Get focused to write better + slay your word count

by | Jun 25, 2014 | creativity, tools | 6 comments

Stack of BooksI’m wading through the wordy seas at the moment. Wonderful clients are writing up a storm, we’re checking in regularly, and some editing requests that I just couldn’t refuse because the books are interesting and fun are competing for my attention too. Not much time for reflection, especially since I’ve also embarked on a personal writing project that’s been in the works for a looooong time.

And while I’ve been keeping head above water word-wise, getting 500 words a day down on my personal project, keeping tabs on clients’ progress and editing three separate 30,000 word manuscripts, I’ve remembered exactly what it takes to get writing done.

Focus.

I’m the original Shiny Object Syndrome sufferer.

I like surfing the internet and reading blogs as much as the next person.

I enjoy Facebook, and like emailing friends. I love Skype to chat to my overseas friends.

But.

But, but, but.

Spending a day doing those things gets me a vague sense of wastage and eyestrain, with creaky muscles from sitting at my desk too long as well.

And I don’t like that feeling.

Don’t get me wrong, I always get client work done and out the door. And it is generally good – if I say so myself.

I just never really had time for my own projects left over. And that sucked the big one.

What changed?

Nothing, really. And everything. (Boring answer, huh? But it’s true.)

What I found was that one day the balance shifted. It went from ‘oh, my project will get done one day, I know it will,’ to, ‘my project has to get done – yesterday if possible!’ and just like that the scales tipped and I went from a sometimes writer to being an every day writer, getting work done rather than playing around online, making time for my own project on the side, and turning down social commitments because I’m committed to my book.

How can you do this for yoursef?

Weight the scales.

Look at your life, and what you want to get done.

If you want to write a book, then you’ll have to make time. It’s as simple and as complicated as that.

And when you really want it, with a certainty that is not negotiable, then it really is simple. You write. And that slays your word count.

Because 500 words every day adds up. By the time I publish this and get it to you, I’ll probably be another 1500 words up again from where I am now. (I leave blog posts for a few days before I post them. You know, in case I’ve offended my mother or something. *Hi mum!*)

That doesn’t mean that they’re good words, or that I don’t feel like I’m trying to swim in ski clothes while I’m writing. Writing a first draft is an awkward, ungainly business that only sings sometimes. But getting it out is more important than what it looks and feels like. Getting it out is the goal.

…And you want to know the other thing that’s made a huge difference? Competition.

Himself is running scared now! 😉

(For the Himself saga instalments, go here first, then here.)

And tell me, because I want to know: how do you weight the scales?

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6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Sophia Lovett

    Isn’t it amazing how everything changes once you make a clear decision? I keep experiencing this over and over again myself!

    You go, girl!

    • tamara

      Oh yeah! It’s like knowing for certain what you want on a menu. There is just no question! 🙂

  2. Phyllis Nichols

    I can relate to your experience – client work always gets done and because I preach it so much, so does my IPA stuff (usually) but my writing, creating – the book and podcast I’ve been planning for ages? Not so much. Great reminder that it really is about intention.

    • tamara

      Oh yes. The further I get into this work, the more I realise that it’s about getting more and more and more clear about exactly what you want to do. Developing laser focus is a skill to work at!

  3. Leanne Chesser (@LeanneChesser)

    I don’t usually have trouble with the regular writing (like blog posts) but this really resonated with me about bigger projects: “If you want to write a book, then you’ll have to make time. It’s as simple and as complicated as that.” That’s really quite a profound statement.

  4. tamara

    Hey Leanne! You know, as I typed that sentence, it really resonated with a deep, deep feeling. (I thought it was just me being dramatic) But it’s true. It’s the simplest thing in the world – effortless once you’ve made the gargantuan effort of getting there. It’s all about the decision, and what we put in the way of that.

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