How To Increase Writing Productivity Part 2

If you missed Part 1--suggestions on writing more productivly from Kevin J Anderson, be sure to check it out.

I agreed with a lot of what Kevin had to say. In fact I've worked to impliment at least one of his suggestions. I'm now telling people and doing my best to keep with writing at the same time each day. To me, that goes with the "shut up and write" principle. Now, that doesn't always work because my son may or may not go down for his nap at the same time each day, but I've found that it's even helped him sleep better if I'm consistent at putting him down at relatively the same time each day.

So, here are a few more suggestions that I've found have worked for me.

• Write something every single day, whether it be in your current WIP or a journal or a blog entry or something along those lines. Write something to keep you in the habit of writing daily.

• One of the things we should do as writers is to read. So, I've choosen a day where I will focus on reading rather than working on my WIP. That's usually a day that I count writing in my journal as work. This has helped keep me up to date as to what is out there in the published world, and I've learned a thing or two as I read. :)

• Be ready to write whenever you can. If I can only squeeze out 5 minutes, then I take those 5 minutes and write a few sentences. That's more than not writing anything at all because we don't think we have enough time to get anything done. I have found time in between classes at a writing conference that I've sat in a corner and worked on some things. I've taken the spare moment when my husband has the kids to get what I can done. It's better than nothing.

• Have you ever noticed how much time we spend in the car? When I really think about it, I'm amazed. So, I've begun to utilize that time to plot and develop whatever I happen to be working on. New ideas will come and when I get a chance, I'll scribble them down. It's a chance to tune out the kids and dive into your book at least mentally.

• Always have paper with you. You never know when something will come. Then you'll have something to write it down on so you don't forget.

• Work on something different. If you feel like you're not sure where to go next with a plot line or a character, give it a rest. Start another story. Write a blog post. Do something else. Let your subconcious have a shot at it, and things will iron out faster than if you beat your head against a wall for days.

• The last thing I've rediscovered recently is taking a break. Breaks are good. Give yourself permission to not stress over you WIP for a few days or a few weeks. Then DON'T stress over it or beat yourself up because you feel like you should be writing. Our minds need breaks just as much as our bodies do. I think the hardest thing to do though, is giving yourself permission to relax. Give it a try. You'll be amazed at how refreshed you'll feel your break, and how much more productive you'll be.

These are things that are working for me. I hope they may give you some additional ideas to help you write more productivly. Life is crazy and should be enjoyed. Hopefully these tips help. I'll share more as I discover more. In the meantime, HAPPY WRITING!

How To Increase Writing Productivity Part 1

This week, I'm sharing my notes from the keynote speaker at this year's StoryMakers Conference, Kevin J Anderson. I'm sure most of use struggle to find time to fit in our desire to write, or maybe that's just me. Kevin had some great ideas that I'm passing on, then next week I'll add my own (at least what has worked up until now). :)

Kevin J Anderson

Writing Productivity

You have to make it for yourself. Find the time & make the most of it

Tips for increasing writing productivity

(He began my gives us these ideas to think about and figure out where we fight into the numbers game.)

Writing one book per year, it’s virtually impossible to make a living.

“Be prolific or starve”

part-time writer=one bk a yr

1-2 hrs

10 hrs

full-time writer=8 hr, 7 days

9 wks

5-6 bks a yr

FAST writing doesn’t mean BAD writing

A Christmas Carol—6 wks

As I Lay Dying—6 wks

A Clockwork Orang—3 wks

on the Road—20 days

Fahrenheit 41—9 days

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde—1 wk

Now for the tips:

1—shut up and write (carve out time, let people know you’re at work, go into the “office”) focus mode in Microsoft

2—Defy the Empty Page (If you’re stuck, move on, fill it in later)

3—Dare to Be Bad (at first) then fix it, It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does have to be finished. It’s easier to fix existing prose than to write a perfect prose to begin with.

4—Know the Difference Between WRITING & EDITING, you can always go back and make changes, don’t go back while you’re going forward

5—Use Every Minute. Learn to write at the drop of a hat, you never know how much time you’ll get. Think about stories when you have the time. Plot out, think about then you can write when you have a chance

6—Set Goals for Yourself and Stick to Them. Set realistic goals, set one you can achieve,         Writers of the Future Contest.com

7—Work On different projects at the same time, projects in different stages

8—Create your best writing environment (noise canceling headphones) look at your set up so you don’t hurt back, arms, wrists, arms 90 degrees, neck not down, back straight

9—Think outside the keyboard, digital recorder, talk to yourself, walk until you have a chapter dictated

10—Get inspired, go places, do things, take classes, learn things

11—Know when to stop.

HAPPY WRITING!