The best advice I got for my writing

Always start with your summary

When I embarked on one of my first invited chapters for a handbook, I felt extremely proud. Glory and fame seemed only a few keyboard strokes away. The pleasure did not last long, since one day, one of the editors asked me to hand in my summary. ,My what?’, I replied immediately, asking how I could possibly write my summary now, not having a single clue what my well refined and most accomplished conclusions would be after having completed all that tedious research. ,That is exactly the point’, the editor patiently replied. ,It’s like your elevator pitch. Once you have it ready, more than half of your job has already been done.’

It was the best piece of advice for my writing that I ever got. So no matter what you write next, start with your summary. Once you finished it, you will have a clear picture about what you are going to write, whether it is a book, an article or a brief. You can always revise your summary once you completed the main text. But you will never get a better chance to focus on your writing.

Schedule regular writing sessions

Have you ever been spending time at your shoemaker’s, watching him doing his work? If not, do it, it is one of the most beautiful things to do. Now I am quite sure that your shoemaker has never mentioned that inspiring moment he is waiting for making his next pair of shoes. On the other hand, I am rather certain that one of your colleagues told you exactly that. ,If only that moment of inspiration would come up next week, my deadline is approaching.’

When a friend of mine talked to me about that mysterious inspirational moment the other day, I dared asking him whether he ever missed out on a teaching assignment. Of course he did not. What a stupid question to ask. So I asked an ever more stupid question, namely whether he had scheduled any writing sessions for next week. I also told him that I got this most helpful advice from Paul Silvia’s beautiful book on 'How to write a lot' (APA Life Tools 2007), but then he had already left my office, worrying about his deadline.

Stick to your schedule

Since I read that book from Silvia, my writing sessions are on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7.30 to 10 AM. You will not be able to call me during those hours. Also, my door is locked and my WiFi is off. Now I know that this sounds about as sexy as having that regular yoga class on Sundays. But then again, why not trust Ralph Keyes, a writer who earns a living by having published more than 16 books. According to his marvelous ?Writer’s book of hope‘: ?routine is a better friend than inspiration‘

It’s like that yoga class really, or that favourite series of yours. You simply allot time for it, instead of desperately trying to find it. Treat your writing sessions like a writer's retreat. It does not matter whether you write for one week or two hours. Just schedule it.

Work for the Carrie moment

Once you scheduled your writing sessions, preparing them is easy. Simply download Ulysses for Mac OS X or OmmWriter for Windows. Both are beautiful, Zen-like apps that keep distraction off. You will stay focussed, whether you are writing at home or in that busy café round the corer. You will feel as inspired as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City when she is writing that column.

Be a journalist

Finally, always carry a notebook with you, no matter where you go. My personal favorites are from Moleskine and Navadesign. Together with one of those slim stylish pens from Bobino, they even fit into your jeans. Take notes about everything that might inspire your writing. Use the last ten pages of that notebook to monitor your progress during your writing sessions by jotting down the numbers of words you have written. I know it sounds nerdy. But then again, nerdiness and sex appeal sometimes go hand in hand. Just look at Carrie Bradshaw and how she writes her column. There's a great deal to be learnt from great writers. The first thing is routine. Start it now.