by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Today I thought I’d share just a few things that help me make my writing life just a little easier. Maybe some of them will work for you, too. Remember, the key to a productive writing life is finding what works best for you. Consider experimenting with these tips and adapting them to fit your unique style and circumstances.
Put your writing on your planner. And . . . bonus tip. . . have a planner. If you’re juggling writing along with parenting, caregiving, jobs, chores, and errands, you need something to keep you organized. You don’t have to have anything expensive. Use Google’s or Outlook’s calendar or, if you like paper like I do, try a free calendar from Calendarpedia. I just print a weekly calendar, print it on my printer, then use a 3-hole punch and a 3-ring binder.
Write straight through. This will work well for some writers, although some might be horrified by the idea. I write straight through my first draft without pausing to put in chapter breaks. If I’m not sure what I want to name a character, I put in a placeholder name. If I need to research something, I put in asterisks so I know where to come back and add factual info. Use a distinctive placeholder format (e.g., [CHARACTER_NAME] or ###RESEARCH_NEEDED###) to make them easy to find later.
If there’s something you’re weaker at, do it in a batch and add it later. For me, it’s description. So I’ll write my first draft then I’ll describe everything I need to describe in one go: characters, the setting, a feeling, whatever. When I work in batches like this, it unlocks something in my brain, making it easier for me to do it. Maybe it’s because I’m in the flow. Then I layer it into the draft.
Take breaks. Organize your breaks. Try the Pomodoro Technique – work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer 15-30 minute break. Sadly, I’m one of those people who likes optimizing everything, even my free time. But I find I can actually relax easier and more completely if I have something really absorbing to occupy my time. I keep up with a watchlist on various streaming companies and have a to-be-read list on my private Goodreads account.
Have a dedicated workspace. I touched on this recently. It really helps me get into the writing mindset when I sit down in a spot that’s for work. This doesn’t have to be a home office . . . for me, it’s just a chair in my sunroom. Make sure you have an ergonomic setup to prevent any future issues.
What are some of your tips for the writing life?
Image by Rahul Pandit from Pixabay
I write like you do! No chapter breaks, some characters unnamed. I can figure that stuff out when I'm done.
It’s a great way to just move through the manuscript quickly!
These are all great ideas, Elizabeth! You make a good point that first drafts are not the time to be particular about chapter titles or things you'll need to fix later. I especially like your idea about planning both your writing time and writing space. Along with everything else, they help a person to remember "I'm a writer," and give writing the time and energy it needs.
Claiming the title of “writer” can be a tough thing, but reserving time and space helps make it clear to others that it’s important. :)
Thanks for the great tips. I'm not great at writing descriptions and sometimes skip over it to keep writing.
It’s a great way to handle it!