Comments on: The value of self-talk for writers

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 21:04:00 +0000

In reply to Chris. Oh, there's great entertainment value in talking to yourself, Chris!

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:33:00 +0000

Daphne, I worked in an open office environment and had no problems filtering the ambient phone chats and business goings on. I was able to lose myself in the words and finding the perfect verbs.
I’ve never talked to myself out loud, so maybe I will give that a try next time I am hitting a block and need a creative nudge.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 15:02:00 +0000

In reply to Heather Beers.

Thanks for your kind words, Heather. Also keep in mind that 800 words is a relatively generous length and you can fit a LOT in there. My best advice is to do lots of paraphrasing and use only the very best quotes. You can see more on this here: https://www.publicationcoach.com/how-to-paraphrase/ And, yes, of course, you don’t need to win a Pulitzer!!!

By: Heather Beers

Heather Beers — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 02:27:00 +0000

Daphne, this is superbly helpful to me this week! (So what’ new, right?) I have a deadline looming in two weeks. The complexity of the man I’m profiling, and the tiny word count for such a terrific guy (800 words max), worry me that I just can’t do it. But guess what? Thanks to you, I will remind myself of this glorious truth: You don’t have to win the Pulitzer Prize, Heather. You just have to finish the story. And that’s something I CAN do. 🙂

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:19:00 +0000

In reply to Bulletproof Coffee Devotee. Thanks for posting the title. I should have thought of that!

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:18:00 +0000

In reply to Bob. Bob: I was speaking recently with my brother-in-law (an engineer) about white noise machines and he tells me that they are much less popular than they used to be because they make people feel exhausted. Essentially, the put more noise in the air and that is tiring. I'd never thought of that. We didn't have white noise in the newsroom but the floor was carpeted and there were drapes etc. By the way, I agree with your comment about "oh, crap!"

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:18:00 +0000

In reply to Samadhi. Do you mean arguments with yourself, Samadhi?

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:15:00 +0000

In reply to Nicleau. I believe there's a formula related to noise: total quiet makes it hard to concentrate but a modest level of noise actually helps.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:15:00 +0000

In reply to authr2. I've used the same line for many years. It usually gets a smile out of people!

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 19:15:00 +0000

An aside about open office noise – I remember discussing white noise with you some time ago, but it probably bears repetition.
When I worked in an open office, there was an audio masking system in use with white noise from loudspeakers in the ceiling. I had not been aware of its presence until one day it was switched off. I then found the chatter, typewriters, footsteps etc very disturbing.
Back on the main topic, there is no doubt self-motivation talk is useful, but self-deprecation is not. I suppose “Oh! Crap!” lies somewhere in between.