by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Writing is frequently a really daunting task. So often we have the perfect story conceived in our heads but when it comes to putting it down on paper, it’s just not quite the same. That’s a big reason why it can be tough for writers to commit to working on their project every day.
It’s been said that 80% of success is just showing up. For writers, obviously, not showing up means not making progress on our books.
What exactly does showing up as a writer mean, though?
Set aside a dedicated time to write. I’m a big fan for setting the bar low, too. It’s more important for our self-confidence as a writer to have a series of “wins” every day than it is to rack up a big word count. But whatever your goal is…five minutes, ten minutes, etc…it’s most important that you follow through with it. Think about making it a goal you think you can easily achieve, even if it’s just once a week.
But also be flexible enough to grab time when you can. Sometimes we have an unexpected pocket of time. It’s really almost like a gift. Instead of scrolling through social media, consider bringing a small notebook with you or opening a document on your phone and brainstorming some ideas for your project.
If something comes up and writing is impossible that day, reschedule the writing session and show up to that one. Sometimes life does get in the way. But try to make your writing time something that you can make: let others know that you’re going to be working on your project. Try to protect your time. If the writing session falls through, never try to catch up…it’s just such a dispiriting process. Better to reschedule your session for another day or time and show up for that one.
Stay focused during the session. My favorite way to do this is with a timer, but yours might be to disconnect your laptop from the internet or to turn your phone off. Whatever it takes to ensure you can be totally focused on your story.
Have some sort of plan or idea what you’re going to write during the next session. I live by my outlines (I’m a reluctant outliner, but I do what works for me), but if you don’t like outlining, at least try to have a one-sentence mini-outline to indicate where you want to pick up for your next session so you won’t have to spend your writing time re-reading your story.
Set a goal for each session…either by time or by word count. This, again, really helps with focus. And, as I mentioned earlier, you don’t have to have a big goal because small ones work just as well.
Spend some time daydreaming or brainstorming ideas for your story. This is something else that’s good for those unexpected quiet moments…just letting your mind drift as you think about your characters and the story you’re creating.
What are ways that you show up as a writer?
Showing Up As a Writer Share on XPhoto credit: melusina parkin on VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA
These are really helpful ideas, Elizabeth. Being a writer really does take that sort of commitment – showing up. It requires discipline, but it also requires some flexibility and adaptability. That’s why I think it really helps to have a plan – just how will you schedule your writing so it works for you? I also think it’s best not to compare your writing plan with anyone else’s. We’re all different, and we all have to have a plan that works for us, if that makes sense.
Excellent point…different plans work for different people! Hope you have a great week, Margot!
Often just opening the document and staring at it helps. Can’t work on it closed!
That’s very true! I keep my document open all the time (no wonder my computer runs slowly sometimes, ha).
Thanks for these tips! It’s helpful to know I’m not alone as a writer who struggles to sit in my chair and focus. I have overcome most of my struggles by setting aside morning time and also using a timer. I use the Pomodora technique (4 sessions of 25-minutes focused time in a row, with 3-5 minute breaks, followed by a half hour break after the Pomodora.) I consider it a good writing day if I can do 2 full Pomodoras. Thanks for your newsletter! Very helpful and encouraging!
The timers are so helpful, aren’t they? You’re definitely not alone–I think most writers are easily distracted. Thanks for commenting!
Great tips, Elizabeth. Just sitting down to write a blog post can be difficult at times. Sitting down to write a book has to be very stressful at times.
Sometimes I think it’s easier to write something long than something short, so I totally get that, ha!
These are great. I have my Scrivener target set for 1000 per day when I’m drafting. I really hope for 2000 but I like setting that bar low as well. Editing days are sometimes more difficult to judge but I tend work in terms of how many scenes I want revise during that day or session
Editing can be frustrating in terms of tracking, can’t it? I like the way you tackle that.
You can’t write if you don’t show up in some capacity.
Exactly…we just have to carve out time for it.
Thank you for the article. Staying focused to finished is my worst problem. I will try a timer.
Teresa
I love my timer. :) I even do housework to it, ha.
I agree that you need to schedule time to write and catch those moments when you can write in really busy time. You can really accomplish a lot if you put your mind to it.
We just have to make the time (sometimes easier said than done!)
Two of the items you mentioned really work for me: easily achievable goals, which I write on my calendar and can cross off as done, and a set time for writing. For me, that’s afternoons.
I’ve gotten a little better about writing in afternoons, at least for getting extra words in. I used to really drag then, but I’m trying to at least make early afternoons work.