by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I’m pretty disciplined with my morning writing session. I get up, get ready, let the dog out, then settle down to write with a cup of tea. I reach my goal for the day before I get up from my chair.
The problem sometimes is any additional writing sessions during the day. The reason I protect my early-morning writing time so much is because there are so many different ways a day can get derailed during its course. You know what I mean: everything from family crises to mundane things like errands that need to be run or cleaning and cooking to complete.
I’ve found that what works for me is telling myself to get started with a writing session before I’m really ready to do so. To jump right in.
There I’ll be, trying to figure out when I can squeeze in more writing time. I’ll look at my to-do list and start thinking that 3 p.m. looks good. Apparently, my muse is an imp because she’ll say, “How about right now, instead? This minute? Only a short one.”
As I’ve mentioned before, if I bring out my loyal timer, I’ll do it. I can convince myself to do anything if it’s just in 5 or 10 minute increments. I’ll usually blow right through the timer and go an extra five or more minutes.
By jumping in before I’m ready, I think it’s a way of decreasing my own expectations on my performance. I’m lowering the bar for myself. Giving myself a little grace. And I’m always relieved that I squeezed in the time.
How about you? Do you throw yourself into your writing when you’re not ready? How do you motive yourself to write (or to do anything that requires effort?)
Writing Sessions: Jump Right In Share on X
I'm good at procrastinating so just doing it is always the best approach. To anything really.
It helps me out, too. There’s always something I’m not wanting to face. Holding my nose and diving in works for me. :)
I agree with you that jumping right in and sitting down to write helps. Because I have a part-time job as a writer, I do that in the morning and write for an hour when I have lunch in the afternoon. I've been getting quite a bit done on this schedule.
I’ve always found that flexibility is so key for getting writing done!
Sometimes you do have to jump right in, Elizabeth, don't you. I sometimes find I have really successful writing sessions when I do that. I encourage myself by leaving my WIP open on my computer, so it's there reminding to jump in.
Great idea, Margot!
Hi Elizabeth – the brain has lots to write about – I just need to get to it … so I mentally jump right in – then the wheels come off … but I so admire your discipline! Excellent post – should inspire many of us to get on with things (I hope!!) – cheers Hilary
Thanks, Hilary! It helps with all sorts of things, I think.
I always have such a list of tasks to do for DLP, if I don't just jump in, I'd never do any of it.
A publishing company would make for a lot of jumping in!
Love this! I learned from you years ago that my writing style (of writing in short chunks of 5-15 minutes) didn't stop me from being a real writer (despite what some other people said). In my world, if they breathe, they come before my writing time, but I'm really good at finding those small chunks of time and diving right in!
The small chunks is often where the magic happens! So glad it works for you, too!