Hello Lovely Readers,
Here’s a very for serious article I wrote for someone I don’t remember for a reason I can’t quite pin down that features good advice that I should take but can’t… because Alanis Morissette told me not to in that song about irony. Enjoy:
Do you spend more time procrastinating than you do writing?
Creative people are prone to distraction. Social media, blogs and e-mail zap a writer’s concentration. Chores and errands intrude upon free time and a day job often makes it difficult to maintain writing routine. Due to the precarious nature of the craft, writers have developed a variety of time management strategies. These techniques were developed by writers, for writers.
1. Timer Technique
Set a timer for 30 minutes. Write without stopping until the timer goes off. Do not check social media, look at the time, or stare into space. Turn off your internal editor. Type without going back to re-write a sentence or fix mistakes. After 30 minutes, take a five minute break. Use this break to go to the bathroom, drink coffee or respond to e-mail. You can repeat this process several times in one day, depending on the amount of work you need to finish. Most cell phones, MP3 players and computers have a built-in timer or alarm clock component. Free timer apps are available online and in the iTunes App Store. The timer on a digital watch will also work. Even if you complete one 30 minute session per day, you’ll make enormous headway in a week or month. For example, writing one page in each day’s session, adds up to 30 pages in a month. Those 30 pages are enough material for a short story or book chapter.
2. NaNoWriMo
National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo, is a free annual event. Every November, writers across the world attempt to finish a novel in 30 days. The program is structured to help you complete the first draft of a 50, 000 word manuscript. This breaks down to a daily1667 word quota. The quick pace is great for writers who constantly self-edit. Because of the time constraint, you won’t be able to micro-manage your writing, which means you’ll get more done. You can apply the principles of National Novel Writing Month to your own writing practice. Set a quota and intensify your focus for 30 days. Many respected authors, including Anne Lamont and Stephen King, advocate quick first drafts.
3. Morning Pages
The idea of morning pages comes from Julia Cameron’s book “The Artist’s Way.” She encourages the practice of completing three pages of non-work related writing every morning. These pages function as a brain clearing exercise. Write down whatever comes to mind. If you can’t think of anything just write, “I don’t know what to write” repeatedly until a thought comes to you. You’re morning pages might include to-do lists, worries or emotional outbursts. The idea is to get rid of all the random thoughts that get in the way of your creative process. This allows you to work at a quick, steady pace later in the day and helps you to focus on your writing instead of mundane issues.
4. Five Minute Commitment
Sitting down at the computer is the most difficult step of the writing process. Commit to writing for only five minutes. This technique eliminates the stress of having an entire novel looming over you. By making five minutes the goal, you can easily gain a sense of accomplishment and establish a routine. Beginning is a daily challenge but once writers get into their groove, they can write for hours. You may find that you commit to five minutes but end up writing for much longer.
5. Self Control Applications
If you’re constantly distracted by Twitter feeds and e-mail alerts, you need to enlist the help of an app. There are several free self-control applications available for download online. These applications are simple to use, allowing you to block access to any site that distracts you. Create a list of sites to block and set the timer for five minutes or the whole weekend.
6. Shut the Door
If you can shut out the world, you can focus on your writing. Make sure your writing space is equipped with a locking door. It doesn’t matter if you write at an expensive oak desk or in the bathroom, as long as you can shut the door and escape from everyday life. Your productivity will increase if you can avoid being interrupted by kids, pets or a ringing telephone. Stephen King wrote “Carrie” in the laundry room of a doublewide trailer because it was the one space where he could write uninterrupted.
Pretty good, right?
I’m not as dumb as I look… oh… right…
