Troubleshooting Your Writing: Tips from the IT Help Desk

IT Support: “This is Catherine from the WriteLight Group, how may I help you?”
As it turns out, troubleshooting a computer and troubleshooting your writing often follow the same steps! If you’re experiencing the writer-equivalent of the dreaded blue screen, try these writing tips straight from the IT help desk:

Turn it off and back on again.

Buffering happens to both writers and computers. Taking a break and restarting can give you fresh perspective, help you rework your piece into its best version, and keep burnout at bay. When you get back to your desk, you’ll be ready to prepare a submission package that gets accepted!

Unplug your router.

Social media scrolling is a dangerous trap for easily distracted writers. The best writing environment is quiet, focused, and free of Instagram rabbit holes, witty tweet drafts, and Facebook catch-ups. Unplug, unwind, and write! (Bonus: your router will appreciate the downtime to run its updates.)

Your memory has limited disk space—don’t overload it.

Like your computer, your brain can only handle so much information at once. No matter how much you’ve been thinking about that chapter, story, or poem, details can vanish if you don’t jot them down. Keep a notebook or outline handy to capture your ideas and keep your thoughts organized.

Recharge often.

Just as you shouldn’t let your laptop or phone battery drop below 25%, you shouldn’t let yourself run on empty either. Writing can be intense and time-consuming—stay hydrated, grab a snack, and rest when needed. (And please, do your tech a favor and keep food and drinks away from your devices!)

Delete what you don’t need.

Clearing unused files, apps, and software boosts your computer’s speed—editing works the same way for your writing. Cut awkward dialogue, overly long exposition, or anything that doesn’t serve your piece. The result? Cleaner prose and sharper poetry.

Don’t let the dust settle.

A can of compressed air keeps your keyboard fresh; writing exercises keep your skills sharp. Many writers fall into the trap of repeating the same styles and stories—or not writing at all for long stretches. Shake things up with prompts and exercises to keep your work fresh and engaging.

More Writing Tips from the IT Help Desk

• “Press any key” is a great way to start your computer—probably not your novel.
• Writing evil characters doesn’t count as file corruption.
• If your version of Microsoft Word still has Clippy, it’s time to upgrade.
• Writer’s block is like computer lag: annoying, but temporary.
• Your passwords and your writing should both include capital letters and punctuation.
• When you’re on fire creatively, keep going—just make sure your computer doesn’t overheat.
• Your local help desk is great for tech support, not so much for writing advice. Join a writing group instead.

Keep your brain plugged in, prevent lag, and follow these tips from the WriteLight Group help desk—you’ll be downloading success in no time.