So You Think You Can't Write?

[Kirahster]

Hi warriors,

I just wanted to write a quick post with regards to writing articles.

When I first started IM, I was completely resistant to the idea behind article marketing.

Why? Because in my head, I was not able to write! Because I thought I was not able to write, I did not even try to.

A few months ago a kind warrior (Michael Mayo) paid for my entry into the war room. The information in there was just mind-blowing. It totally opened my eyes and filled my head with ideas. It changed they way that I look at IM. It also affirmed for me that it is totally possible to make a lot of money online. You just have to make a plan and stick with it.

So I made my plan. It is in my sig. This is my way of holding myself accountable.

Anyways, back to so you think you can't write.

In order for me to execute my plan, I needed ebooks written. I decided I can either outsource these or write them myself. Funds are tight so I decided to write these ebooks myself. At first, I would spend my time researching, I researched so much that research turned into procrastination.

I had to make myself write. For the first few days it was hard. I had to force myself to type and then take a break every few minutes.

But then it was like I broke some kind of a barrier, perhaps, I broke through the mental barrier that was holding me back. Now I can't stop writing. I have one ebook finished and 2 of them just need to be edited before they are ready to go.

I am like a different person.

I have been writing all morning and now I am going to take a break, go to the playground with my daughter and come back and write some more.

So my reason for this post really, is for people that do not think that they can write.
What is holding you back from writing? Is it a mental barrier like it was with me. If you are in the position that I am in the I suggest that you spend a few days forcing yourself to write and you may surprise yourself. The words may start to flow freely after the first few days of pushing yourself!

[Tina Golden]

Very good post. I have seen so many people post here that they were terrible at writing and so hated it but their posts were well written and articulate. That shows a mental block, not a lack of ability.

Tina

[jam52633]

Oh god, I still can't write. I get brain freeze

[The Brian]

There's an old saying.... "If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're probably right." Who said it first escapes me, but that's not the important thing.

[jazbo]

I hate writing articles, but I love writing ebooks - go figure. Good luck!

[waihon]

Thanks! I found your post inspiring and encouraging.

I'm now seeing the possibility of having my own e-book written and published in the near future.

I also learned that making your goal known publicly may be a good way to keep you going.

[Raydal]

In writing there is a hurdle that you must break through before you
can start flowing. But for sure your brain will fool you into staying
lazy (called "writer's block") and you have to find a system to
get over it. The best system is just to start writing

It gets easier with each page you write. At least, a little easier.

Congratulations on your breakthrough.

-Ray Edwards

[jaybaker]

Ok Jazbo, then write an ebook or two then copy and paste each page in a separate file. Then rework them into at least a one page article. Hopefully that would get you past the mental block or dislike of writing articles.

[Frodr]

Hey Kirahster,

I too was in the same boat... I felt like i would never
be able to make it through writing an entire e-book.

After reading through the war room and the Allens Private posts it also changed the way I look at IM.

Since Joining the War room two weeks ago i have been able to write my first ebook.
Its only 7 pages but it was written by me which is all that matters.

Now i know i can do it and it is possible.

I have learned that writers block is not what was holding me
back.. it was laziness.

Im now learning to listen to my inner thoughts.. If you concentrate on a topic
long enough, your mind will speak to you.. hope i dont sound crazy.. Once you realize that you need to listen
to that little voice inside your head, you'll be golden.

-Felix

[Scott Ames]

Nice post Kirahster !

Let me know how you resolve your health niche with the need for coffee Perhaps you can come up with a healthy reason to drink it .

Just kidding.. Good luck with it. I know you can reach your goal.

[Nightengale]

Just as an aside, I've seen this quote attributed to Henry Ford. I'm not 100% sure about that, still, pretty sure. Doublecheck it.

Originally Posted by The Brian

There's an old saying.... "If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're probably right." Who said it first escapes me, but that's not the important thing.

[Keith Boisvert]

So my reason for this post really, is for people that do not think that they can write.
What is holding you back from writing? Is it a mental barrier like it was with me. If you are in the position that I am in the I suggest that you spend a few days forcing yourself to write and you may surprise yourself. The words may start to flow freely after the first few days of pushing yourself!

I feel/felt the same as you. I never liked writing, although in school I loved writing stories and making crap up, I just hated all of the "english" rules of punctuation, proper sentences, etc., so I think I developed a deep rooted hatred of writing.

I have written a few reports in the past, and once I started it was actually pretty easy and fun, as I know I am not submitting my reports to an english teacher who would probably write more in red marker than I wrote in all!

But still, to this day, I will procrastinate to the cows come home when it comes to writing. I have had a few products ghostwritten for me because of my hatred of writing, and whats funny is after reading them I was pissed because I thought they were not all that great and I could write better...which is pretty funny when you think about it. (no stones thrown at ghostwriters, I just happen to pick one that wasn't that great, shame on me)

But I do agree, once you sit down and force yourself to write, it really just flows, but I think thats true for anything you set your mind to.

keith

[Zeus66]

I think for a lot of people it's too much worry that they don't have anything to add that will impress readers. What you have to constantly remind yourself is that just because you know about something doesn't mean all (or even most) of your readers will share that knowledge. Trust yourself. Don't worry about the thought that some readers will already know what you impart. Others won't. And those are the people who you will impress. Focus on those folks as you write and it gets a lot easier.

Also, have you noticed that new ideas always seem to spring up as you develop concepts and ideas while you write? I often set off to write about Topic A, and within about 3 paragraphs, something I've written will spark some tangential idea/concept I hadn't really considered before I began. OK, I bet you know what I'm talking about here. So, the old me would get all tangled up in those tangents, which usually led to some bad things: taking too long, making a short article way too long, generally a jumbled mess of an article.

