Whether you’re writing a novel, a magazine article or a blog post, getting and staying focused can be a tough task.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot these last two days when I suddenly realised that Camp NoNaWriMo is almost over and I forgot about it completely. This means I now have ten days to do thirty-one days of writing to hit my goal.
I will need to get wholly focused and push through because I will hit my goal if it kills me.
Here are five ways to get yourself focused as a writer:
Ask Yourself Why You’re Doing It
Are you writing to make money, raise awareness or just as a creative outlet? Whatever the answer to this question is, this is your motivator for writing. Think of your objectives whenever you feel like writing is becoming a chore. This reminder of why you’re writing in the first place will help you get back on track.
Visualise Your End Goal
When it gets to the point that you’re mid-project, you can sometimes feel like it’s all pointless. Visualise what finishing this will achieve. Money? World domination? A sense of satisfaction? Imagine how you will feel when your visualisation becomes a reality for a renewed sense of focus.
Make (and Follow) a Schedule
Set aside time every day for writing, no matter how small an amount of time you can dedicate to it each day. Make sure you actually do it. After a few days, your brain will associate this time with getting into the writing mind set, making it much easier to focus.
Remove Distractions
Don’t open any social media or other internet tabs except any you need for genuine research purposes. Leave your mobile phone in another room. Tell the people you live with that this is your “do not disturb” time. It is so hard to focus on your writing properly when you have a hundred other things wanting your attention at the same time.
Just Do It
There will be times where no amount of visualising, peace and quiet and brain training will make you be in the mood to write.
Should you walk away? No.
The harsh reality is you have to suck it up buttercup. Force yourself to write.
The things we want to achieve aren’t easy, and sometimes, you will have to accept that you have to do things you aren’t really in the mood for. And if you’re serious about writing, then you have to just push through the whiney “I don’t want to” feeling and just damned do it.
Do you have any tips to add? How do you stay focused on your writing? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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Good luck with your NaNo catch-up effort! You can do it!
One of my motivations to write is to see a resolution for my characters. It would be awful to leave them hanging! I nominated you for the Liebster award. You can check the details at my blog.
I did! Although I did end up changing the project somewhat lol. Thank you – I’ll take a look
I just spent this past week designing and printing out my very first blog planner. I want to write a post about it and maybe give free printables for it. I have to look into how to do that first though, lol. I also remove all distractions and I find that a certain time of day works best for me as far as inspiration and motivation.Early mornings are my go-to time because it’s quiet and I can have my coffee with my writing:)
Oh I love my blog planner – it’s nothing flash just on Excel but it really helps me stay focused
I need to remember to remove distractions. #BloggerClubUK
“suck it up buttercup” love it!! What if you live in a mental asylum and there’s never quiet time, do you think its possible with a snot eating toddler climbing on your back? I need hope…. #bloggerclubuk
Haha YES! There’s always hope – I mean eventually the toddler will be eighteen right!
I think this is great advice for all sorts of dreams! #BloggerClubUK
This is great advice, especially about removing distractions! #bloggerclubuk
Guilty as charged re the opening of social media tabs whilst supposed to writing!!! And haha at the world domination bit! Some great advice here Debbie; it’s fantastic for me being such an amateur to be able to get tips like this from a pro! #BloggerClubUK
Me too – it’s sometimes more distracting to me to have FOMO haha. I hope the tips help 🙂
My motivation is so I can see my blog as a success and I guess only I can decide when that is so it’s like an opened ended goal that seems to keep me going. #bloggerclubuk
That’s a really good motivator because as you say you can always push for more which keeps the goal relevant
Hi, great tips sticking to a schedule never works for me despite trying. I have to be in zone #bloggerclubuk
The schedule gets me in the zone, but we’re all different and you should do whatever works for you 🙂
This is great advice, Debbie! Just do it is the best of all – having the mindset that it will get done, will properly get it done! Making a schedule is also a great one, I use a lot of these for my blog. Although sometimes the best thing is some time off lol x
I’d be lost without a schedule! Yes, time off is sometimes a good thing too x
For me I find writing in the car while hubby is driving or just before bed when there’s little to no distractions a great time to write. Then of course there is that time when inspiration strikes and you have to do something before it disappears.
Good luck with your writing challenge. #bloggerclubuk.
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one that sometimes gets hit with an idea and drops everything to note it down!
Great tips and advice for anyone who needs to have more focus. Especially me!! #BloggerClubUk
I am completely lost without a schedule and find it so easy to become overwhelmed by it all. I struggle with focus as the only time I can write is in the evenings once the boys are in bed so I am always tried. Although I am trying to force myself otherwise I will never be clear for holiday! x
I’d be lost without a schedule too! It can be hard though, especially when you work and have children too but hopefully knowing you have a holiday to look forward to will help 🙂 x
Thinking is good but it’s action that gets results
Totally agree 🙂