Want to be a more productive writer? Try an Agraphia group. It's working for me!
I know that we all suffer from "writer's block," although that's probably not a good phrase to describe it. At least, for me. I know when I'm not blocked, I'm completely stymied, and can't even bring myself to sit down and open the file, let alone attempt to write and then find myself "blocked."
I've found a technique that helps. Perhaps it will help you too.
"Agraphia" is the inability to express oneself in writing. An Agraphia group has gotten me unstuck.
- You assemble a group of classmates or colleagues who want to develop more discipline about their writing.
- You commit to be accountable to one another.
- You meet periodically (mine meets weekly), and each person sets writing goals they want to achieve before the following meeting. Since we're all working on different projects, everyone's goals are different. One person might want to finish edits on her proposal. Another might want to finalize a conference submission. Someone else might want to complete the research for a lit review. The key is to choose a goal that's somewhat challenging, but still attainable. In my group, we keep track of these on a spreadsheet that we all share through Dropbox.
- At the next meeting, each person reports on whether they achieved their goal, and if not, what the obstacles were. Others give advice and motivation. Perhaps the person "bit off more than they could chew" in setting too large a goal, perhaps they allowed distractions to get in the way, perhaps it couldn't be helped. Other group members will give you empathy and support. Then you set new goals for the coming week.
Our group never misses a meeting. I'm told this is essential, as these groups can tend to fizzle out if people aren't committed. But if you can bring together some committed people, it's amazing. My partners and I will hang around after our meeting and work, individually, on our laptops. It has created a discipline for me.
It also uses "social shaming" in a good way. We have promised to be honest to one another, and in a week where I didn't achieve my goals, I'm a bit embarrassed about it - especially if the others achieved and surpassed theirs. But it's valuable to examine whether the goal was feasible in the first place, and hear my partners' ideas about how to do better next time.
A lot of you have shared that you struggle with writing. Being accountable to others can help.
That said, I share my goal for today: to transcribe three interviews. I'll report back tonight to let you know how I did.