5 Ways to Carve Out More Productive Writing Days

There's no doubt about it. Summer is seductive. The allure of which can sometimes create lazy days, short-circuit our focus, and derail our writing goals.

Though being a "beach bum" for a few months won't kill your career, it can certainly kill your motivation and make it harder to move forward with those resolutions you made earlier this year. Remember?

The ushering in of fall now holds endless possibilities... 

With this in mind, we'll explore 5 tips to more productive writing days with greater purpose and progress.

If you're on board, let's get busy.

5 WAYS TO OPTIMIZE YOUR WRITING DAYS...

1.START EARLY

There's great validity to the expression, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." Think of it as potentially getting a jump start on better crisis management. 

Writing in the early hours of the morning allows for clearer head space, fewer distractions, and the ability to be more proactive than reactive. Typically, as the day unfolds, there is a greater likelihood for phone calls, family needs, noise, and general chaos. Give yourself a fighting chance. 

2. START WITH SPECIFIC GOALS

Have you ever noticed that when you go to the grocery store without a shopping list you often end up spending more and getting less of what you originally needed?

A similar situation happens when you embark upon a writing journey without a specific destination or desired goal. A blank screen can be intimidating enough. For the best results write a to-do list to guide your efforts. Your goals will dictate your game plan.

For example...

Would you like to update your blog today? Pen 500 words for your current W.I.P.? Pitch a few publishers regarding your novel? Create a new online class? Assess and address. Some effort is definitely better than none. In the words of Nike: "Just do it!"

3. CONSIDER WRITING PROMPTS

 Writing prompts are great writing tools to provide inspiration, stimulate thought, and to get into the general flow of things. Some are theme-based; while others are simply clever introductory lines that pull you in and push you forward. 

According to Theodysseyonline.com: "Writing prompts allow for an opportunity in exercising and challenging your writing skills. Stepping out of your comfort zone or trying new perspectives can help you in not only improving your work but also in understanding your strengths and weaknesses as a writer. You could find that one genre suits you better than other, or one point of view is more appealing and comfortable than another. A good challenge is healthy once in a while, and writing prompts sure are a way to exercise your creativity."

Here are a few places to help you become a rock star writer:

https://thinkwritten.com/365-creative-writing-prompts/

https://becomeawritertoday.com/writing-prompts-free/

4. LIMIT TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA

It goes without saying that human beings are social creatures. We crave interaction. We "connect" in order to be heard and seen. To share our thoughts and experiences. Not to mention, living in the age of a pandemic has unfortunately prevented us from enjoying many of the in-person activities and events of which we have become accustomed. Still, that doesn't mean we should over-compensate by spending endless hours with our Facebook friends with nothing to show for it. Perish the thought. 

"All things in moderation."

5. REMEMBER TO CELEBRATE AND EMBRACE SMALL STEPS

Writing is hard. As rewarding as it is, it's also time-consuming, mentally exhausting, and sometimes frustrating. Dealing with editors' rejections; dealing with eye and back strain; navigating technical issues; feast or famine cycles; etc.

Stay in the game. Keep yourself motivated by rewarding yourself for efforts extended and goals achieved. 

As a point of reference here, one way that I do this is to kick back to a good, relaxing movie after spending hours on the computer. Or sometimes I even treat myself to a small shopping spree. It works if you work it.

IN CONCLUSION...

In order to become a prolific, productive writer, discipline/structure is needed. Following these five tips is a terrific place to start.

READERS

Would love to hear your thoughts on this. Agree or disagree? 

What would you add?  

Image credits: Pixabay.com