Writing is one of those things that can be painful. Am I right? You need to write but the words just don’t come.
You fidget. You get up. Get down. Toggle over to Facebook. Go to Pinterest to pin a few things. Check your email. Next thing you know you’ve wasted an hour and have MAYBE one good sentence written.
I’ve been there. I know you have too.
So how do we break through it? If it’s a creativity issue, then check out these seven tricks to boost creativity. But if you know what you need to do but somehow just can’t seem to do it, then this post is for you.
And me too.
I’m writing a book. And in writing a book, I need to write just about daily. I’m trying to figure out something that works so I thought I’d ask around for ideas. Because as I get deeper and deeper into this thing, I’ll need to stay focused!
And of course I know no matter what you’re writing – a blog post, sponsored post, an article for another site, an ebook, something else – these tips might help you too.
Here are some things that have helped fellow bloggers.
Catherine from Evolving Mommy:
I have to treat the computer as a type-writer and only have TextPad or Ommwriter open. Otherwise it is too easy to start clicking around and getting distracted.
Jessica from Found the Marbles:
I’m not sure if this helps but sometimes when I find myself procrastinating, I go ahead and finish up all other pertinent items on my to-do list. Once the other projects are done I have an easier time digging in to the writing.
Jen from Momma Said:
I go run an errand. The car is my Muse.
Andrea from Lil Kid Things (in the middle of writing Klout for Dummies!):
My latest secret weapon is 80s pop music! There’s a reason they use it for aerobics classes. It really gets you going!
Jenn from The Rebel Chick:
A few of my blogging friends and I do “blogathons” where we tell each other on Facebook how many posts we need to write, and we cheer each other on on that Facebook thread. Each time we finish a post, we link up the URL. It’s fun and I like the accountability!
Rajean from Rajean Blomquist:
Honestly (am I admitting this out loud?) – I tend to do better the closer I get to deadline. Not sure why, but often the creativity and words flow because I’m under pressure to meet the deadline. I rarely schedule posts (so far), I tend to do better on the fly. I like to forecast and plan, use editorial calendars as much as possible, etc., but the actual meat of the writing just flows better for me ‘in the moment,’ and often that is not as far before deadline as my BP likely deserves! I must like the rush. I suppose it reminds me of the newsroom.
Angela from AngEngland (author of soon-to-be-released book Backyard Farming):
Get together with a writing partner and do writing sprints. You both set a timer for say 45 minutes (usually one person keeps the time) and everyone writes for 45 or 50 minutes without stopping. At the end of the sprint they call TIME and everyone reports their progress.
Amy from Taste Like Crazy:
I turn off the Wifi on my laptop and turn off my phone. If I don’t, I’ll be tempted to hop on Facebook and/or Twitter for “a second” which always turns into something like 30 minutes. :D
Jendi from Simple Vlogging Tips:
I use a timer. For some reason, having it ticking away right beside me makes me stay focused.
Tara from Feels Like Home:
Turn off social media. No Facebook, no Twitter, no Pinterest, no email either. They all tempt me and slow me down.
I’ll be testing things over the next few months. Getting up early (AAAAACK), using a timer (which I do often) and I’m definitely going to try writing sprints.
What about you? How do you stay productive when writing?
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I set time aside to write everyday. A blog post can be done in one sitting, but my book – not so much. If I let a few days go without working on it, I spend the few minutes I have figuring out where I am in the story.
Along with that, just write. It’s a lot easier to edit crap than to edit nothing. Whether it’s a blog post or an article, I just write the ideas I have. Usually that is enough to get the flow going for a rough draft. Then I can leave it for an hour and come back and revise.
Raejean recently posted..Homemade Owl Costume
Great question!
Speaking of myself, yes, I too have problems writing sometimes. However, being a professional freelance writer and blogger, I really can’t let that get the better of me. I tend to go for long walks, something that I’ve always done as a routine – the first thing in the morning. And I get my inspiration in nature and seeing people around me during those morning hours. Nothing can be so peaceful, beautiful and serene as that.
Thanks for sharing.
Harleena Singh recently posted..A Bad Temper Can Leave Scars
Twitter: AlisonSWLee
says:
Great tips. I have to turn off all social media, have a very quiet house (hence I only write during nap time or at night after the kids go to bed) and a cup of hot tea beside me.
Alison recently posted..Be Kind
Twitter: Kpugs
says:
I’m a deadline writer too…I cannot have social media on at all or I’m too easily distracted. I haven’t tried timed writing sprints…but I will now.
Kelly recently posted..Hurricane Sandy Prep
Productive? I’m supposed to be productive?! That’s my problem! LOL
Thanks so much for including what I do and best wishes on getting up earlier! [I can get up earlier when I go to bed earlier, but I hate going to bed earlier...]
