Tips for Getting More Writing Done
One of the challenges of writing is...writing. Here are some tips for actually getting some work done:
- For many people, don't wait for inspiration to strike. Creative thinking often comes most easily when you’re writing regularly and frequently, when you’re constantly thinking about your project.
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Write in brief chunks of time; taking frequent breaks keeps you fresh. And don’t mislead yourself with thoughts like, “If I don’t have five or six hours clear, there’s no point in starting.” Even fifteen minutes is long enough to write.
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Don’t procrastinate and don’t binge on writing. These habits lead to burn-out.
- If you have trouble re-entering a project, stop working in mid-thought—even mid-sentence—so it’s easy to dive back in later.
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Stay patient. Don’t get distracted by how much you are or aren’t getting done.
- Remember that lots of good ideas and great writing come during the revision stage.
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Develop a method of keeping track of thoughts, ideas, articles, or anything that catches your attention. Combing through these materials helps stimulate your creativity.
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Pay attention to your physical comfort. Do you have a decent desk and chair? Are you cramped? Is the light too dim or too bright? Make a salute—if you feel relief when your hand is shading your eyes, your desk is too brightly lit.
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Check your body. Lower your shoulders, make sure your tongue isn’t pressed against the top of your mouth, don’t sit in a contorted way.
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Try to eliminate interruptions—by other people, email, or poking around the Internet—but don’t tell yourself that you can only work with complete peace and quiet.
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Down with boredom. If something's boring to you, you probably won't be able write about it in an interesting way. Find a way to make that subject interesting, or find a way to leave it out altogether.
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Stuck? Go for a walk and read a good book. Virginia Woolf noted in her diary: “The way to rock oneself back into writing is this. First gentle exercise in the air. Second the reading of good literature. It is a mistake to think that literature can be produced from the raw.”
- Have something to say! This sounds obvious, but it’s a lot easier to write when you’re trying to tell a story, explain an idea, convey an impression, give a review, or whatever. If you're having trouble writing, forget about the writing and focus on what you want to communicate.
Not sure what to write? Start gathering your thoughts with a manifesto or your personal commandments.