What I learned to do was force myself to stick to one goal per article. If my original idea was to explain the history of widgets, then I refused to allow tangents to sidetrack me in that article. But I didn't simply ignore the related ideas that sprang up as I wrote. I started keeping an open Notepad at all times as I wrote. I'd just take each new idea as it popped into my head and quickly type a note about it in that Notepad file. Not only does this keep you on track in the article at hand, it also gives you more article fodder to increase your output.

You'll end up writing more concise, focused articles - which your readers will appreciate - along with writing more articles, which your bank account will appreciate.

Ooh, one more tip...

Try writing short sentences when you're blocked. It may not work for everyone, but when I get really horribly stuck, this almost always helps for some reason. I won't try to explain the psychology because I've thought about it and I got nothing... but it works. Try it.

John

[mla16]

I still struggle when it comes to writing, I havent done any articles for a while but I do write my own blog posts..... baby steps at first, and maybe larger articles will come ??

[Kirahster]

Originally Posted by Scott Ames

Nice post Kirahster !

Let me know how you resolve your health niche with the need for coffee Perhaps you can come up with a healthy reason to drink it .

Just kidding.. Good luck with it. I know you can reach your goal.

As a single mother with a full-time job I rely on coffee to survive. I get up in the morning. Brew a pot, read WF while it is brewing and then get to work when I drink my first cup and the cloud in my head has lifted!

Here is another reason
Health Benefits of Coffee - WebMD

Originally Posted by Keith Boisvert

I have had a few products ghostwritten for me because of my hatred of writing, and whats funny is after reading them I was pissed because I thought they were not all that great and I could write better...which is pretty funny when you think about it.
keith

Keith, I totally agree with this! I have had articles written that I know I could have done better on. The funny thing is I let waiting on these articles hold me back day/weeks(in some cases). If I had sat down and done them myself they would have been finished quicker and more to my liking.

I have also read review copies of products that I wanted to market on Clickbank as an affiliate. Reading the ebook, I though that with a bit of research, I can write an ebook that is written better and with better content.

Originally Posted by Zeus66

I think for a lot of people it's too much worry that they don't have anything to add that will impress readers. What you have to constantly remind yourself is that just because you know about something doesn't mean all (or even most) of your readers will share that knowledge. Trust yourself.
********
Ooh, one more tip...

Try writing short sentences when you're blocked. It may not work for everyone, but when I get really horribly stuck, this almost always helps for some reason. I won't try to explain the psychology because I've thought about it and I got nothing... but it works. Try it.

John

I often find that because I know something I presume that everyone else know. I did a long-term substitute teacher position last year teaching Biology when a teacher was on maternity leave. I would go over a subject that I thought was simple and then look out and see all of these blank, puzzled faces. Turns out what was simple and basic to me was a lot more complicated for the students to grasp.

P.S Thanks for the tip. I will be sure to try it when I am stuck.

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by Kirahster

As a single mother with a full-time job I rely on coffee to survive.

Try 5 Hour Energy Extra. 8,333% of your daily dose of B12.

Know what we used B12 for in the 1980s? A cocaine substitute.

I barely miss coffee.

Wait, I still drink coffee.

Never mind.

[Scott Ames]

Originally Posted by Kirahster

As a single mother with a full-time job I rely on coffee to survive. I get up in the morning. Brew a pot, read WF while it is brewing and then get to work when I drink my first cup and the cloud in my head has lifted!

Here is another reason
Health Benefits of Coffee - WebMD

.

Well there ya go!! Thanks.. I'm going to use that one!

[1960Texan]

Originally Posted by Zeus66

Also, have you noticed that new ideas always seem to spring up as you develop concepts and ideas while you write?
John

I can't tell you how many times that has been true for me. The more I write, the more ideas I have.

Will

[Kirahster]

Originally Posted by CDarklock

Try 5 Hour Energy Extra. 8,333% of your daily dose of B12.

Know what we used B12 for in the 1980s? A cocaine substitute.

I barely miss coffee.

Wait, I still drink coffee.

Never mind.

Hahaha gotta get me some of this stuff!!!

[SeanSupplee]

lol great tips including the 5 hour energy I hate writing but try and force myself to do it every day. I'm not sure if its something you get better at over time but so far no luck here lol

[Michael Mayo]

Ciara, (aka, Kirahster)

I knew when I picked you to receive the free War Room membership that you
would do something with it. You then followed my instructions very well by
not allowing yourself to fall into the trap of Information Overload.

Now, You have earned a one month free membership to the Warrior Dojo.

If you accept the offer, when you find time, send me a PM and tomorrow I
will set up your account and contact you with the secret hand shake and
the log in info.

We will chat a bit to find out where you are and then set you up a plan to
reach your goals.

Thanks for the Kudos!
Talk with you soon.
Michael

[Kirahster]

Originally Posted by Michael Mayo

Ciara, (aka, Kirahster)

Now, You have earned a one month free membership to the Warrior Dojo.

If you accept the offer, when you find time, send me a PM and tomorrow I
will set up your account and contact you with the secret hand shake and
the log in info.

We will chat a bit to find out where you are and then set you up a plan to
reach your goals.

l

Is there a fist-pump symbol because that is what I am doing right now!

[Michael Mayo]

Here, This is the closest thing I could find.


LOL...
Talk with you tomorrow!
Have a Great Night!
Michael