Thread by @BadRedheadMedia, Almost everyone you meet will tell you they want to write a [...]

Almost everyone you meet will tell you they want to write a book someday as if it’s the easiest thing in the world.

La la la la la.

Someone just told me that yesterday in fact.

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This is how you do it: you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word after another until it’s done. It’s that easy, and that hard.

~ Neil Gaiman @neilhimself

Writing is work. Hard work.

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It may come easier to you than to others, yet there’s no question that, like anything else worth doing, it requires thousands of hours of practice, learning, and skill just to get to the point of being capable of writing a book people might want to read.

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Even the most dedicated writers have trouble finding time to write, especially if they’re not full-time writers. How to carve out the time between working, family, marketing, and life?

Let's discuss

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Here are ways to make the most out of the time you do have and how to make the time, if that’s your struggle.

1) How Do I Make The Time To Write?

This is the number one complaint most writers have — I don’t have the time!

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(and I can relate) so...

Well, books and blog posts won’t write themselves, so…make it happen. How? Here are several ways:

· Start with just 10 MINUTES. That’s it. Most writers start out by trying to set aside huge blocks of time

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and when those blocks are interrupted, they become frustrated and quit.

So start small. 10 minutes here, 10 minutes there, wherever you are — waiting in line, on hold with the bank, waiting for a program to load or a computer update.

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These small moments are referred to as “time confetti.” Read more here:

Time confetti – snatching time to write when you have none via @beprolifiko https://buff.ly/3jkIfZB

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Time confetti – snatching time to write when you have none - Prolifiko

No time to write? Try time confetti. Find out how to write spontaneously when scheduled sessions just aren’t possible.

https://buff.ly/3jkIfZB

My only caution with this method is to write in the same place (e.g., a notebook, on your phone, on your computer) or use a note-taking program like @evernote that syncs.(they have a free version)

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· Free-write. If you’re just starting a regular writing practice and unsure what you plan to write about, start without a plan. It’s okay not to have one. Write about whatever you want, whenever you want. This gets your muscle memory going and aids creativity.

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2) Turn Off All Notifications While Writing

Most of us have some tech, right? A computer, smartphone, tablet, with constant notifications. We also have real-life notifications, like humans, pets, and bills, also wanting attention.

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How do we shut all that off so we can focus on our writing?
Turn off ALL tech notifications. You can and should do this when you write. If you write on your computer (as I do), close all your tabs. FOMO can wait.

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If you write in a notebook, turn off your phone notifications also.

· Employ the Napolean Technique. This strategy basically says most of the supposedly urgent ‘stuff we need to do,’ can wait; in fact, most busy-work types of things may resolve themselves.

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They can certainly wait the 10 minutes here or there while we’re writing.*

**Not to be mistaken for procrastination or the ostrich effect. You’re aware of what needs to be done; you’re simply prioritizing.

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· Do not disturb. If you have a dedicated writing space, shut the door. Sounds like a #doh, but it took me a while to take that definitive step that signifies to my family that I’m not messing around. Do not disturb The Mother Bot if the door is closed.

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If you don’t have a writing space, use the “I don’t want to be hit on” trick women have used for years: put in your earbuds or pop on your headphones, even if you don’t have anything playing. Those around you will get the message.

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It is only by writing, not dreaming about it, that we develop our own style.
~ PD James

3) Fun Stuff Only After Writing

This is a tough one, isn’t it? So many great shows to watch right now, especially being stuck at home this year with COVID-19.

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And it’s difficult because shows are a wonderful escape, right?

Turn off the television. You can do it. Think about how much time you’ve spent watching a series on Netflix or Hulu when you could have been writing. For me, it’s staggering.

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So, I’ve had to limit my watching to no more than two episodes of a show and only at night before bed (and only on my iPad).

By making the TV off-limits (except for family movie nights), I’m making my writing a priority.

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· Turn off all social media. As I write, I close out all social media channels on my computer and get no notifications on my phone. The world won’t end if I don’t know what political lie of the day is trending on Twitter

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right now, or who’s mad at who on Facebook for posting something they didn’t like.

Same with gaming. If gaming is your passion, use your gaming console the same way. Whatever you enjoy becomes your reward for productivity. Speaking of…

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4) Give Yourself Rewards

We’re only human. When you meet your writing goals, whether that’s writing daily for 10 minutes a day — come on, you can totally do that! — or completing this week’s blog post or a poem or that first chapter, grab a reward!

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You deserve it. Get that dopamine flowing.

Make a list of rewards that carry significance for you. I write my posts here in three phases on different days so it doesn’t feel too overwhelming

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research on Monday, outline on Wednesday, fill in and publish on Friday.

With each phase, I allow myself a little reward, such as reading a chapter of a book, reading others’ blog posts, interacting on social media,

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petting my sweet, affectionate kitty Pip, going for a walk, getting Thai snow at our favorite local cafe with my kids, or even taking a much-needed nap.

