ANDRE BEGIN

Have you ever noticed how there are some articles that require a fair bit of time and effort to bring them across the finish line while there are others that can almost write themselves, with little fussing, finessing or reliance on AI required?

Over many years of blogging, I certainly have, but it’s only recently that I figured out the common denominators and how this lesson learned can help in the creative process.

For me, the articles that I can normally breeze through are a recounting of a situation or event that could be categorized as “this happened to me.” The articles that generally take longer are opinion pieces sharing my thoughts on a given topic.

Stories that happened to me

What makes these types of articles easier for me to write is the fact that they are almost always fully-formed stories. Whether the object is to share a funny story, a poignant moment or a life lesson I learned, they require very little alteration to achieve the desired outcome.

When I dictate the first draft to my iPhone, I just tell the story as it happened, breaking down the story into its beats and elements, as if I was sharing it with a friend.

When the first draft has been transferred to my computer, then I can play around with it. I can pick and choose where to place the literary magnifying glass, emphasizing the elements that build up the story while downplaying or deleting the ones that don’t contribute to the flow.

To me, retelling a story that actually happened doesn’t require the same amount of plotting and planning as writing an article that is a reflection of my imagination or my thought process.

Opinion pieces

To me, opinion pieces are a more delicate balancing act to pull off, requiring more time and attention. Pride prevents me from wanting to look like a complete idiot when expressing my opinions in public.

For that reason, opinion pieces sometimes require further research into the issue. They also require the formulation of a logical flow of ideas, critical thought and analysis. There are times when they require fact-based evidence to support the argument I wish to put forth. In the end, I want my articles to be defendable and bulletproof.

More than that, they are never intended to offend anyone but rather to provoke thought and discussion, requiring a step back and a return with a fresh pair of eyes to ensure that I maintained sensitivity and empathy throughout.

Why does this distinction help?

When we feel that the gears of writing might be slowing down but our creative energy is still ready for action, we can switch to a type of story that we know helps to keep our writing moving forward.

For some writers, it could be that essays are easier to write than fiction. For others, it could be that poetry might be easier to write than essays.
Switching to a type of story that comes more naturally to us keeps the momentum going. It’s about not letting ourselves struggle to the point of suffering. In doing so, we can prevent ourselves from feeling stuck, frustrated or even from walking away from the writing desk altogether.

As far as I know, in the creative world, there isn’t a rule that says that when a written piece is giving you trouble, you must stick with it until the end. You can permit yourself to work on an easier one. The trick is to maintain the discipline to go back to the more challenging one when momentum is restored. If time permits, we can even set it aside for another day when inspiration is stronger.

Recognizing the stories that can be written more quickly and easily as opposed to the ones that require more attention is a tool that any writer can leverage to pace themselves and to better manage their energy throughout the writing session.

When we have the time and freedom to choose our writing tasks, by switching gears when we stall, we are still able to move forward in our quest toward our writing goals, just maybe not in the way we had initially planned.

Sincere thanks for reading
Have a great day,
André