Here at Choice Literacy, we’ve got habits on our mind.
Ever since we read The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg at a writing retreat, we’ve been thinking about how to change, reinvent, or harness our writing habits in order to be more productive or efficient.
Imagine my surprise when this Brain Pickings article entitled “The Odd Habits and Curious Customs of Famous Writers” arrived in my email inbox. I read with fascination about the practical and superstitious writing habits of famous authors: purple ink, standing desks, rotting apples, scraps or scrolls of paper . . . .suddenly my own habits seemed mundane and unremarkable.
In the same week that I read the Brain Pickings article, our guidance counselor did an ice-breaker lesson with my students called “Two Truths and a Lie,” in which each person introduced themselves with three facts, and the rest of the group had to determine which two were true and which one wasn’t.
To play the game well, you have to come up with truths that seem a bit odd, and lies that seem plausible.
That’s how the idea for this article was born. I invited my fellow Choice Literacy writers to play “Truths and Lies, Writing Habits Edition.” Some writers responded with two truths and a lie, others with two lies and a truth. Here is what they had to say about their writing habits. Can you pick out each writer’s truth(s)? The answer key is at the end of the article. This is a fun activity for the start of the year with colleagues in a study group or staff meeting — just gather the truths and lies before the session begins, and then have everyone make their guesses before you provide the answer key. What might follow is a lively discussion of writing habits for people of all ages.
Maria Caplin blogs Teaching in the 21st Century and her Twitter handle is @MariaCaplin:
Two truths and a lie:
1. I always enjoy writing outside on my porch with a tall glass of____ . . . well, it depends on the time of day.
2. Sneaking away to Starbucks is my favorite place to write.
3. Oh how I wish early mornings always worked out for writing everyday because it is my favorite.
Julie Johnson blogs at Raising Readers and Writers. Her Twitter handle is @jreaderwriter
Two lies and a truth:
I have several writing habits that keep me going.
1. I always grab a glass of iced tea in my recycled McDonald’s cup and something crunchy to munch on (preferably peanut M&Ms or pretzels).
2. I find it easier to get the ideas flowing if I take a quick shower before I start to write too.
3. It also helps if I take a break every hour or so by doing some yoga poses. The physical break is much needed and helps me get back on track when I return to my writing project.
Donalyn Miller blogs at the Nerdy Book Club. Her Twitter handle is @donalynbooks
Two lies and a truth:
1. I write at least 500 words every day.
2. I can write anywhere–including airplanes and hotel rooms.
3. My most productive writing time is between 3 and 5 a.m.
Brenda Power is the founder of Choice Literacy.
Two truths and a lie:
1. My favorite time to write is early evening.
2. I usually stop writing in the middle of a sentence so I can pick up where I left off the next day.
3. I do 95% of my writing while sitting on the couch in my living room.
Mandy Robek blogs at Enjoy and Embrace Learning. Her Twitter handle is @mandyrobek
Two truths and two lies:
1. I talk and record my pre-thinking and listen to it playback as I write.
2. My writing tool preference is my keyboard and/or a sharp pencil.
3. My Choice Literacy writing requires quiet.
Jen Schwanke blogs at Going Big. Her Twitter handle is @JenSchwanke:
Two lies and a truth:
1. I do my best writing, and I am my most productive, when I settle with my laptop late at night when my family is asleep. There are no distractions and the words pour out!
2. Before calling a piece complete, I make myself wait 48 hours and then read it over one last time. It’s astounding how many tweaks, cuts, and additions I make after “walking away” from a piece for a couple days.
3. I make my husband read each word I write before I submit it or post it on my blog. He’s a master at catching errors, and he has great insight and suggestions that make my writing better.
Katherine Sokolowski blogs at Read Write Reflect. Her Twitter handle is @katsok
Two truths and a lie:
1. When I write I need to be where I can look out a window. At my house this spot is in the kitchen by the windows to the backyard with my laptop on my lap, feet up.
2. When I write I need there to be relative silence – music distracts me and makes me lose focus.
3. When I write I need a good one to two hour chunk at least to devote to writing.
Karen Szymusiak blogs at Talkworthy. Her Twitter handle is: @karenszymusiak
Two lies and a truth:
1. I must have my favorite slippers on!
2. I prefer pencil and paper to the computer.
3. There’s a voice inside that haunts me when I’m writing.
Karen Terlecky blogs at Literate Lives (with Bill Prosser). Her Twitter handle is @KarenTerlecky
Two lies and a truth:
When it comes to writing, there are several habits that help get me focused on the piece of the day. 1. I like to come downstairs early in the morning, boil some water, and make myself a nice cup of hot tea. That warm beverage brings focus to my brain so I am able to plan and organize my writing well.
2. It is important for me to be wearing my robe at those early hours; the robe and the quiet of the house really allow time for me to settle into the writing.
3. I have a special photo of my family that sits beside me as I write. This photo keeps me focused on what really matters as I write.
Stella Villalba blogs at My World-Mi Mundo. Her Twitter handle is @stellavillalba
Two lies and a truth:
1. While I write, I keep a new word document open to type other possible ideas that may come to me as I write my current article. It’s amazing to see how many other seeds sprout while I’m concentrating on a topic.
2. I ride my bicycle to get writing ideas. My mind shifts on what events happened that day. Other times, I just relive my day all over again and that’s when I realize the different possibilities.
3. There’s always food involved when I write. I’m a foodie and a proud one so it’s stimulating to visually see something delicious. Somehow, someway, it keeps my creative juices flowing.
Mary Lee Hahn blogs A Year of Reading (with Franki Sibberson). Her Twitter handle is @MaryLeeHahn
Two truths and a lie:
1. With every piece of writing, I spend more than half of my time working on its structure, organization, or flow, and less than half of the time just getting the words on paper.
2. Deadlines kill my creativity – hey, they don’t call it a DEADline for nothing! I am way more productive and I just plain write better when there is no deadline for my work.
3. I get most of my best ideas on my early morning walks, or in the shower, or while I’m driving. Never when I have paper and pencil at hand! When I can, I record a voice memo on my phone to capture the idea before it’s lost.
Answers – Our TRUE writing habits:
Maria – 1 & 3
Julie – 1
Donalyn – 3
Brenda –2 & 3
Mandy – 2
Jen –2
Katherine – 1 & 2
Karen S. – 3
Karen T. – 2
Stella – 2
Mary Lee –1 & 3
