In a new post, Angela Ackerman suggests ways we can all waste less time when we write. “On one hand, we may putter a bit as a way ‘into’ writing–-getting supplies together, pouring a cup of coffee, and putting a few cookies on standby. Most of us have a pre-writing ritual,” she says. On the other hand, these rituals often lead to checking email and social media, Wiki holes, and web surfing.
Researching, brainstorming ideas, and reading craft articles also can veer from productive work into time-sucking habits, without our noticing. Some of us simply keep our desks too cluttered, so finding our materials and notes becomes a chore. “So…how do we get lost time back?” Ackerman asks. “By changing our habits & process a touch so writing time is spent doing exactly that: writing.”
Here are her suggestions:
- Time your procrastination. Give yourself time to check email and social media, but set a timer so that you don’t overdo it.
- Schedule separate time for non-writing tasks. Protect your writing time by scheduling separate time for planning, researching, marketing, and networking.
- Get organized. Writers hoard, but there’s no reason to be disorganized about it. Designate a space for story notes, ideas for future stories, and any writing materials you need.
- Ask why you procrastinate. “Often, we fall into a distraction hole because we’re struggling with the story,” Ackerman says. “When the writing gets hard, our motivation drains away. We’d rather get lost on the internet than face a nasty knot in our manuscript.” However, those story problems aren’t going to fix themselves. Sometimes you need a break from your manuscript, but getting back into your story is going to be the key to a long-term fix.
