
I spent seven days working on my writing process. My goal was to let go of word counts for a week and delve into creativity and flow. Instead of writing sprints, I aimed for ninety-minute sessions “in the zone.”
First I had to figure out how to get that creativity and flow going.
Duh: Do more of those things that help me get into the zone, and less of those things that don’t.
To get into the zone, I did less of:
- TV
- Junk food
- Keeping my cell phone nearby (thus using energy to ignore the shiny object, ignore the shiny object, ignore the shiny object)
- National news outlets (depressing, aggravating)
- Surfing the Internet
- Late night munching
- Multiplexing
- Multitasking
- Cleaning too much (yes, there is such a thing)
- Lazing too long on the sofa and getting stiff
- Unproductive, busy work
- Caffeinated tea or coffee after 3pm
- Perfectionism
- Being a hermit
- Writing sprints (I know, I know, but . . . )
- Staying up too late
And I did more of:
- Adequate sleep
- Keeping my work area(s) decluttered
- Meditation
- Ignoring word counts, not even looking at words produced until the end of the week
- Healthy food
- Journaling
- Love n kisses<3
- Socializing
- Indulging in earned rewards
- Staying warm so I wouldn’t be distracted by zombie fingers
- Giving back
- Doggy love
- Prayer
- Studying the craft of writing
- Spending time in front of my envision board
- Binaural beats
- Attending my writing group
- Keeping writing-process activities front and center of attention by posting them on my white board (instead of posting the usual word count or editing goals)
- Writing in areas conducive to long, focused work
- Keeping alerts off my computer
- Keeping my phone silenced and out of sight in another room
- Checking my posture in my chair (slouching just makes me achy and want to leave my desk)
- Going to bed on time
- Stretching or foam rolling
- Longer writing sessions (60 to 90 minutes)
- Checking my mindset to make sure I’m chill and not in a perfectionist mood
- Mindful eating habits
- Exercise
- Reading for fun
- Getting outside
How’d I do?
Over the week, I spent the same amount of time on writing as usual (20 hours), and 5.5 of those hours were not writing at all but either studying the craft or evaluating work in my writing group.
I gasped when I saw the word count for my process week.
I tallied up the words again. No mistake: I had doubled my output by focusing on the process of writing rather than just turning out words. In 14.5 hours of actual writing, I produced 10,500 words instead of my normal 5,500.
I learned three biggies:
- The library is a great place to write when you’re sleepy. It has good lighting and firm chairs, and library patrons would think you’re odd if you fell asleep, so you try really hard to stay awake!
- The coffee shop is a terrible place to write. The visual distraction is too much with people walking around and the door swinging open and shut. There are also distracting food smells and chatter, plus it’s expensive.
- Yes, it is possible to get into the zone when writing. The work flows, and 90 minutes goes by in a flash. This flow state didn’t happen every time I sat down to write, but most of the time it did when my surroundings and mindset were good.
We’re all unique, so what works for me might not work for the next writer. But if you’re struggling with your word count, and pushing your writing sprints isn’t helping, try focusing on your process instead and see if that helps.
Happy writing!
Thanks for the advice. I’m sure I’d actually GET to my WIP if I could manage a padded room with free chocolates. 🙂
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Hahaha, you made me laugh this morning, Chelsea! Thanks for stopping by.:-)
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Ha,funny you should write this piece. I have a scheduled post for 8:30 tonight discussing what you call The Zone (I Call it the Writing Magic). High five for getting your Zone on this week… that’s a great word count!
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I’m looking forward to reading your post! Thank you for commenting, Jessica!
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Since I discovered my ‘zone’, (first thing in the morning, before the world wakes up) I no longer have a problem with my writing. Now, If I could make this zone last longer, or convince the world to go back to bed…
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I like early morning, but yes, the world and the cats tend to rise and make demands and quash writing time. Thanks for commenting.:-)
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I like what you wrote here, Priscilla. I believe that sufficient sleep and rest is vital for creativity as well as the ability to focus. I don’t get nearly as much writing done when I am worrying about something else and don’t focus fully. When I am not, getting into the writing zone is fairly easy.
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I totally agree! Thank you for commenting, Robbie.:-)
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Enjoyed this piece. Mindfulness has been your friend this week. Good luck with sustaining this helpful model.
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Yes, “mindfulness” is a good way to sum up my week. Thanks for the good luck wish. I’m glad you popped in!
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This is great, Priscilla! Your transparency is refreshing and affirming. Binaural beats – I’ve read about that and talked to people who swear by it – need to check it out form myself.
Keep killing it, kiddo! Be the writer!
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You’re so kind, thank you. The alpha binaural beats help me quiet my mind during meditation, but I don’t have enough experience with any of the other frequencies to say yay or nay about them. Thanks for commenting, Alexander!
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I love that you really focused on things that you know help while avoiding those things you know are a hindrance. I know that the internet and my phone are the things that I need to stay away from when I need to get things done. I think that having a plan is also important. Awesome job!
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The Internet and phone are things we all probably need to stay away from when we want to get things done. So addictive! Thanks for your kind words, and thanks for commenting, Carole!
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The only thing that changes my output is a deadline 🙂
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I hear you. I hope some day to have an external deadline. Then my deadline and my process can work hand-in-hand. Thanks for stopping by, Jane!
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It concentrates the mind wonderfully 🙂 I’ve done NaNoWriMo the last three years. It’s silly really, since I could call any month NaNo month and make myself write 50000 words, but it only seems to work if there is somewhere official to log in figures every day.
