Writing as a Lifestyle
When you decide to take writing seriously, you’re making a lifestyle choice as much as you are making a career choice. As a writer, you may have to change up your living conditions. If you haven’t made any sells yet, that might mean stretching your $20 or leaving your work only to come home and work some more. It might mean staying up late to get a chapter in or waking up early to fit in an hour of editing before your day job. Frankly, you’ll probably have to cut back on time with friends and family and hobbies, because to be a great writer, you have to not only write, but read, and study, and it helps to network and have an online presence as well. I’ve been living a writing lifestyle for over a two years now. This post will cover some things I’ve learned that have helped me be most productive.
Finding (Making) Time
The most important thing about being a writer is to write! This is your priority. This means you need to put in the time and effort. Talking or daydreaming about it, or staring at the keyboard isn’t enough. If you’re a parent or work at another job, like I mentioned above, this might mean fitting time in at night or in the early morning, or during nap time.
If you have a more flexible schedule, try finding out what time of the day you write best, and schedule your life around it. I’ve heard that most writers work best right before or after sleeping, because that’s usually when the creative side of the brain is active. It’s true for me. So I wake up extra early and get in some writing before I go to work. If I have trouble getting back into my story in the afternoon, I take a power nap, and magically, writing becomes easier. I was a little skeptical of this idea before, but now I know how it really can play a role in my productivity.
Getting the Most out of Your Writing Session
You’ve made the time, now, make the most out of your time. This doesn’t mean writing as fast as you can. What’s the point of writing at all if you’re going to write crap? I mean do everything to get in your writing zone and stay there.
This might mean finding your own quiet space where you can work without being bothered. For me, it’s more than that. It means watching what I do when I’m not writing, because that influences my productivity. Hunger, fatigue, brain fogs can all effect my fiction session. So I watch what I eat. Nothing can slow you down like poor health (physical, mental, or spiritual).
Your Work Space
It’s worth investing in items that will make your writing session more comfortable. When I first started this journey, I didn’t care much about my work space. Months into it, I found out what a difference a good chair, the right table height, and posture can make--it helped me write longer. I have an ergonomic keyboard and a trackball (that I can use with either hand) instead of a mouse so I can type more. I keep my laptop screen’s brightness at the lowest level to reduce the strain on my eyes. I also take eye vitamins now (and yes, they work.) I found I was more comfortable with a foot rest. Back in college, I started having severe pain in my hands. Luckily the doctors didn’t find anything serious, but now I take primrose and fish oils to help prevent the aches, so I can be more productive.If you want to write for many years to come, don’t skimp out on your health and work space. You can also make the most of your time by working out story problems while in the shower, eating lunch, or brushing your teeth, so that when your writing session starts, you’re ready. And of course, make the most out of your session by actually putting in the effort. Treat it like a job. Do whatever you need to stay focused.
Prioritize
If you work too hard, too long, you’ll crash. Breaks aren’t overrated. But you’ll get the most out of your time if you prioritize.
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