This is K.M. Wyland and you are listening to the 48th episode of the Helping Writers Become Authors

Podcast. I think one of the reasons I've always liked the outlining part of the

writing process best is that it's always been the part in which I put the least amount of

pressure on myself to produce. I don't worry about word count or anything like that

I just meander along thinking and taking note of my thoughts. But lately I feel I've gotten a little too

permissive with myself with that approach. So I've started a new technique or rather repurposed an old one.

When I'm actually writing a first draft, I will often push myself to write in 15 minute bursts.

I'll write as fast as I can for 15 minutes

before taking a break to look around, take a drink, or

skim over whatever I've written.

So I'm now trying something similar for my outlining.

Since I outline long hand rather than on the computer and since

this lengthy brainstorming exercise is just a slower process for me, what I'm trying

to do is make myself keep writing until I filled a whole page before looking up or getting to daydreamy.

I quote unquote discovered this this summer when I was writing at coffee shops. I found that because I was less likely to

stare into space or break into impassioned conversations with myself in public, that I wrote a lot faster and a lot more. So I'm trying

this when writing my outline in private as well. Give it a try. Maybe you'll find

it helpful as well. And now I hope you enjoy this week's podcast.

How to overcome fear as a writer

and embrace your profound courage.

Long ago, someone gave me a birthday card that said fearless.

For many years, I tacked it on my bulletin board above my desk, even now it's one of the few cards I've ever saved.

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