Writer’s Tool #8: The Weekend Card Trick
This is something I recently thought of, and have put into practice. At first I was very skeptical, but was shocked to see how well this is motivating me to write.
Some of you may remember the Dice Trick. This is very similar, but this requires a little more time and effort. If you’ve successfully managed to bring yourself into a writing routine but want to step up your game, this is a great way to do that.
Take any deck of cards. Set aside an entire weekend without responsibility, social interaction, or work. This may take some time to do, but I’ve managed to steal at least one weekend a month now, just to concentrate on my writing.
Once you have your weekend booked, find a loved one or a trusted friend and have them ‘deal’ you out 3 cards. I think you get the picture of where this is going. When you are dealt your cards, the number on the top corner is the number of pages you are required to write.
I ask you to get a loved one to deal them out for you, as they will do a good job at holding you accountable to see that you actually write them. If you get an “ACE” that counts as only one page. Jacks are 11, Queens are 12, and Kings are 13. Now, I’m not a heartless bastard, so if you get 3 Kings, my suggestion is to possibly add a rule that no 3 cards can be the same. If you want the challenge, then by all means, go for the gold! You could even vary it up, and use the symbols on each card to represent a certain scene or genre to write. Hearts could be romance or comedy. Spades could be labour or war orientated.
I find this an excellent challenge, and the point of all of this is to just get you writing. At the end of the day, make this your own. Draw one card a day if you wish. Just find the time to write.
