Three Tips to Maximize Your Precious Writing Time

It's no secret that finding time to write is a challenge. As adults we have so many responsibilities pulling us away from our waiting manuscripts: caretaking, childcare, work, and our mental health to name a few. If that wasn't bad enough, when we do carve out time with our writerly selves, we often find our gazes wandering from that open document.

So, what do we do? Do we have to knuckle down and put our iron wills to the test? Well, that's certainly one approach, but in this blog post, I'll offer tips and tricks to help you bring more focus to your next writing session.

Put Away Your Phone and Get Back to Your Novel

Have you ever sat down to write, picked out your drink of choice, and realized ten minutes in that you've done nothing but stare at your phone?

If you’re struggling with writer’s block this NaNoWriMo, you might be distracted.

You're not alone. Many studies indicate that the biggest obstacle to our focus is also one of our most prized possessions. But if you're struggling with writer's block or finding inertia, what are you supposed to do?

Conventional wisdom might suggest just setting it aside, but some researchers insist on a stricter approach. According to research from the University of Toronto, having your phone within arms reach can severely impact writing focus.

While not explicitly about creative writing, their investigations indicated the negative effects diminished when the phones of subjects were out of sight.

One of the theories for why this happens is simple. When we are presented with the option to give in to a temptation (like checking for a message or like on our latest Reel), we divert some of our attention to denying that urge. In other words, our phones are like an open window on our computers. So long as that window seems like it should be accessible, your computer will continue to divert resources to making sure it’s easily accessed.

But what if putting your phone away for a couple hours while you tap out that 50,000 word novel isn't an option? Here are a few ways you can limit the impact of your phone:

1. Install a Focus App

In most app stores, you can find apps that limit your access to certain features-These apps can disable notifications, block access to certain tools, and stop incoming calls. A few apps to check out are:

·         Freedom (iOS & Android): This tool helps writers stay focused by blocking out distracting apps and disruptive notifications. Users can adjust internal settings and timers to determine which notifications can come through and the duration of restrictions. With this app, you can set your phone aside and allow access only to the resources and tools you need to finish your NaNoWriMo novel. They have a free version, with premium costing $2/month.

·         Dewo (iOS & Android): This AI-assisted solution tracks your web and desktop activity to determine when and how to manage the notifications on your mobile device. If the idea of navigating the settings of a new application does not sound like an enjoyable time or might serve as a way to procrastinate on your NaNoWriMo work in progress, give this a try. Keep in mind it will take time for Dewo to adjust to your specific needs. They offer a free version.

If you notice yourself glancing at notifications instead of writing that blog post, try putting your phone in the other room.

iPhone users can also find use in Focus Modes. Regardless of which tool you use, make sure it works with your process. If you need to do research online as part of your process, for example, choose settings that enable you to access what you need and nothing more.

2. Put Your Phone on “Time Out” While You Write

Spoiler alert! Timers are a surprisingly effective resource to help writers stay focused. If the idea of having your phone’s functionality limited brings up anxiety for you or you're not somewhere you can easily stow your black mirror away, put it in time out. Having complete agency over your phone and knowing you can resume normal activities once the timer goes off can quiet the modern anxiety of being “out of the loop."

3. Silence Your Phone

Perhaps you’re a parent or have a job where your phone being available is non-negotiable or maybe knowing you “shouldn’t” be using your phone is just as distracting having it in the first place. Whatever your reason, silencing your phone might give you the peace of mind to focus on your NaNoWriMo novel in progress.

When I say silent, I mean silent! Don't let an errant buzz or that friend who sends fleets of messages when a long message would do just fine – it's me, I'm that friend – break you out of your creative practice.

Whatever resource you choose to employ, make sure it serves your process rather than inhibiting it. While phones can be an obstacle for creativity for some, they can be an enabler for others. As with all the suggestions in this article, experiment with what works best for you and your writing practice, so you can achieve your writing goals whether it's NaNoWriMo or a weekend writing session.

Stay Focused on Your Writing with Help from Your Support Network

Unless you are one of the few writers who works with a co-writer, the act of writing is often a lonely one. For some lucky writers, rousing the willpower to return to that Word (or Scrivener or Notes or Obsidian) document is easy, but for many of us, it can be difficult to continue working when it could be months or even years before another person gets to lay their eyes on our writing.
This lack of motivation can stymie writers especially in a month like NaNoWriMo. Fortunately, there are people you can turn to for additional support in your writing practice.

