13 Unconventional Writing Tips from Cathy Rentzenbrink That Will Transform Your Writing
What I learned from her book, “Write it All Down.”
You don’t know Cathy Rentzenbrink? Well, you should. Her book “Write It All Down” was a revelation for me, as it deeply interconnects life and writing.
In the realm of writing, advice abounds, yet it’s the rare gems of wisdom that truly resonate and lead to transformation in our work and mindset. Cathy Rentzenbrink, in her underrated masterpiece on memoir writing, offers insights that transcend genre boundaries, presenting strategies that are not only thought-provoking but deeply practical.
Here, I distill her sage advice into an actionable guide for writers seeking to break free from conventional constraints and discover the joy and depth in their craft.
1. The Crucial Role of Boredom
“Boredom is crucial,” Rentzenbrink asserts, reminding us that in the quiet of inactivity, our most creative ideas bubble to the surface. In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with stimuli, allowing ourselves to be bored is akin to setting our creativity free.
Embrace boredom; embrace doing nothing but waiting in line until it’s your turn. It’s in those moments that your mind is truly free to explore the depths of your imagination.
2. The Power of Taking Time Off
“I take the weekends off.” — Cathy Rentzenbrink
Rentzenbrink’s approach to take weekends off from writing is a testament to the importance of rest in the creative process. I myself do not take every weekend off, but Friday afternoon. By stepping away, we not only recharge but also give our subconscious space to work through complex ideas.
Tip: Make peace with taking breaks; they’re not a sign of laziness but a crucial part of your creative process.
3. The Exhaustion of Not Writing
“Not writing is probably the most exhausting profession I’ve ever encountered,” she notes, capturing the paradoxical drain of avoidance.
This highlights the often-overlooked energy expended when we resist our urge to write, to which I can highly relate. Writing is hard, but not writing can be even harder.
Action: Start with small, daily writing goals to overcome this inertia. The act of writing, no matter how minimal, is less draining than the weight of avoidance.
4. Conquering Fear
“Fear is the number-one thing that stops us from finding our voice.”
The fear of inadequacy, of not being good enough, haunts many writers, myself included. Eating cherry pie helps sometimes, but not in the long run.
Strategy: Confront your fears head-on by writing them down. Acknowledge them, then use your words to dismantle their power.
5. The Importance of Solitude
“Go out with no phone or book and only enough money for a coffee, and just walk around.”
This tip underscores the value of solitude and disconnection in an always-on world.
Practice: Seek moments of solitude to connect deeply with your thoughts and let creativity flourish.
6. Detaching from Outcomes
“We should not make our writing or the success of it a condition of our happiness.”
This advice reminds us to find joy in the process of writing itself, rather than being overly fixated on the outcome. Although I would appreciate your claps for this article, I may survive without them, I guess.
Mindset Shift: Write for the love of writing, not for the accolades or approval it might bring.
7. Embracing Fear in Writing
Writing can be a cathartic process, a means to face and transform our fears.
“It may seem counter-intuitive, but it is better to download the fear onto the page rather than bottle it up.”
Technique: Let your fears flow onto the page. They could be the source of your most powerful work. I sometimes prompt myself for writing with: “My biggest fear is…”
8. Thinking in Blocks
“So I stopped thinking in terms of a whole book and instead only allow myself to think in blocks of two hours.”
This approach can alleviate the overwhelm of large projects.
Application: Break your writing into manageable segments. Focus on what you can achieve now, not the daunting entirety of your project.
9. Limiting Internet Access
“The single most important thing for me is to carve out time in which I deny myself access to the internet, especially social media.”
In the digital age, the internet is a source of information and a time-sucker alike. I am guilty of not always following this advice.
Action Plan: Designate writing times where you go offline, allowing yourself to dive deep into your work without distractions.
10. Visualize Writing
“As I go to sleep, I imagine myself the next morning looking eager and well as I make a coffee and settle down at my desk with my writing mug.”
I love this one.
Visualization not only motivates but also primes you for a productive writing session.
Visualization: Before bed, envision your ideal writing routine. This mental imagery can set the tone for a successful day ahead.
11. Writing as Exploration
“Writing is a way to explore the truth of our lives, to excavate the hidden parts of ourselves and make them visible to the world.”
Writing, then, becomes a tool for self-discovery and sharing universal truths.
Exploration: Use your writing as a means to dig deeper into your experiences, bringing to light the truths that lie beneath the surface, even if you don’t aim to write a memoir.
12. The ‘Death of the Reader’ Technique
This one is perfect for first drafts:
“Imagine everyone is dead for 90% of the writing process”
Rentzenbrink suggests this, to reduce anxiety and increase productivity. This technique allows writers to focus solely on their ideas without fear of judgment.
Technique: Write as if no one will read your work, allowing yourself the freedom to express your thoughts and ideas unfiltered.
13. Authenticity Over Cleverness
In a world that often values complexity over clarity, being authentic is revolutionary.
“For whatever it’s worth: don’t try to be clever. Just be you.”
Advice: Let your true self shine through your writing. Authenticity resonates more deeply with readers than any attempt to dazzle with complexity. Therefore I guess one should no “your true self”. But that’s maybe a exploration for another post.
Cathy Rentzenbrink’s advice offers a refreshing perspective on the writing process, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, self-care, and facing one’s fears. By integrating these principles into your writing practice, you can unlock new levels of creativity and connection with your work.
The journey of writing is as much about self-discovery as it is about storytelling. Consider these unconventional tips, and watch as your writing may transform not just on the page but in the depth of your experiences as a writer.
Have these tips resonated with you? Did you go out without a phone and only enough money for a coffee? Have you lately read her book? I would like to hear if something resonated with you.
Leave some claps and inspire each other.
And read that book. :)
Have a good one! ⚡️
