Write Better (or Faster) With These Recommendations

24 June 2021

Most people would consider writing to be a simple job. You get to work remotely, you get to set your hours and tasks, and you get to do what you adore. The truth, however, is considerably different. Yes, you get to write wearing anything like PJs, sip anything and everything anytime, and relax with pets on our laps, but writers also waste hours online researching. They procrastinate, have writer's block, become frustrated, and, as deadlines lurk, go into full-on, nonstop writing frenzy for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We all enjoy being lazy sometimes, and that's completely OK as long as it's done in control. But, because some of us are less conscientious than others, our lazy time bleeds over our everyday commitments. Writers, for example, are known for being unproductive and susceptible to delay, as seen by how they are portrayed in the media.

Our desire to conduct a study and write sometimes gets in the way of our ability to work efficiently. And, because we sometimes consider our skill as an expression of ourselves, we may delay performing the work to avoid being judged. Many authors could benefit from assistance in structuring their time and enhancing their creative abilities.

If you feel like you're always in a rut, here are some pointers to start you rolling and keep you going.

Have goals

Making a conscious decision to write more is terrific, but it only exists in principle since it's so adaptable. A wiser, better tactic would be to create a minimum daily word count and stick to it. You might also work for a set number of hours, especially if you have a big assignment ahead of you or work on a book. The prospect of undertaking an enormous task can be intimidating. Still, if you divide it into smaller quantities and write a little bit every day, you will be pleased with what you've already accomplished at the end of each month. Make sure your objective is achievable.

Jot them down

You're undoubtedly aware that great ideas are harder and harder to come by. You may do some real thinking, collect and structure your ideas, and then condense them down to concepts you can use. Write down thoughts that come to you at the most unexpected occasions and settings. If you're a writer, nothing beats a little pad or notebook for jotting down ideas. Get something small that you can take with you. If you don't like taking notes by hand, consider jotting them into your phone's note-taking software. Even if you don't need them right away, having some on hand is a good idea. 

Eliminate anything non-essential

This should not imply that writing will be the only thing on your mind, but you may take the time for it if you eliminate some of the various things that may not appear to be time-consuming but add up to a reasonable amount of time. It may not be every day that you have a deadline, but you must complete work and do whatever you can to concentrate on it.

Speaking of concentrate, it is critical to minimize distractions as well. This is incredibly challenging if you live with other people and have to share spaces with them. Anything from areas around the home, sights, sounds, or smells can be very distracting. See if you can set a time when you can work best that's not the same as everyone else's to move around you. Suppose you are the type to have your workspace, whether a corner or room, find time to reduce clutter and organize. Speaking of workspace...

Give yourself a writing workspace.

Set up a workspace in your home where you can focus exclusively on writing, with no interruptions that could hamper your efforts, if at all possible. Keep your workstation clear of clutter and stocked with materials that will stimulate you. Ensure that it is not your kitchen or dining area or any other high-traffic space, especially if you live with family or other people. If you would like to have more energy and be attentive and productive, consider standing while writing, just like Ernest Hemingway and Virginia Woolf did during their times. Standing desks will be your assistants in this area. Too much sitting has widely been known to wreak havoc to overall health, while you can also do standing in moderation to ensure that you reap the benefits of this innovative equipment.

If you wouldn't want to trade up your existing desk, or if you don't have enough space for another piece of equipment, there are products available that will transform your current desk to a standing workstation called desk risers or standing desk converters. If you're looking for a motorized desk that allows you to switch from sitting to standing at the push of a button, sit-stand desks or height-adjustable standing desks are the best fit for you. Check FlexiSpot out, as they have both variants!

Write whenever most conducive.

You're a writer because you don't like rituals and constraints, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't have any structure and guidance in your work. Another approach to increase your productivity as a writer is to start writing at the same time each day. It will be difficult at first as you must fight the temptation to give yourself a break only once, which gradually explodes into full-fledged laziness. Discover which periods of the day you are best able to fulfill your objectives. Some writers can write whenever they choose. Others prefer the typical daytime hours, while others are most creative at night.

Edit

There are numerous reasons whether you should defer editing your work. If you're in that zone when you're spewing out ideas and words so quickly that your fingers can't even keep up with your brain, you should squeeze it for everything it's worth. Disrupting that flow to edit is a major error because editing can be done even if you don't feel very creative.

It's also an excellent idea to put some distance between yourself and your writing so you can return to it and revise it with a new perspective. You'll discover that, as long as you don't have a deadline hovering over your head, you'll be able to notice problems more quickly and refine your content the next day.

Final Thought

Writing is the same as multitasking but is very rewarding in terms of the freedoms you get to enjoy with your creativity and style, putting them into writing. Writing is a discipline, in my opinion. Stop whining about not having time to write. Or not being in the zone. Turn yourself into a writing machine in no time combining your skills, these strategies, and some inspiration and order. You can be unstoppable.