Productivity Tip: I’ve recently gotten into the habit of starting a timer on my computer when I start writing, to make myself more aware of how long I can write WITHOUT being distracted by the urge to check e-mail, Twitter, etc.
So how have you all been doing with your challenges? Any productivity tips to share?
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When it comes to productivity, I usually start out with something in mind, like a memory from childhood, or a topic for an essay, or a scene for my novel. I don’t go by word count but by piece. That usually works for me.
By the way, Debbie, thanks so much for your comment on my Michael Jackson post. I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment.
Dawn
Write or Die!!! http://lab.drwicked.com/writeordie.html
Hi, Debbie! First, I wanted to say that I’ve really been enjoying your comics and your posts. They’ve definitely helped me laugh and think after I’ve spent too long staring at my manuscript, wondering what the heck I’m doing. So, thanks!
Thanks also for the 1000 words/day challenge. I’m giving it a go and finding it tough but possible. I find that I’m most productive when I write very early in the morning (4:30ish) and when I turn off the wireless card on my computer. I’m not allowed to turn it back on until I’ve reached my goal. Okay, so sometimes I break my own rule, but it usually works!
I’ll soon be getting a new desktop that I won’t connect to the internet, and that will be my writing computer. For me, it’s a lot easier to focus when I don’t have the option of clicking over to email or twitter or facebook or you name it. Makes me wonder how many of the writers of the past would have struggled to finish their books if they’d been on facebook!
The last two weeks I’ve stormed the castle with my word counts.
I averaged 4k per day.
But now I’m feeling burnt out. Especially after Independence Day.
Well, here’s to a few days to recoup and then back to writing!
I’m doing better than the last check-in (4 out of 7, instead of 1). I’m looking forward to this week because I finally got out of plain old red-pen reviewing to actually sitting down and acting on all the notes I wrote to myself about the next draft.
I kind of try to do the “ladder of needs” thing before I start a session. I make my tea, use the washroom, and make sure I’ve got every tool I’m going to need at hand so I don’t break once I’m actually working. I also try to do something in parallel (run the washing machine or dishwasher, let bread dough rise) because somehow being smug about multi-tasking helps — maybe just because I don’t have to worry about doing the next thing after I’m done the writing session.
I did well last week. I wrote for four days on my children’s book and one day on a non-fiction piece that was under 500 words, but completed.
I found that the goal is helping me to slip my writing in when I can. If I can only get a couple of good paragraphs written before hell breaks loose somewhere nearby, then at least I’m that much closer to my word goal. Having started, I find that I spend my freee brain-time between then and my next writing stint thinking how I might make the next bit work.
Plus it means I’m trying most days. After all, I think, it’s *only* 500 words. That doesn’t seem to scary, right?
Not doing my 500 at the moment, as I’m trying to get my notes in order. Although I did write 1200 words yesterday on an unrelated project.
I’ve been doing pretty good, but part of that was looong car rides. Finished two short stories and looks like I’ve got a few other writer friend onto the idea too
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I’m doing roughly 1000 words a day but only because I’ve gone back to writing by hand in a notebook – somehow this has always worked best for me. Then when I type it into the laptop (down the road) that will be the second draft.
So far so good, but my hand is getting tired!
I’ve just started my own 1000 words a day challenge, and today is the… well, the second-and-a-half day on it!
)
The internet, email, facebook, blogs (yours included!), etc. have always distracted me, so I also made a rule that I wasn’t allowed to open a browser window until I got the day’s writing done. All I can say is that it worked yesterday and today… we’ll see what happens a week from now