Pomodoro/Egg Timer

A lot of times I sit down to write and I don't know what I'm doing.  I can't see the whole thing and I'm not inspired.  I hate the damn thing.  I have to watch the kid kind of thing, and I'd rather be doing something else.  But, it's your kid (metaphorical, creative kid) and you can't just ignore the thing.  You could, but then the kid would grow up with issues.

So, you don't over think it.  Don't try and do too much.  Just do 25 minutes.  Just spend 25 minutes with the kid and see what happens.  No expectations.  No nothing.  You spend 25 minutes, you win.  You don't have to FIGURE OUT the scene, you don't have to WIN A PULITZER PRIZE, you just spend 25 minutes.  That kind of stupid, simple, achievable goal - is the thing that gets me from one word to the next.  You just have to do that... I mean, if I can't do that... I'm stupid.  I'm a sucker.  I can't find 25 minutes...?  Come on, you know how many lackluster, non-productive things I could list that I have done -- that take MINIMALLY 25 minutes?

Ok.

I'm not the only one who feels this way.  Chuck Palahniuk has his "egg timer" method.  I don't have an egg timer.  I have a little pomodoro app on my computer.  So -- there you go :)

Two years ago, when I wrote the first of these essays it was about my “egg timer method” of writing.  You never saw that essay, but here’s the method:  When you don’t want to write, set an egg timer for one hour (or half hour) and sit down to write until the timer rings.  If you still hate writing, you’re free in an hour.  But usually, by the time that alarm rings, you’ll be so involved in your work, enjoying it so much, you’ll keep going.  Instead of an egg timer, you can put a load of clothes in the washer or dryer and use them to time your work.  Alternating the thoughtful task of writing with the mindless work of laundry or dish washing will give you the breaks you need for new ideas and insights to occur.  If you don’t know what comes next in the story…  clean your toilet.  Change the bed sheets.  For Christ sakes, dust the computer.  A better idea will come.

Thanks Chuck!  (more on Chuck P. here: http://chuckpalahniuk.net/workshop/essays/chuck-palahniuk)

So, get out there and toss the ball around with your creative kid.  There's not that much that's good on TV -- it's just 25 minutes :)