I spent seven days working on my writing process. My goal was to let go of word counts for a week and delve into creativity and flow. Instead of writing sprints, I aimed for ninety-minute sessions “in the zone.”
First I had to figure out how to get that creativity and flow going.
Duh: Do more of those things that help me get into the zone, and less of those things that don’t.
To get into the zone, I did less of:
- TV
- Junk food
- Keeping my cell phone nearby (thus using energy to ignore the shiny object, ignore the shiny object, ignore the shiny object)
- National news outlets (depressing, aggravating)
- Surfing the Internet
- Late night munching
- Multiplexing
- Multitasking
- Cleaning too much (yes, there is such a thing)
- Lazing too long on the sofa and getting stiff
- Unproductive, busy work
- Caffeinated tea or coffee after 3pm
- Perfectionism
- Being a hermit
- Writing sprints (I know, I know, but . . . )
- Staying up too late
And I did more of:
- Adequate sleep
- Keeping my work area(s) decluttered
- Meditation
- Ignoring word counts, not even looking at words produced until the end of the week
- Healthy food
- Journaling
- Love n kisses<3
- Socializing
- Indulging in earned rewards
- Staying warm so I wouldn’t be distracted by zombie fingers
- Giving back
- Doggy love
- Prayer
- Studying the craft of writing
- Spending time in front of my envision board
- Binaural beats
- Attending my writing group
- Keeping writing-process activities front and center of attention by posting them on my white board (instead of posting the usual word count or editing goals)
- Writing in areas conducive to long, focused work
- Keeping alerts off my computer
- Keeping my phone silenced and out of sight in another room
- Checking my posture in my chair (slouching just makes me achy and want to leave my desk)
- Going to bed on time
- Stretching or foam rolling
- Longer writing sessions (60 to 90 minutes)
- Checking my mindset to make sure I’m chill and not in a perfectionist mood
- Mindful eating habits
- Exercise
- Reading for fun
- Getting outside
How’d I do?
Over the week, I spent the same amount of time on writing as usual (20 hours), and 5.5 of those hours were not writing at all but either studying the craft or evaluating work in my writing group.
I gasped when I saw the word count for my process week.
I tallied up the words again. No mistake: I had doubled my output by focusing on the process of writing rather than just turning out words. In 14.5 hours of actual writing, I produced 10,500 words instead of my normal 5,500.
I learned three biggies:
- The library is a great place to write when you’re sleepy. It has good lighting and firm chairs, and library patrons would think you’re odd if you fell asleep, so you try really hard to stay awake!
- The coffee shop is a terrible place to write. The visual distraction is too much with people walking around and the door swinging open and shut. There are also distracting food smells and chatter, plus it’s expensive.
- Yes, it is possible to get into the zone when writing. The work flows, and 90 minutes goes by in a flash. This flow state didn’t happen every time I sat down to write, but most of the time it did when my surroundings and mindset were good.
We’re all unique, so what works for me might not work for the next writer. But if you’re struggling with your word count, and pushing your writing sprints isn’t helping, try focusing on your process instead and see if that helps.
Happy writing!
Thanks for the advice. I’m sure I’d actually GET to my WIP if I could manage a padded room with free chocolates. 🙂
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Hahaha, you made me laugh this morning, Chelsea! Thanks for stopping by.:-)
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Ha,funny you should write this piece. I have a scheduled post for 8:30 tonight discussing what you call The Zone (I Call it the Writing Magic). High five for getting your Zone on this week… that’s a great word count!
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I’m looking forward to reading your post! Thank you for commenting, Jessica!
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Since I discovered my ‘zone’, (first thing in the morning, before the world wakes up) I no longer have a problem with my writing. Now, If I could make this zone last longer, or convince the world to go back to bed…
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I like early morning, but yes, the world and the cats tend to rise and make demands and quash writing time. Thanks for commenting.:-)
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I like what you wrote here, Priscilla. I believe that sufficient sleep and rest is vital for creativity as well as the ability to focus. I don’t get nearly as much writing done when I am worrying about something else and don’t focus fully. When I am not, getting into the writing zone is fairly easy.