Jendi recently posted..My Day Off From Being A Mother
Twitter: artchootwit
says:
I love the idea of working with a group that will keep each other accountable. I think if you are doing this with other people, you can’t slip up, since you will have to answer to other people instead of just your guilty conscience. Love this idea.
Jeanette from Artchoo recently posted..Paper Source
Twitter: JameeTMiller
says:
My writing has been lacking as of late so this post comes at a great time! Thanks for all of the great tips both in the posts and from the comments!
Jamee @ A New Kind of Normal recently posted..Lunch With A Mentor
Twitter: a_lifeofourown
says:
Turning off social media is a must, but I so rarely do it. I’m like one of the other people where Im more likely to do it closer to the deadling. I was always a procrastinator…
Venassa recently posted..I was the Halloween Pinata
Twitter: JodiAman
says:
I just start. It is the hardest part for me. Once I get over that voice in me head that makes me want to avoid, I just get going.
Jodi @ Heal Now and Forever recently posted..Calming Your Inner Storm: The Weather as Reflection of Inner Turmoil
Twitter: wellroundedhome
says:
I really like the idea of partnering up with a buddy to write for a set amount of time. I have a couple of buddies that have also expressed interest in writing but we all usually just end up complaining about how we don’t have time. I think I’ll start a “Girls Night Write” club. Heh!
Kacey recently posted..2012 Week In My Life: Day #7
Twitter: Uncoordmommy
says:
I agree with the timer. I learned that my son can entertain himself for about 30 min before he starts getting whiney and wanting my attention. I set a timer and work until it goes off and the go play with him. I’ve found that the pressure of the timer keeps me focused. And it’s easier to concentrate when I don’t have a whiney child.
Tracy @ The UnCoordinated Mommy recently posted..Ancestry.com – Death Records Challenge Bua-ah-ah-ah-ahhhhh
I am still learning to admit I am writing deliberately. I know that sounds too stupid to believe, but I am just coming to the place that I’m willing to say to myself that I am writing for all the reasons someone may write not because of some other purpose that pushes me to write.
I suppose that, in itself has made me more productive, but I’ve reached a place where I am going to have to create a plan for my writing. Give myself deadlines until I am getting them from others.
Maggie S. recently posted..Halloween
Yes, we all as writers have been there.
I usually switch off the social platforms & have some soft instrumental music on. Unlike lyric based, where we tend to start singing as the song plays, a soft instrumental would calm your nerves and help write better.
And nothing better than a little meditation in the morning!!
GREAT ideas! I always love to have a few things in my back pocket for when I need them!!
My secret weapon…the shower! Whenever things just don’t flow I take a shower. For whatever reason, it’s where I do my best and most creative thinking. Go figure. —Lisa
The Dose of Reality recently posted..Politics of the Playground
Walking or atv riding in the woods is where I do most of my creative thinking. How can you not think clearly with all of nature’s beauty! My mind wonders off while the voice recorder is on.
Carrying a voice recorder at all times helps me a lot. I also place the voice recorder on my night stand every night and during my daily meditation session making sure I don’t miss any of those aha moments!
Listening to nature music helps me relax when I try to put all of those ideas together. Except for the music, everything else is shut off.
Judy recently posted..Lowering Cholesterol Levels the Natural Way
These are great tips. Specifically speaking, everyone writes differently and in different comfort zones. I am usually at my most productive first thing in the morning, with a good night’s sleep under my belt. I have also been known to bang out several thousand words late in the evening when the house is quiet. I sometimes have problems settling in to write because of other responsibilities. I use a 20 minute switch off. 20 minutes of chores rewarded with 20 minutes of writing. And yes, I look at writing as a reward! Sometimes the hardest thing is the stopping and starting. Over ten years of writing for myself, it took me until the last few years to realize that I need to write every single day. Every day! It takes a long time to build that habit of writing and not being distracted from it. And if there is a time that you need to walk away from the writing and take a break, leave off in the middle of a sentence. That way when you sit down to it again, you have somewhere to start. Starting is the most important step to getting something done.
Twitter: sandrasallin
says:
I’m so new to writing that I’m not sure I have a method. My profession was painting, but wanted to get out into the world and decided to write and have a blog. I seem to just start writing wether it’s at the computer and I know I need to post, or it’s late at night and I get an idea. I start and don’t edit. I just go on and on. then edit and then edit some more. I then look for photos to use, edit them. Then edit everything some more. I think I spend more time editing than writing. Just push it all out and then cut it all back. I don’t listen to music, don’t want distractions. So I write, write, write and edit, edit edit. I really spend a lot of time on each post. At least 4 days maybe more.