In order to be successful at both traditional media and online media you need to write. Everything from 140 characters in the case of Twitter to 600-800 words for traditional print or even Blogs. Even our forums require writing - albeit very short and direct answers.
The great thing about writing is that you can do it part time or full time and need very little resources to get started. But you do need to get started. Writing every day will help you do that, it helps build stamina and enforces a rhythm in your writing.
Try this - when sitting down for the first time of the day do a word dump. Open up a new document and force yourself to start writing, even if it's "I'm really not in the mood to be writing right now, I would much rather be fishing........"
Just write it, it doesn't even have to make much sense. Fill up about 500 words minimum. Don't try to write, just the words flow, make mistakes, ignore grammar and spelling rules. What you will find is that this exercises the part of the brain which does the writing, and at the end of limbering up you should be more in the mood to write.
Plus, you will have blown off any excess thoughts by putting them into words and uncluttering them from your mind, leaving your brain free to be filled with the important stuff.
You may also find that this free association method of writing produces some interesting writing which you can use later. Lob that off into another document, save the document, knowing that the next day you start to write you will crank out another.
I need a routine, as my mind can wonder as easily. Make a specific period of time for writing only, and by writing I don't mean twitter, something of some substance for your web site, or your blog.
Develop a routine, the brain has its own internal clock and will know when it is time to start writing and prepare. The brain is an amazing thing and the subconscious can do a lot of the heavy lifting if we allow it.
If you are new to being a writer explore the best time for you to write. For some people it can be afternoons or late at night. For me it's definitely morning while the caffeine is still a good blood levels. The afternoon for me is a writer's dead zone; I pick up again after 7 and can write till late.
When you have a routine you find you can make time for it and hopefully emergencies don't interrupt too much. And just a quick word, turn the IM, the twitter client, and the email off. They are not needed for the goal of writing.
I'm amazed at how many ideas I get when doing something else, and sometimes they happen on the rare occasion when I don't have my notebook and pen with me. Always carry a notebook and when you have a thought, write it down, and don't trust your memory.
Walking is a great aid to the thought process of writing, but it can be so hard to unshackle yourself from the computer and the Internet and let your mind wonder. Discipline is required and to be a writer you must have it.
Think about the articles you are writing and different ways you can approach the same subject - especially one that has been done and done. Think about future articles and problems you can solve. Most articles are about solving a problem, as you go about your daily business keep your eye out for problems and instead of having a moan about them think about how you would approach it in an article.
For example, you could have a problem with consistently difficult client or case. Think of that as an opportunity to write (express and "vent") on that subject in your writing/blog. You may not ever use it, but it helps exercise you writing muscles and neural pathways, plus one day someone may ask you to write such an article and wouldn't it be great to simply reach into your file and say, "Already done".
Get into the writing habit - yes, even with our very busy lives - and you will find it is easy and very productive.