What makes you happy?

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Self-care is an important aspect of any writer’s life, and I don’t mean expensive spa days. Little things that make you happy, like those I mentioned above, are important brain breaks that bring me joy. If organizing a closet brings you joy, do that #YouDoYou

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· Read as a reward. And to make yourself a better writer. Reading is one of the first things many busy writers claim they don’t have time to do, however, it’s one of the most important strategies to becoming a savvier writer.

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Multiple studies show that not only does reading stimulate our brains in ways other activities do not, it also opens up our creativity pathways. (Source: Lifehack)

Be willing to write really badly. It won’t hurt you to do that.
~ Jennifer Egan

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· Go the opposite route and put yourself on the line. Meaning what exactly? Science shows we’re often more motivated by losses than gains, aka, loss aversion.

So, you could challenge yourself to meet a writing goal

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& if you don’t meet it, you’ll be required to do something you really don’t want to do, e.g., organize that closet, run a 5k, or support a charity that goes against your personal values

Ready to commit? Check out http://stickk.com , a commitment platform #BookMarketingChat

designed by behaviorists to help you reach your goals, whatever they may be.

Read here: The complete guide to writing accountability - hold yourself to account and use others to help you achieve your writing goals via @beprolifiko https://buff.ly/2BzcGrw

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The complete guide to writing accountability - hold yourself to account and use others to help you...

Find out what writing accountability is and why it matters. Get inspired and find the most effective way to keep accountable to your writing goals.

https://buff.ly/2BzcGrw

I’m more of a rewards fan myself. Social science researcher BJ Fogg, the founder and director of the Stanford Behavior Design Lab, says: “People change best by feeling good, not by feeling bad.”

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5) Always Be Writing

Many new writers believe they have to write that ‘Great American Novel’ or their writing won’t “count.” Many won’t even start writing until they have figured out their entire outline for their seven-book series,

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which can hold up the actual writing itself. For years.

I felt the same way at first. I didn’t know what I wanted to write, so I didn’t, for years. Did I want to write fiction or nonfiction? What about poetry?

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I’d written for pay in college, but what about as an adult?
I found my voice blogging, then moved into creative nonfiction and poetry.

I’ve now published two memoir/poetry books, two business books, and two humor books;

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I have two more books coming out this year as well.

Throughout this past decade, I’ve blogged and written articles for various publications.

It’s all writing.

Writing is writing. If you’re writing in your journal, it counts.

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If you’re writing this week’s blog post, it counts. If you’re scribbling poetry onto a napkin, it counts.

Give yourself a freakin' break, especially right now.

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Organizing your writing in a way that allows you to publish takes more skill, yet you can do it. I know you have it in you.

· Have at least two notebooks dedicated to writing.

One just for ideas and lists; the other for your actual writing,

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whether that’s freewriting, morning pages (three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness writing,
done first thing in the morning, created by Julia Cameron), or your WIP.

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Make an appointment with yourself to write. Create a writing or blogging calendar (I use Google Calendar; it’s free & has all kinds of easy features).

Put it in your planner. Take this shit seriously if you intend to make this writing gig pay at some point

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Treat it as the business it is.

· Join a writing group or connect with an accountability partner. The article I shared earlier from @beprolifiko has links to find a writing accountability partner

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6) Let Go Of Perfectionism and Just Write

Just write. No self-editing. No worrying if your writing is good enough. No fretting about a teacher or parent standing over your shoulder saying, “You can’t write that!”
You are an adult, so write like one.

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Stop worrying about what Aunt Edna might say. Write that sex scene. Use those curse words, dammit. Share your trauma (if you’re ready).

Not everything we write must be high art or perfection. Stop expecting it to be.

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As any photographer will tell you, out of every 1,000 photos, maybe one is usable; out of every 10,000, maybe one is perfection (and even then, they’ll find a flaw). But there’s nothing to work with if you don’t start.

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Open yourself up to creativity in your writing. Allow yourself the freedom you don’t have anywhere else.

Conquer your fears and just start already. Look at art, listen to music, and READ for inspiration. Words are beautiful, lyrical beings.

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As Anne Lamott says, “If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.”

Boom.

The goal of this particular chat is to help you glean more out of your writing time

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so at some point, you can write every day and make it a part of your daily life — whether that’s as an author or blogger.

What strategies do you use to be a productive writer?

Please share.

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1001 reason writers MUST read:

If You Didn't Love Reading Before You See This, You'll Love It After https://buff.ly/3ilXJv8 via @lifehacker

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If You Didn't Love Reading Before You See This, You'll Love It After

Reading is not only fun, it can improve your life. From better memory to less stress, there are lots of great reasons to read.

https://buff.ly/3ilXJv8

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