The difference between writers and non-writers is that they take the time to write things down. I mean, duh. It feels pretty silly to say, but none the less it is true.
There are a lot of steps to the writing process, but the one that makes the difference between having a book and not is the actual act of writing. It’s a shame that it’s also the one that can feel most difficult to follow through on. I do a lot of different kinds of writing for my job, and it takes a lot of different motivations to get them all done. So if you’re struggling with finding time to put fingers to keyboards, here are some strategies that might be worth your consideration:
Put it On Your Calendar
This is likely the method you’re most familiar with – block off a particular set of time and have at it! There are a lot of benefits to this method: It makes writing a priority. It lets others know that you’re unavailable during this time. It comes with digital reminders to write. This is especially helpful if you’re writing in a corporate setting where you have some control over when you work on particular projects. But this method doesn’t fit into everyone’s lives cleanly, and that’s okay!
Set Modest Word Count Goals
If reaching a goal or having a to-do list motivates you, setting a word count goal may be the perfect way to reinforce your writing habit. What’s great about this writing technique is that it is totally customizable to how you already think about blocks of time. Do you like having deadlines that create pressure? A monthly or weekly word count is great for procrastinators. Or maybe you’re trying to make it a daily habit and having a daily word goal is best.
One thing I like to do for myself is set extremely reachable goals like 50 words a day or 1000 words a month. It’s easy to get started if you have a low barrier to entry, and I find that I write well past my goal most days once I am already started. But even on hard days when all I can get out is my bare minimum, I’ve still made progress that will help me on the next day I’m ready to write for hours.
Start Your Day Right
Is writing your number one goal right now? Knock it out as soon as you wake up in the morning. Then you can go through your whole day feeling great for taking that first step.
Hate mornings? Make it the last thing you do every night! You’ll sleep soundly knowing that you did something for yourself.
Try Word Sprints
The way most writers use writing sprints is by getting everything they need to write together in one place, set a timer, and write as quickly as you can for the set amount of time. This writing technique is especially useful for sections of text that feel perfunctory or that you’re lazy about completing. If it isn’t exciting, hammer it out.
Another benefit of word sprints is that you can do them as you find time. Every word sprint doesn’t have to be an hour long. Put on a timer for fifteen minutes between meetings or just before the kids get home from school. That’s fifteen minutes of writing time you didn’t have before!
Build a Ritual
If you’re wanting to make writing a habit, a great way to make the most of it is by building a series of small indulgences that you get to enjoy each time you write. For some, this can look like a special snack or a white noise machine to help them focus. For others, building a special place in their home specifically dedicated to writing is the optimal choice. No matter what helps you get in the zone, once you’ve done it consistently for a dozen writing sessions, it will help you keep writing as a regular part of your life.
Schedule in Breaks
Author Twitter seems to think that writing is all about the grind. And that is absolutely true—consistency in writing builds progress. But working hard without taking time to enjoy how far you’ve come will lead to burnout. Pick out times to take a break on the small scale like a few minutes each hour during longer sessions. But you should also plan to take time away from the page before you’re worn out to ward off writing fatigue. Did you finish a draft? A 30-day writing sprint? An act? Take a week off. Hell, take two! You deserve it.
Download Your Writing App
I love fitting in a few minutes of writing when I’m in a waiting room or on the train. It makes me feel like one of those efficiency gurus. But after leaving the corporate world, I grew weary of carrying my laptop everywhere. This is when I downloaded my favorite word processor to my smartphone. Now I can work truly anywhere when I feel like it, and it isn’t another app that’s constantly interrupting my life when I’m not in the mood.
Create a Reward System
Creating a reward system for myself was the only way I could study in college, and it’s still the only way I can motivate myself to work out regularly. Let yourself have an M&M every 100 words, or let yourself have one coffee with your favorite creamer every thousand. For me, I like to put the number of beads or origami stars for every writing session I want in a month and then take one out of the jar each time I sit down to write. Watching the jar slowly empty is so satisfying in the moment, and it lets me put off celebration until I’ve emptied the jar completely.
Give Yourself Some Grace
Look, you’re not perfect, and you’re not going to implement your writing plan perfectly every time you want to. Give yourself a break! Punishing yourself for making the wrong choice isn’t going to undo it, and shame will prevent you from writing more than schedule hiccups ever can. So treat yourself kindly and set up your next time to write generously.
Life changes, and you’re going to need to find many different ways to motivate your writing along the way. If you’re finding you can’t do it on your own, then consider a writing club or a book coach. They’re great accountability partners and have the capability to help you when you’re feeling stuck or have questions. Not all writing methods are right for everyone, but having a few tricks in your pocket can make all the difference.
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