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Is the Secret to Writing Well Learning to Fail? with Louie Centanni
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Learn tips and tricks that will make writer’s block a thing of the past!
Louie Centanni, MFA, is a lecturer at San Diego State University and has been teaching writing, rhetoric, and composition for over a decade. He is also an online writing consultant at the University of Arizona Global Campus Writing Center, and as a writer, he has published several short works and essays. When the global pandemics aren't killing everyone's social lives, he tours as a standup comedian.
- It's a lot easier to make bad writing good than to make no writing!
- Writer’s Block – Does not exist – it is just an excuse for the fact we are terrified our writing doesn’t sound good.
- Writing is like any other skill: Practice, fail, practice, fail. Do not be afraid to fail. Our society teaches that failure is the worst thing ever, and it's not.
- Failure is feedback. Don't take it personally; laugh at yourself.
Tips:
1. JUST DO IT! Start writing anything that's on your mind, even if it's bad; just get some words on the page.
2. Write first, edit later (pretend like your delete key does not exist).
3. Make an outline; have a plan.
4. Then, ask yourself, what do I need to do in each sentence?
5. Write what you think you need to write, then show it to someone for feedback; feedback is information that will help you get on track.
6. Do not take feedback personally – this is a common theme on many of the episodes and if getting feedback is tough for you, listen to episode #18: “How to Feel Good about Feedback with Dr. Kelly Stewart” https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/8063165
7. Beware of imposter syndrome (we spoke about this on episode #9 “The Dissertation Shift with Todd Fiore” https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/7242724
8. Do not try to sound smart, do not attempt to “dress up” your writing. The BEST writing is CLEAR writing.
9. Follow templates if you get stuck (see the resource below).
10. Turn off Facebook, your phone, email – ANYTHING that can distract you (remember those grey activities that Mark Woods talked about in episode #6: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/7136806
11. Resist cleaning your house (see #1)
Resources
Happy Doc Student Swag: https://www.bonfire.com/store/happy-doc-student-podcast-swag/
They Say/ I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Berkinstein: https://amzn.to/3uqog0g
Grammarly: https://grammarly.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=3&aff_id=66812&source=website
Support the show
Support this free content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/supporters/new
Get The Happy Doc Student Handbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578333732
Other resources at: http://Expandyourhappy.com
Want to make my day? Rate, review, subscribe & share with someone you love.
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By Heather Frederick, PhD
5
7777 ratings
Send us a text - your number will not show, so if you want a response include an email
Learn tips and tricks that will make writer’s block a thing of the past!
Louie Centanni, MFA, is a lecturer at San Diego State University and has been teaching writing, rhetoric, and composition for over a decade. He is also an online writing consultant at the University of Arizona Global Campus Writing Center, and as a writer, he has published several short works and essays. When the global pandemics aren't killing everyone's social lives, he tours as a standup comedian.
- It's a lot easier to make bad writing good than to make no writing!
- Writer’s Block – Does not exist – it is just an excuse for the fact we are terrified our writing doesn’t sound good.
- Writing is like any other skill: Practice, fail, practice, fail. Do not be afraid to fail. Our society teaches that failure is the worst thing ever, and it's not.
- Failure is feedback. Don't take it personally; laugh at yourself.
Tips:
1. JUST DO IT! Start writing anything that's on your mind, even if it's bad; just get some words on the page.
2. Write first, edit later (pretend like your delete key does not exist).
3. Make an outline; have a plan.
4. Then, ask yourself, what do I need to do in each sentence?
5. Write what you think you need to write, then show it to someone for feedback; feedback is information that will help you get on track.
6. Do not take feedback personally – this is a common theme on many of the episodes and if getting feedback is tough for you, listen to episode #18: “How to Feel Good about Feedback with Dr. Kelly Stewart” https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/8063165
7. Beware of imposter syndrome (we spoke about this on episode #9 “The Dissertation Shift with Todd Fiore” https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/7242724
8. Do not try to sound smart, do not attempt to “dress up” your writing. The BEST writing is CLEAR writing.
9. Follow templates if you get stuck (see the resource below).
10. Turn off Facebook, your phone, email – ANYTHING that can distract you (remember those grey activities that Mark Woods talked about in episode #6: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/7136806
11. Resist cleaning your house (see #1)
Resources
Happy Doc Student Swag: https://www.bonfire.com/store/happy-doc-student-podcast-swag/
They Say/ I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Berkinstein: https://amzn.to/3uqog0g
Grammarly: https://grammarly.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=3&aff_id=66812&source=website
Support the show
Support this free content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/supporters/new
Get The Happy Doc Student Handbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578333732
Other resources at: http://Expandyourhappy.com
Want to make my day? Rate, review, subscribe & share with someone you love.