Accidental Genius, 2nd Edition

Chapter 3Secret #3:Work Againsta Limit

Let’s apply some of the information you’ve learned so far. Set your kitchen timer to ring in ten minutes and …

What’s that? I haven’t yet explained a kitchen timer as a writing aid? Shame on me. Once you start using a timer to help you generate thoughts, you’ll never be without one. Your kitchen timer, in fact, will become the most important item on your desk, with your computer running a close second.

Here, then, is why you need the timer: It gives you a time limit against which to conduct your thinking. That’s critical, for two reasons:

1. The limit energizes your writing effort by giving you parameters.

Think of it: If I ask you to write fast and continuously about some emotionally charged difficulty ...