just how much you have to offer people.
4. Running a crowdfunding campaign stretches your marketing skills, helps you be more creative about marketing your work and you learn very clearly what people are interested in, who your engaged audience are, who values what you do, who’ll work with you, and who’ll reciprocate a favour. So you learn where to best put your energies.
5. You also find that you engage with more people: people you’ve not spoken with for some time, and new contact, because the more you go on social media to highlight your project, the higher your profile is – I’ve since had opportunities offered by people simply because they heard of me or were reminded of me while I was pushing the crowdfunder. I’m also working with more writing groups around Scotland now who’d like me to come do workshops on procrastination and creativity with them.

It’s all about the rewards. Think carefully about these: people will engage more if they know they’re raising money for a quality product, but also want the rewards you offer.

• Offer special one-off opportunities. I’m offering people the chance to come and sit in while I record the audiobooks, plus the chance to come and read a section of the audiobook and have their voice heard around the world!
• Work with others to offer rewards. The Stirling Photography festival worked with local artists, national photographers, Creative Stirling and the Art Collection to provide some brilliant rewards for funders.

 
Have a look at mine to see some examples of rewards. I add new opportunities on there practically every other day, so stay tuned! I’m always open to feedback, so please do feel free to let me know your thoughts and suggestions.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/figmentbooks/audio-book-creation-wellspring-and-magpie-mind

More tips

• Use your contacts. It helped that I already know a lot of people. People I’ve done favours for in the past, people I’ve helped, supported, promoted and provided opportunities for.
• Tell people about it before hand – I didn’t and I regret that!
• Timelines: a six-week campaign is ideal. Finish it at month-end.
• Use the time-limits to offer rewards for only a couple of days. This helps generate  excitement about limited editions or special offerings – such as the little bespoke thank you boxes of inspiration in the picture above, every one with different props to inspire Wellspring (6-minute) writing.
• Be prepared for the time it will take – promote every day. It will also take time and energy to think up new ideas for each day so that it doesn’t become samey and spammy. Remember the work doesn’t end when the crowd-funder ends – you then have to fulfill the rewards and keep in touch with the new contacts you’ve made.
• People like to see their name in lights: offer to put their name in the back or the front of the book (or in the list of thanks at the end of the audiobook)

 
  
Here are some writing and publishing projects you might like to use a KickStarter to help you fund:

• Book/pamphlet/magazine production (design, illustration, type-setting, editing, printing) 
• Audiobook recording
• Fees for a professional tutor/mentor
• Anthology production
• Writing software
• Calendars

Think about it - and if you do go for it, have fun! You've no idea the doors it might open for you.

Happy writing!
Laura

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