So by now, you’ve heard of Twitch.tv. If you haven’t, it’s a platform, predominantly for gamers of all stripes, where one can broadcast what they’re up to. Since I’m not a gamer, one would assume I couldn’t use it. However, I want to talk about building writing habits using Twitch. You can find me on Twitch at http://www.twitch.tv/noirladyluck.
Firstly, Twitch is another audience building tool. You can broadcast your writing sessions. I do. However, keep in mind, if you want to sell first publication rights, you probably shouldn’t do what I do. I’m working on a labor of love called “Dreamless” at the moment and I’m streaming directly from my desktop so people can watch me type. That means, anyone who watches the stream gets to read it in real time. Therefore, in all technicality, “Dreamless” will already be published when I go to find it a home. This doesn’t bother me, but if it bothers you, don’t show your desktop as you type. Turn the camera around and let it watch you.
Dean Wesley Smith, one of my favorite gurus, chooses to practice in public. Twitch is a way to practice your writing skills in public, by streaming. There has been some discussion of video being the wave of the future, so having a Twitch stream might very well work in your favor. Smith says this helps in building writing habits.
Building a writing habit with Twitch
Number One: Be Consistent. Twitch has a schedule feature. I don’t currently use it because my writing sessions move around during the day depending on what I’m doing. However, I have a 30 minute writing session at some point during the day. I know this will happen. Therefore, I stream my session every day.
Number Two: Pick a view. Sometimes I show my desktop and the typing. Other times, I show me. I don’t currently have the ability to show both myself and my typing because that requires a webcam. No webcam on my big computer, sorry. However, what I’ve noticed is I get more viewers when I show myself. If you’re trying to get views, pick your poison.
By doing those two things, you will be building a writing habit. You don’t have to do 30 minutes. I’m comfortable with 30 minutes, so I do. You could do five. Make that your gateway habit. Five minutes of writing on Twitch followed by watching someone play a game you like or checking out the other content on the platform.
Bonus: Speed Run! Need a lot of words done pretty quickly? Set up some time to do what is called a ‘Speed Run’ in gamer parlance or a ‘Sprint’ in writer speak. On Twitch, speed runs are seeing how fast one can complete a game. In writer circles, a sprint is seeing how many words you can do in a set amount of time.