Many people have the desire and natural ability to write but don’t know how to follow through on the practical aspects of writing. Follow these tips to harness that energy and produce constructive results.
Set Aside Writing Time
Forget about waiting for inspiration. Treat writing as a job and sit down and write. Finish projects, set targets and keep to them and eventually the inspiration will catch up with the perspiration.
Set Achievable Goals
Most established writers regard 1000 words, checked and polished, as an attainable target. If necessary, start lower with 100 or 200 words but keep pushing and increase the output over weeks or months.
Ignore Distractions
It’s a strange thing that even housework can look appealing when a writer has a free hour to write. The secret is discipline. Set a limit of an hour or two to work and during that time put aside all distractions. Don’t answer the door or phone or check emails, just write. Once into it, it can be difficult to stop. The hardest thing is always to get going.
Flexible is Not always Good
Writers tend to get more respect and understanding from friends and family when they set their working hours. It creates boundaries and generally makes life easier for all concerned.
Focus on Certain Areas
This is especially important for new writers. Stick to familiar topics and build on these. A person who is trained in electronics and computer skills would do well to major on these, rather than trying to diversify into cooking, water skiing, dog training and a host of unrelated subjects.
Write With a Series in Mind
This principle works with fiction and non-fiction. A successful first novel or how-to book can open the way for a follow-on. If the book or short story was fiction, write a second based on a secondary character in the first. If it was non-fiction and showed people how to fish, how about a follow-up that specialises in types of fishing such as deep sea and trout.
Keep Supplies on Hand
Fill a drawer or small cupboard with stationery and supplies that are indispensible to a writer. Think along the lines of paper, pens, notebooks, various size envelopes, stamps, stapler and staples, punch, flash drive, blank CDs and DVDs and reference books.
Plan Ahead
Before finishing writing for the day, make a list of what needs to be done the following day and leave it in a prominent place.
Create a Pleasant Working Space
Many writers don’t have the privilege of a private office and use a kitchen table or a corner of a sitting room. This can be personalised by adding a vase of flowers, a photo or a certificate of success. It is worth setting these items up when working as it signals the brain that it’s time to work and pleasant surroundings always help.
Never Give Up
Persevere and keep writing no matter what. It takes thirty days to form a habit and writing can become a habit. It may be an effort to begin with but with persistence can become a way of life.
Most new writers and many experienced writers go through periods of frustration. The above tips are ways to get creativity flowing again and can help a writer commit to self discipline and routines. The results will be well worth the effort.
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