How To Improve Your Writing Skills

It was New Year’s Eve and about ten of us had decided we the best way to ring in the new year would be camping.

We’d found a spot not far outside of Austin through Hipcamp, kind of like Airbnb but for camping. (Definitely check it out, great for finding last-minute spots or hidden gems).

Our campsite even had a hot tub!

We were sitting around the fire talking about resolutions and commitments for the new year.

Somehow the topic of Morning Pages came up, probably because my friend Sophie and sister Emma have been doing them for a long time.

“You should do 30 days straight of Morning Pages.” - Sophie

And about four days later I started, daily, except for weekends. I kind of fell off my consistency, but then recently I committed to doing them daily and they’ve been a game-changer.

Morning Pages are from a book called “The Artist’s Way”

The bedrock tool of a creative recovery is a daily practice called Morning Pages.

Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing,
done first thing in the morning.

*There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages*– they are not high art. They are not even “writing.”

They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes
only.

Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and
synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put
three pages of anything on the page...and then do three more pages tomorrow.

For me, it’s kind of like journaling because I recap or forecast my days, share my thoughts and work through ideas.

It’s a non-judgemental free flow of expression and creativity.

Just pen, paper and thoughts pouring out.

And what happens inevitably is you find your voice, your flow, your vision, your ideas streaming out onto the paper.

There’s something about the old school pen and paper, empty pages, solo experience that creates momentum and energy and idea-solving space.

Sometimes I’m not feeling great, confused, uncertain or frustrated… and then by the third page I’ve seemingly solved all my problems. By page three is also usually where I finish my first cup of coffee so maybe that helps.

Trying to work through some personal life questions? Try Morning Pages.

Want to get better at writing? Morning Pages.

Need to energize your creativity? Morning Pages.

Solving business problems? Morning Pages.

Try it, I’d love to hear how it goes for you.