Here it is, after years of research and planning, my guide to overcoming writer’s block and writing more.
Are you ready? It’s just a few steps!
Ultimate Guide to Writing More
- Acquire a writing tool. This could be:
- A laptop or desktop computer
- A tablet
- An old-timey typewriter
- A notepad with pen or pencil
- A stone tablet with chisel
- Chalk and a chalkboard
- Dry-erase marker and a whiteboard
- A voice memo app on a smartphone
- A digital recording device
- Your amazing photographic memory
- Sit down. Or stand, if you prefer.
- Write something using your preferred writing tool.
- Repeat until writing is done.
This post brought to you by coming across yet another article on writer’s block/boosting your writing productivity by stating the obvious, which is to be disciplined (write) and consistent (write regularly).
I mean, I get it, it’s really what you should do. But how do you achieve that discipline if you don’t have any? How do you find out if maybe writing just isn’t for you, and maybe you should sew adorable stuffed animals instead?
Subscribe to find out!
Just kidding. I have no idea. Here are some random thoughts, though.
How to Achieve Writing Discipline (possibly for real)
- Determine if you’re a morning, afternoon or evening person
- Set aside time to write during the period that matches the type of person you are. It can be as little as five minutes.
- Write something at that time. Free write nonsense if nothing comes to mind, just write.
- Repeat this on a regular basis. It doesn’t have to be every day, but it should be often enough to be a regular thing.
This seems simple, because it really is. And if you make yourself sit down to do the writing, and you make yourself actually write (anything) and stick to it, you’ll develop a habit and start writing more and better stuff. Like magic! Or science. One or the other.
If you’re easily distracted by something (e.g. social media on your smartphone), then remove the distraction (throw your phone into the ocean, or maybe just put it into Do Not Disturb mode and leave it in another room). Then write!