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Great tips, Priscilla, and awesome word count! I’m usually pretty good at ignoring all distractions – except for the blog! I’m going to give myself a few “rules” and see how it impacts my writing.
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I think putting distractions out of sight and sound was the biggest help to me, that and being in a good frame of mind. Thanks for visiting, and good luck with your “rules”!
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I always loved studying or writing in the library. I feel like I’m there for a purpose and concentrate just a bit extra. I’m excited to read your first novel! 🙂
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Yeah, I’m going back to the library tomorrow. They even have coffee there! It’s awesome.:-) Thanks for stopping by!
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I admire the fact that you were able to list your distractions and focus so well on what works. Finishing what I start is a big problem for me, and I’m working on it. And. like Jane, I always work better with a deadline. (K)
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If you have trouble finishing what you start, you probably have an expansive imagination with lots of different ideas. I guess the trick is finding the best idea. Thanks so much for commenting.:-)
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Too many ideas. That’s definitely true.
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Awesome word count, Priscilla! And some excellent advice. I’ve tried both coffee shops and library, and if I had to choose, I’d probably pick the library also. I don’t drink coffee, but those tempting treats are distracting.
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Thank you. Ah yes, the cookies and pastries at the coffee shop . . . the library is a smarter choice for sure! I’m glad you stopped by, Ter!
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I need to get into a zone, I get to distracted and before I know it my day is over. 😦
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I hear ya! That’s why I have to remove distractions. Thanks for commenting, and good luck dealing with those distractions!
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Wow! You kicked butt on that word count. Congratulations!
I love the library for writing, too. Sometimes I do okay at my local coffee shop, but often I just do email checks there and then head to the library (if I’m not writing at home). Now I have to get in “the zone” and start writing!
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Thanks re the word count.:-) Good luck on your writing today, and thanks for stopping by, Mae!
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I’m not an aspiring author, but as a reviewer, I sometimes run into writer’s block. A change of scenery always helps me get started again. Hope this process continued to work for you.
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I like the idea of a change of scenery. With summer fast approaching, I’m hoping to get some outdoor writing in. I’m unsure of the bugs and birds, whether they’ll be distracting or not, guess I’ll find out! Thanks for commenting, Alicia!
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Thanks for sharing your process, Priscilla. I think something similar would work for other things aside from writing too!
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Agreed! I think anything that requires concentration needs some aspect of flow in order for a person to be successful. I’m glad you commented.:-)
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Good advice! As you say, it is a very personal process, but finding the right place and getting rid of distractions always helps. Good luck!
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Thanks. I had a very good, 90 minute work “flow” this morning. I’m hoping my next session will be just as good. Thanks for commenting!
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Excellent tips! Thank you for sharing! Hang in there!
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Thanks.:-) I am hanging in there . . . thank you for the encouragement!
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Love you process to get “in the zone.”!
I had to do something similar during this first quarter of the year to stay motivated because the editing process has been tougher than I imagine (so many darlings killed!)
I did some of the things on your list like journaling and studying the craft but even though I knew I needed to do other items on your list, I never got to E.g. Keeping electronics silenced and out of sight
So, I’ll print your post and put it on my board!
Your list will be incredibly helpful in April when I will attempt to finish editing while writing for Camp Nano!
Are you doing Camp Nano?
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You always say the sweetest things.:-)
Am I doing Camp Nano? Um, I dunno. I’ve never done it before. Is it as fun as November’s Nanowrimo?
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They all feel the same to me because I don’t socialize lot but November is probably more fun because it gets more hype and there are more events. I really like the camps because they keep me writing all year. I need the pressure of a deadline 🙂
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I admire your discipline. I still have a ‘proper’ job as well as my writing career, such as it is, so have to write when I have a block of time free, whether I’m in the mood or not.
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“Whether I’m in the mood or not,” now THAT takes discipline, Julia! Admirable. Thanks for commenting.:-)
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Glad to see you have a writer’s group! I administer a Horror and Dark Fantasy APA at https://grmhwapa.wordpress.com if you or fellow writers would like to visit our site. We are small, but as you know that can be a good thing…I look forward to your writerly explorations herein!
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Thanks for the invitation! I’ll pop on over.:-)
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Great tips and a word count to match, Priscilla! 🙂 xo
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Thanks, Bette. I have a lot to learn still about what works best for me, but I’m making progress! I’m glad you popped in.:-)
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Glad I popped in too, Priscilla. 🙂 Have a fabulous week!
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I have a special place in the house that works. It’s the kitchen table near the deck. Kind of goofy but it works.
There is no way I could go to the local coffee shop. Plus, I’m a people person and I know I would start up a conversation with someone sitting by. I swear it happens all the time.
Find that special place and allow the zone to take over.
Love the list you created.
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Yeah, the coffee shop, WHAT was I thinking?! I can totally get into the zone at the kitchen table as long as the TV is off (dining area is open to the living room) and Dear Husband isn’t rattling around cooking something.
Thanks for stopping by, Bryan!
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I couldn’t agree more, Priscilla. Both your lists are great. You’re right, the days I obsess over my word count I don’t get much done. However, on the days that I focus on writing and storyline the time goes by so fast and the resulting word count is fantastic. Great article! 😀 xo
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Thank you for your kind words, and thanks for commenting!
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Great advice Priscilla, but I don’t know how you do balance socializing, myself a sort of hermit, not by choice, but for peace of mind, and creativity, I enjoy socializing, but time wise it’s so demanding, crowds drain my energy, solitude, and silence nurture me, and keep me focus. 🙂
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I hear ya! My socializing is uber-planned so I don’t go overboard. Solitude and silence fuel my writing time. Thanks for commenting!
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