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I totally agree! Thank you for commenting, Robbie.:-)
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Enjoyed this piece. Mindfulness has been your friend this week. Good luck with sustaining this helpful model.
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Yes, “mindfulness” is a good way to sum up my week. Thanks for the good luck wish. I’m glad you popped in!
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This is great, Priscilla! Your transparency is refreshing and affirming. Binaural beats – I’ve read about that and talked to people who swear by it – need to check it out form myself.
Keep killing it, kiddo! Be the writer!
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You’re so kind, thank you. The alpha binaural beats help me quiet my mind during meditation, but I don’t have enough experience with any of the other frequencies to say yay or nay about them. Thanks for commenting, Alexander!
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I love that you really focused on things that you know help while avoiding those things you know are a hindrance. I know that the internet and my phone are the things that I need to stay away from when I need to get things done. I think that having a plan is also important. Awesome job!
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The Internet and phone are things we all probably need to stay away from when we want to get things done. So addictive! Thanks for your kind words, and thanks for commenting, Carole!
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The only thing that changes my output is a deadline 🙂
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I hear you. I hope some day to have an external deadline. Then my deadline and my process can work hand-in-hand. Thanks for stopping by, Jane!
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It concentrates the mind wonderfully 🙂 I’ve done NaNoWriMo the last three years. It’s silly really, since I could call any month NaNo month and make myself write 50000 words, but it only seems to work if there is somewhere official to log in figures every day.
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Great tips, Priscilla, and awesome word count! I’m usually pretty good at ignoring all distractions – except for the blog! I’m going to give myself a few “rules” and see how it impacts my writing.
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I think putting distractions out of sight and sound was the biggest help to me, that and being in a good frame of mind. Thanks for visiting, and good luck with your “rules”!
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I always loved studying or writing in the library. I feel like I’m there for a purpose and concentrate just a bit extra. I’m excited to read your first novel! 🙂
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Yeah, I’m going back to the library tomorrow. They even have coffee there! It’s awesome.:-) Thanks for stopping by!
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I admire the fact that you were able to list your distractions and focus so well on what works. Finishing what I start is a big problem for me, and I’m working on it. And. like Jane, I always work better with a deadline. (K)
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If you have trouble finishing what you start, you probably have an expansive imagination with lots of different ideas. I guess the trick is finding the best idea. Thanks so much for commenting.:-)
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Too many ideas. That’s definitely true.
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Awesome word count, Priscilla! And some excellent advice. I’ve tried both coffee shops and library, and if I had to choose, I’d probably pick the library also. I don’t drink coffee, but those tempting treats are distracting.
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Thank you. Ah yes, the cookies and pastries at the coffee shop . . . the library is a smarter choice for sure! I’m glad you stopped by, Ter!
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I need to get into a zone, I get to distracted and before I know it my day is over. 😦
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I hear ya! That’s why I have to remove distractions. Thanks for commenting, and good luck dealing with those distractions!
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Wow! You kicked butt on that word count. Congratulations!
I love the library for writing, too. Sometimes I do okay at my local coffee shop, but often I just do email checks there and then head to the library (if I’m not writing at home). Now I have to get in “the zone” and start writing!
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Thanks re the word count.:-) Good luck on your writing today, and thanks for stopping by, Mae!
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I’m not an aspiring author, but as a reviewer, I sometimes run into writer’s block. A change of scenery always helps me get started again. Hope this process continued to work for you.
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I like the idea of a change of scenery. With summer fast approaching, I’m hoping to get some outdoor writing in. I’m unsure of the bugs and birds, whether they’ll be distracting or not, guess I’ll find out! Thanks for commenting, Alicia!
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Thanks for sharing your process, Priscilla. I think something similar would work for other things aside from writing too!
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Agreed! I think anything that requires concentration needs some aspect of flow in order for a person to be successful. I’m glad you commented.:-)
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Good advice! As you say, it is a very personal process, but finding the right place and getting rid of distractions always helps. Good luck!
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Thanks. I had a very good, 90 minute work “flow” this morning. I’m hoping my next session will be just as good. Thanks for commenting!
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