Solutions Focussed Writing

 

Sometimes the fulltime job feels like it gets in the way of my writing, sapping energy and time. But some days it can be a source of inspiration or transferable skills.

When I first moved into palliative care, I found a lot of anxious patients. I thought my previous experience in mental health would be useful but quickly realised that teaching relaxation skills over a course of weeks didn’t work. We didn’t have that kind of time. They needed something that could be applied quickly and easily. Solutions Focussed Therapy proved to be an answer.

I there are principles from it that can be useful to writers too.

SFT is an approach that assumes people are problem solvers. It focusses on when things are going right rather than wrong. And it has a great framework for dealing with different responses to following through on set tasks.

Let’s imagine you’re stuck on something, maybe how to move a plot forward. Here’s some questions to ask yourself:

1.       Have you been in a similar position before and how did you solve that? What worked, made it better?

Did you take a break? Did you try some creative exercises? Did you follow a particular plot structure to limit your options and help you make decisions?

2.       Are there times now or in the past when you are less stuck, when writing is going well? What’s different about those times?

Have you had better sleep? Did you have deadlines to meet? Were you encouraged by friends? Are there specific places or times of day when writing is/has been easier?

3.       Once you’ve identified some answers to 1. and 2. how can you do more of these?

Have some time off? Do something else creative or playful? (Try Wendy Jones’s Motivation Matters). Contact your local ACW writers’ group? Plot your favourite TV show or a music video.

4.       When others have made suggestions or you’ve set yourself a task, how did that work out?

·       If you just got on with it, set yourself more tasks. Remember to make them: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time Limited.

·       If you adapted the task, give yourself flexibility in what you set out to achieve. Give yourself options.

·       If you didn’t do the task at all, read up or talk to others about how they have solved similar issues. Take time to mull over their answers.

This last point can be another encouragement for us as writers.

Some of us have been gifted to write factual articles and books. Others are interviewers, biographers. Others are lyricists. Some are Paul, pouring our hearts out, encouraging, and explaining the reasoning behind the faith we teach. Some are James, giving straightforward directions. Some are David, putting our words into poetry and song. Some are Luke, telling stories so others can draw their own conclusions.

Our unique styles fit the unique response of different readers.

But whichever type of writer we are, whichever genre, God uses us to tell His story. And He will not leave us stuck but will give the resources to complete what He has tasked us to do.

Liz Manning fits writing around being an Occupational Therapist, BB captain, wife, and mum to two adults. Or perhaps it's the other way round. She blogs regularly at https://thestufflifeismadeofblog.wordpress.com/, has two WIPs and more ideas in the pipeline