bullshit-free guide to actually fucking writing your wip
disclaimer: this isnât a fool proof method. when it comes to writing advice and techniques for productivity I say keep an open mind, but take what works for you and leave the rest.Â
disclaimer 02: this is more or less for people who want to eventually publish, but there may be elements in here that benefit hobby-writers.
Some people will tell you that your writing routine needs to be sacred. I donât quite believe that. You can absolutely curate a space for yourself that you aim to write in, but at the same time, focusing very strongly on the ritual of writing makes it hard to create an adaptable habit.Â
Your desk or table should face away from your bed, my mother always swore by that and it stuck with me. If space doesnât allow for that, consider putting furniture or some partition up so you canât see your bed. For some reason, this makes focusing easier.Â
For those of you who may be bedridden or have limited space, a good bed-desk is absolutely just as acceptable (I am actually planning to get one).Â
If you have a space separate from your bedroom, the follow applies as well:Â
Eliminate as much distraction as possible from your desk. Your experience of distraction is unique so do what you gotta do to eliminate it.Â
Make sure your space is well lit. Background light is essential to avoid eyestrain when staring at a screen.
Your chair should be comfortable, and support your back. Scoot your ass all the way to the back of the chair and try sitting on your thighs as much as possible to take strain off your lower spine (my chiropractor told me this).
You need to make time for your writing. Summer means the sunshine is waking me up at 5:45 AM and itâs too hot to doze comfortably so my ass is up and writing or reading until 7 AM when I gotta start getting reading for the day. If I have to catch the 10:15 AM bus, Iâve for about 4 hours to work with between waking up and leaving.Â
I finished July 2019 Camp Nano by writing in the morning. And Iâm not even a morning person, I swear.
Make time for you writing. If you can make a routine you can stick to, excellent, if you have a handful of 5-10 minute time-pocketsâ also okay! The 30 minutes your dinner is in the oven is just as good a time to write as any other.
How do you learn how to write in tiny time pockets, you ask, well here it is: Micro Writing Sprints and Macro Writing Sprints. The former applies to pockets of time under 15 mins, while the latter applies to pockets of time over 20 mins. All you have to do is set a timer and challenge yourself to write as much as you possibly can.Â
Another thing to keep in mind is knowing your personal limits. If your attention suffers and you start to wander after 15 mins, keep your sprints to 5-10 minute blocks, and give yourself 5-15 min breaks where you get up, drink some water, move your body and then come back to your writing.Â
tangentwithtanner
jacobvanloon
prguitarman
turnnoffyourmind
