Comments on: 6 tricks for writing when you don’t feel like it

By: April Harrison

April Harrison — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:13:53 +0000

Absolute value in this advice – thanks!
I’m working on a historical novel and doing some struggling rightnow, which makes it so easy to find distraction. Sometimes its fun, sometimes its such hard work!
One thing that really works for me is to make notes on my next scenes, including characters, setting of the scene, dialogue notes and how this scene is moving things forward – right before I go to bed.
It helps because when I wake up my plan for writing is done and it I’m set to go. More help, I think, is that by going to sleep right after with all of that freshly in my mind, I wake up often with insights, dialogue, actions that hadn’t occured to me in waking hours!

By: Jose Varkey

Jose Varkey — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:28:01 +0000

Great advise, especially to confused newbies like me.
Wish you all success in your writing career.
Jose Varkey

By: hope101

hope101 — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:50:24 +0000

Love the suggestions. A few other things that have helped me:

1. Set a word count deadline and promise my kids a monetary reward if I don’t produce.

2. Blog. Surprisingly this has reinvigorated my muse. It’s my place to play with words again – and to get feedback on them. Since the time between beginning a novel and perhaps getting it published can be years, the shots in the arm can be enormously helpful.

By: Barbara Samuel O'Neal

Barbara Samuel O'Neal — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:47:31 +0000

Good one, Katy! The 100 words helps a LOT of people. Thanks for the reminder.

By: Katy Cooper

Katy Cooper — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:40:51 +0000

I tell myself I have to write 100 words, that’s it. It’s a single, double-spaced page of 8-1/2 x 11 paper, that’s all. Nothing major. Once I’m done I’m done.

By: Anne

Anne — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:53:55 +0000

Such a great post and YES on the change of scenery. Works (almost) every time. :)

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:16:19 +0000

I love the timed writing suggestion, this technique would nip procrastination in the bud!

By: Melody Thomas

Melody Thomas — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:49:24 +0000

Wonderful blog since this is something I struggle with. The closer to deadline I get the more I find myself occupied with everything else but the writing. I have found setting the timer very helpful during these periods of procrastination and utter terror that I will not make my deadline. It’s like I’m giving myself permission to get up after a certain time has passed without guilt. This has eased the pressure on me and I find I am more productive because I see an end to staring at the computer screen in frustration if something is not flowing. It’s strange how the mind unlocks itself if you can just give the fear release.

By: A.H. George

A.H. George — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:36:59 +0000

Great post – my first time here. I wrote full time for several years (I have published four novels in the UK and my fifth is about to be submitted) having written my first two and half novels while working full-time as an attorney. I found the best way of maximizing efficiency was to mirror my old work habits. I treated it just like any other job. I had a studio a short walk away from the house (this was in London – I live in Missouri now) and would leave at the same time each day, etc. We had a new baby at the time and the old cliche about the baby carriage in the hallway is true!

Now I am working again as a lawyer, and I completed my new book by getting up at 5 a.m. every morning to write for two hours before the children wake up. (This is the only time I know I will have to myself on a regular basis, and I need routine more than anything.) Sometimes I just sit staring dully at the screen; sometimes I type like a madman. But there’s no question that rule #1 is the most important – if you don’t show up, nothing’s going to get written.

I may be wrong about this, but I think it was G. K. Chesterton who, when asked when inspiration strikes, replied, “At 9.30 every morning.”

By: Carol Ann Erhardt

Carol Ann Erhardt — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:20:54 +0000

What a great and timely blog. Thanks, Barbara. I’ve been procrastinating a lot lately. I blame the dreaded day job, household necessities, and interruptions, but the problem is ME. I have used the change of scene a lot. I enjoy taking my laptop to the back deck to write. I don’t have wireless, so I am not tempted to surf or check emails. I like the 20 minute followed by reward. Think I’ll give it a whirl.

By: Ronda Levine

Ronda Levine — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:45:12 +0000

I agree with Barbara, if I have music going on in the background it helps. I get too distracted by cars going by or the people upstairs if it’s too quiet when I’m trying to write. I also find that going for a walk, cleaning something I don’t want to clean, or sitting and doing nothing for 20 minutes will help motivate me to write when I’m feeling unmotivated. Finally telling someone what I’m going to do (either through Twitter or Facebook) helps, because then I feel accountable for my work.

By: Barbara Samuel O'Neal

Barbara Samuel O'Neal — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:21:51 +0000

Oh, and this: I think I can fly to India for about 3-1/2 weeks, including Ganges, Dehli, camel rides in the desert, a village or two, tigers, and a train ride (required, i think) for less than $4000. Definitely doable. Definitely a great reward.

Just saying. Rewards are fun. One of the things we give ourselves as writers is a life that might be a bit different, right?

By: Barbara Samuel O'Neal

Barbara Samuel O'Neal — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:12:19 +0000

Anna, when I had toddlers, I found that having “sound track” for the book was a big help. Any mother who gets work done deserves a round of applause.

Good insight, Nathanael! Imagination is the most powerful tool we have.

Melanie–I am not allowed to play FreeCell. It just knocks me off track. Really is important to know what’s an okay reward and what is going to derail you.

By: Therese Walsh

Therese Walsh — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:29:23 +0000

Excellent advice, as always. I had a 500-word Twitter challenge with some writing friends the other day, and I thought that was effective as well!

Thanks for a great post, Barbara.

By: Anna Elliott

Anna Elliott — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:41:58 +0000

What a great post, Barbara! With a toddler in the house, I’m often not terribly in control of just when I get writing time and just kind of have to roll with unpredictable interruptions. Getting my concentration and focus back can definitely be hard, so my own trick for writing when I’d rather do anything else and the internet is singing it’s siren song is to have a very strict daily word count goal. Until I reach that goal of words written for the day, every free moment I have goes to writing. Period. Then once I reach the goal, my reward is that I get to use my (brief periods) of free time for something relaxing/fun.