How I Write
by Tanner Olson
writtentospeak.com

Question 1:
Hi Tanner!
Do you have a favorite notebook, writing tool, or program to use when working on new poems?

Question 2:
Hi Tanner!
Like you I am a writer. Just wondering what you use to write?

To send in an anonymous question/writing prompt, click here.

Hello fellow writers,
I am writing this using Google Docs.  

I believe F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby using Google Docs.
Years ago I wanted to write the next great American novel, something high school classes would be required to read.
Every student in America would have to read Tanner Olson’s novel, The Hope of Another New Day.
Doesn’t that sound like the title of a great American novel?
For years I wanted to be the reason why students had homework, but these days I am content writing short poems and reflections and wonderings.

My office is full of 5x7 cardstock that I buy on Amazon every few months.
It’s $14.99 for 200 pieces.
Sometimes it’s $16.99. 
Once it was $12.99 and I bought 400 pieces that day.
This is what I use to make daily Instagram posts.
I have Fine Point Sharpies and Sharpie pens scattered around my office.
Maybe one day they will sponsor me and I won’t have to buy them.
I can’t remember the last time I used a pencil.

I wish I could tell you that I write in a notebook, but I rarely do.

I mostly write on my computer.
My keyboard is greasy and my screen has smudges.
Right now I have 22 different tabs open.
17 of them are writing projects.
Many of them are various poems and collections.
Two of them are chapters for a book I am working on.
Another couple are short stories.
One document is untitled containing four words: Get off your butt.

Maybe that’s the start of my great American novel.

Last month I designed my own notepads.
On the top of the white papered notepad it says: LIFE IS NOT A RACE AND YOU ARE NOT BEHIND.
That’s a reminder I need to hear most days.
I ordered 50 of them.
They arrived two weeks later.
I opened the box only to realize that each notepad was stained and smeared with black ink.
I called the company and they sent me 50 more.
I now have 100 notepads that say LIFE IS NOT A RACE AND YOU ARE NOT BEHIND.
But since each notepad is 50 pages long I now have 5,000 pieces of paper that say LIFE IS NOT A RACE AND YOU ARE NOT BEHIND.

That’s math.

Something I have always been terrible at.

I am glad I am not good at math.

If I was good at math I probably wouldn’t be a writer.

I would spend my days adding and subtracting and dividing and multiplying and whatever else people who are good at math do.

I’d probably love spreadsheets.

But I don’t love spreadsheets.

I love writing.

As a writer I get to think and overthink and type and delete and guess where commas go and drink endless cups of coffee.

I love it.

Writing gives me life.

It brings me joy.

It draws me closer to God.

There is no secret writing tool or program that will help you become a better writer.
Ads on Instagram will tell you that there are, but they are lying to you.

The internet is great, but it sure does tell a lot of lies.

The only thing that will make you a better writer is to write consistently.
Put the pen to the paper or open up a Google Doc and start typing away.
Take what is inside your heart and soul and mind and put it down on a piece of paper. 
Let yourself get frustrated and celebrate the small steps and just keep writing.
Stop comparing yourself to other writers and just keep writing.
Learn from other writers and just keep writing.
Find what works for you and just keep writing.
Ask for help and ask for it again and one more time if you need to.
Show up and be brave and curious and confident and humble and yourself.

And maybe get yourself a notepad that says LIFE IS NOT A RACE AND YOU ARE NOT BEHIND.

That will certainly help.

With hope,

Tanner Olson
@writtentospeak

About the Author

Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster living in Nashville, Tennessee.

He is the author of I’m All Over the Place, As You Go, Walk A Little Slower, and Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.

You can find Tanner Olson’s books on Amazon.

His podcast is The Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.

Tanner Olson travels around the country sharing poetry, telling stories, and delivering messages of hope.

You can follow Tanner Olson on Instagram (@writtentospeak) and Facebook where you’ll daily find encouraging words of faith and hope.