We’re halfway through 2023. How is your writing going? Have you slacked off? Do you need a fresh start, or a better way to manage your writing schedule with real life? Most of us do, so don’t be too hard on yourself!
Here are ten productivity tips to give you and your writing a boost.
- Write daily. By committing to a frequent practice, even if it’s only five minutes, you become increasingly skilled at generating ideas, honing your writing style, and maintaining a flow of creativity.
- Use a timer and do sprints. This structured and focused approach boosts productivity, builds writing stamina, and bypasses your inner critic. Combine it with Tip 7 to maximize your writing time.
- Don’t edit as you go; free write and edit later. Again, bypass your internal editor to get into the flow of your imagination. This allows innovative plots and characters to surface.
- Write for a super fan. Writing for the masses is daunting and you know you can’t please everyone. Writing for ONE person who loves your work makes it feel more real and increases your motivation.
- Up the stakes until you can’t up them more. This keeps your readers (as well as you, the writer) wanting to know what happens next.
- Read, read, read. Immerse yourself in the works of other writers, read books on craft, and broaden your imagination.
- Break down big goals into smaller chunks. Writing a novel can be daunting, which may lead to procrastination and a lack of focus, but if you only need to write one scene, that’s doable. Set a timer, like Tip 2 suggests, and free write.
- Hire a coach to help with ideas, plots, and for motivation. You don’t have to do this alone, or reinvent the wheel. A coach can save you time (and your sanity.)
- Always have a notebook and pen accessible; or use your phone to jot down ideas. Even when lightning strikes with the best idea ever for your novel, you WILL forget it if you don’t write it down.
- Outline. An outline is a road map that will save you hours of frustration. You don’t have to stick to it every step of it along the way – often characters go off script – but if you get lost and can’t find your way back to your plot, an outline will come to the rescue.
As an author with over 80 published fiction novels and many more on the way, I’ve found that each of these tips has improved my productivity at different points in my career. I hope they help you, too.
May your writing be easy,
Misty Evans
Misty Evans
USA TODAY Bestselling Author and book coach, Misty Evans, has published over eighty fiction novels. She loves writing urban fantasy, paranormal romance, mystery/suspense, and supernatural cozy mysteries. For more from Misty connect with her on Ream.