A WRITING EXPERIMENT: DAY ONE
the pomodoro method is a productivity activity that keeps your mind focused at the same time as allowing yourself small breaks in between.
it works like this: write for 25 minutes completely undistracted and focused and then take a five minute break away from your work. repeat this three times over so the you have worked for 75 minutes (in three 25 minute sections) and then take a longer break of 30-45 minutes.
writing session one: 899 words
writing session two: 852 words
writing session three: 805 words
writing session four: 897 words
writing session five: 801 words
writing session six: 754 words
writing session seven: 872 words
writing session eight: 963 words
extra writing session totals = 1380
I really enjoyed this method of writing. 25 minutes felt like just the right time to get a good chunk written but not to get too far ahead that I started to lose focus. I did often have closer to ten minute breaks just to get stuff done in my breaks but that is just what worked best for me.
I did two consecutive pomodoros in the morning which is when most of my word count got written and then after the second I went out for a long break with some friends.
when I came back I was super tired and had lots of little bits to do around the flat as well as finding that my brain was getting a bit fogged up with the novel because it had been my sole focus for most of the day. so instead of carrying on the pomodoro method in the evening I just tried to write like I normally do in slighter shorter chunks and with longer breaks
overall I really enjoyed this method and got a lot more words written than I had expected which is great. I think this is probably the most words I have ever written in one day which I'm pretty proud of and will defiantly be using the technique again.
