My guiding principle, as far as possible, is WIBBOW, which stands for “Would I better off writing?”. You can read a succinct summary of it here: Business for breakfast V1: Ch 8 by Leah Cutter.
As I wrote in an article in 2021:
“It’s the same concept as the economists’ one of opportunity cost, but applied to writing. In a nutshell, while you’re busy updating your Facebook status, or trying to create a good cover design, would you not be better off doing what you’re really good at and which, ultimately, is going to earn the money, ie writing?”
But what if you’re not in the mood? What if you make a number of false starts? This is where a good warm-up exercise comes in. Many people choose to use a writing prompt. I realised today, however, that my warm-up exercise is to write an article. Which is a bit like saying: rather than do a few stretches before going for a run, I go for a run as a prelude to going on a run.
For example, this afternoon I couldn’t get into writing. Apart from various interruptions, nothing flowed. So I decided to update and tweak an article I’d published a few years ago. That was enough to kick-start my creativity. I did more than merely tweak the article: I embellished it with some of the finest prose I’ve come across. I’ve a good mind to ask myself for a signed copy.
Hence this article, because I thought that other writers might also find the idea of writing an article to get them in the mood for writing an article quite attractive. Unlike using a prompt, it doesn’t feel quite so much like time wasted.
You might like to try it yourself.
I’ve started a new blog/newsletter. It’s a space where I can write about being a head of department in a secondary (high) school, plus the stuff that I find interesting, things that have meant something to me, articles I come across, education, word play -- even fiction. I’m sure more sections will be added in the days and weeks to come! Please do have a look: Eclecticism.