by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
This is a quick writing tip that I learned from all my time doing writing sprints with other sprinters on YouTube and Twitch. If you’re not familiar with sprints, a writer hosts them online and writers join in to get some work done. I talk a little bit more about it in this post.
Often, at the beginning of the sprints, the host will ask everyone what they’re going to be working on in the next hour or however long the stream is. I’ve found that clarifying what my plans are has becoming incredibly useful for me.
Some days it might be “10 minutes on my current draft and 20 on my outline.” Other days it might be “15 minutes editing and 10 minutes brainstorming.” Sometimes blogging gets added to the mix, or uploading files for a pre-order or a translation.
Just the mere process of evaluating what my priorities are with my writing that day is incredibly useful and makes for a very productive writing session.
This works just as well on my own as it does when I’m writing with a group online. It’s the process of clarification…really just a minute or two to figure out what’s pressing…that keeps me focused.
That’s my tip for this week. :) How about you? Have you made any discoveries while writing lately? Any tips to share?
Increasing Productivity by Clarifying Your Daily Goals: Share on XPhoto credit: leyrlo☂ on VisualHunt.com
That’s a smart idea. Otherwise you’d either be all over the map or get nothing done.
It really can help to get stuff done. :)
I love that ‘writing sprint’ tip, Elizabeth! It really helps to focus, and that makes us more productive. Thanks for sharing. My tip – or at least, something that works for me – is to just focus on ‘what comes next.’ Instead of seeing a book as the whole, daunting task it is, it’s helpful (at least to me) to ask, ‘OK, what am I doing right now?’ It might be one scene, or a session of editing, or…. but I try to focus on one task at a time.
An excellent idea, and sounds like it would work well for even non-writing projects!
I think mixing up what you’re writing is a great tip. I’m moving between drafting and revising right now.
Sounds like a great approach, Natalie!
I do that for everything else I have to do. Like today – and it’s a big list.
Sounds like you’ve got a big Monday! Good luck with your to-dos. :)
Hi Elizabeth – I think I must build this into my day to day life … I need to be more methodical … I get things done – but eclectically … now thankfully the days are getting lighter which brightens everyone’s mood … so thank you for these thoughts and ideas here – they will be helpful to me. Today I’ll draft up a post for Thursday and I’ve some learning to do re the Mac – and will have a long walk across to drop a birthday card off. Oddly I’m at a Memoir/Writing Your Life Story class on Thursday and we do a 10 minute topic – which we then read out … different directions our minds take us. Cheers and have a very good year ahead – Hilary
Isn’t it nice when we start getting more daylight? I like your intentions for today. :)