1. Cohabitants

The people you live with, whether that’s partners, family members, or friends, are a team who can help you stay focused when you sit down to write. That can take the form of setting clear boundaries on your writing time. If you can find a dedicated space to write that doesn’t unreasonably impact the other members of your household, you could, for example, request that you not be interrupted.

Unfortunately, this option is less accessible for parents of younger children and those with more limited space. In those cases, you can have the people who share your home be your “accountabilibuddies.” An accountabilibuddy, as the name suggests, is someone who helps keep you on track with your goals. This life hack is effective for staying focused on writing and many other tasks. Knowing someone you care about is going to check in on your progress can be the kick in the butt some of us need to push through writers block and get words on the page.

Build or find a writing community to stay on track with your daily wordcount.

2. Other Writers

While the people we care about can be fantastic supports, sometimes we need someone who shares our passion for the written word. Libraries and bookstores often host NaNoWriMo events in November to help local writers hit their word-count goals, and the NaNoWriMo organization also holds writing events.

These events aren’t limited to November, however. If you need help finding likeminded writers to keep you on track, check out the bulletin boards of your local libraries, cafes, and bookstores. All it takes is one new acquaintance to keep you consistent with your writing practice. Plus, if you’re a writer who works better with other people, you can meet for coffee and put your pens to paper.

Timers: A Writer’s Secret Weapon

If you’ve been in a writing class before, you’ve probably received a writing prompt at the beginning of class to get everyone warmed up and in the creative zone. While some of these prompts can be hit or miss, many writers find a lot of success in these environments.

That is partially due to the community aspect of these exercises, but another critical feature of these prompts is timers. Even if you take a few minutes to gather your thoughts, the pressure of a timer means that you need to have something down by the end of the session. This often helps writers push through obstacles like perfectionism.

Some writers start all their writing sessions with timed prompts like this to shake off the creative cobwebs. Think of these short stints as pre-workout stretches to get your mind ready for the real writerly workout.

Use a writing timer to keep you focused and on task with your creative practice.

Using the Pomodoro Technique for Writing

If you type timers and productivity into a search engine, one of the first things to come up is the Pomodoro Technique. The Pomodoro Technique, created by Francesco Cirillo, emphasizes breaking your work into periods of intentional focus and breaks.

The method – which earned its name from the Italian word for “tomato,” after the tomato-shaped timer Cirillo used to time himself – splits work sessions into 25-minute intervals. During these periods, writers focus on one task at a time (such as editing or drafting new content), and after each pomodoro, they should take a five-minute break. After four pomodoros, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.

Here are a few tips to maximize the benefits of the Pomodoro Technique on your writing practice:

·         Stick to One Task: This limitation ensures you hit a state of flow and don’t spend valuable time transitioning between tasks. This can also serve as a balm to perfectionists. If you can tell yourself that the next pomodoro is going to be an editing session, it can free our minds to create with abandon.

·         Find a Duration that Works for You: Pomodoro Technique purists might balk at the idea of adjusting the duration, but if 25 minutes feels too long shorten it by five minutes. Alternatively, if you feel like it takes you a little longer to start writing your novel, add five minutes to your timer. That said, we suggest leaning into discomfort when you’re starting out. Sometimes undoing our counter-productive writing habits will be uncomfortable.

·         Use Your Breaks Effectively: The breaks between pomodoros are just as important as the sessions of sustained writing focus. Use your breaks to step away from your desk or give your fur baby some extra scratches. Just make sure that when that five-minute timer gets down to zero you don’t leave your work in progress hanging.

Looking for Extra Guidance on Your Writing Practice?

At Work Done Write, we understand that every writer's path is unique, and that's why I offer professional consultation services to help you find a creative practice that works for you. With experience as a professional ghostwriter, editor, and writing mentor, I'm here to put my expertise to use for you. If you're ready to take your writing journey to the next level, contact Work Done Write today. Let's unlock your full writing potential together and make your literary dreams a reality. Happy writing, and may your NaNoWriMo be a resounding success!