Comments on: What a circus act can teach you about writing…

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 14 May 2015 19:36:00 +0000

In reply to Sneha. Thanks for your kind words, Sheha. I'm afraid I'm not a fiction writer so I can't address your question about plotting. Perhaps some of my readers can reply?

By: Sneha

Sneha — Thu, 14 May 2015 18:46:00 +0000

In reply to Daphne Gray-Grant.

Hi Daphne, Nice to come across your blog. Your article is thoughtful and crisp. Although I do use my multitasking skills but definitely just in my kitchen and probably because I find that little boring. So sooner the better policy. Since I love writing short stories and poems, that multitasking is out of question, as time flies like anything in the process.
I think one just can’t write a big whole story without drafting a rough plot, for which a rough layout and some structured editing is needed before you really sit seriously to type it down. Can u just clear me on this please. Thanks
Love your blog
Sneha

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 14 May 2015 15:37:00 +0000

In reply to Cathy. Glad to help, Cathy. How is your thesis going?

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 14 May 2015 15:36:00 +0000

In reply to Janeth E. Gomez. Hmm, you can really only do one thing at a time. The only exception might be something like listening to music (or a podcast) while doing housework or garden work. But even then, I think it would make the housework/ garden work slower.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 14 May 2015 15:35:00 +0000

In reply to Mickey. I agree! Setting a timer is a little bit of magic!

By: Mickey

Mickey — Thu, 14 May 2015 15:09:00 +0000

That monkey mind thing . . . it helps me when I set a timer, the 25 minute exercise you spoke of some time ago has helped. It’s a bit like me telling my dog, “just a minute” she sits and waits until I’m finished with what I’m doing. By setting the timer it’s like telling the monkeys, “I’ll get to you in a minute.” Silly but it seems to help. Loved this post!

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 14 May 2015 15:06:00 +0000

What a timely post, Daphne! I appreciate the reminder that thinking time is NOT in front of the computer. It is difficult to reconcile the lack of “progress” in the number of words produced or hours of good, clean editing but I know there are days when I do more thinking than writing and then the flow of writing just happens so much more easily.

Thank you for you succinct blogs. I have shared your website with my fellow PhD writing group members hoping your writing suggestions will help with the often painful process of academic writing!

By: Janeth E. Gomez

Janeth E. Gomez — Thu, 14 May 2015 14:44:00 +0000

Hi hello Ma’am Daphne, Actually I am not a good writer because i am afraid for the result of my composition. I am very poor in grammar and making a paragraph but I will try my best to give some insight about the topic. But please help me to be a good writer because I prefer numbers or I am incline with mathematics but i really need to enhance writing skills especially i am a teacher in the Philippines. I learned and excited to join because I learned it from my online course ” Learning how to Learn” that recently I joined the class.
For me as a working mother I think multitasking is very helpful to save time we can clean a house while cooking right.another example while writing and making some coarse at home we listen a news or music.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Thu, 14 May 2015 01:00:00 +0000

In reply to Michael. Thanks for your kind words.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 13 May 2015 13:25:00 +0000

Hi Daphne,
You may not know what to do with a soccer ball, but you sure know how to get the most out of a story—clearly an under-appreciated, highly valuable writing-thinking skill.
Thanks!