The Productive Writer

writing craft writing process

What are the secrets of the best, most productive writers? These are the 7 habits of the most effective and productive writers:

READ - writers read deep (in their own genre) and wide (to stretch their minds and get ideas)
TIME - own and protect your time to write
TARGETS - aim for macro- and micro goals
RITUALS - meaningful routines that make writing an automatic habit
FOCUS - banish distractions and stay in the groove for extended periods
WRITE - find your own writing superpower
FINISH - daily shut-down, ship (share) finished work

Besides The 7 Habits of Productive Writers, we are also going to discuss The 3 Greatest Obstacles to Writing (and how you smash through them).

Before we start ...
do you want to write fiction faster,
while practicing your craft
and your writing process
to consistently get better?

Check out this link to
the FREE "Write Fiction Faster ... and better"
guide and workbook,
which comes with a FREE companion course
with 23 bite-sized video lessons and 4 worksheets.

The 7 Habits of Productive Writers

READ

Reading is a key habit of productive writers, and it is essential to read both deeply (within your genre) and widely (outside your own genre).

Wait … isn’t this about writing? What does reading have to do with writing?

Productive writing isn't just about writing fast. It’s about also about writing well. And in order to write well, you need to read — deeply and widely.

When you read deeply, you become more immersed in the topics that are within your writing niche, allowing you to better understand them and write more accurately about them. You can also get ideas from reading other people’s work in the same genre, which can help you come up with new and innovative ways of approaching your own writing.

When you read widely outside of your own genre, you are able to stretch your mind and gain exposure to different ideas and perspectives. This can be beneficial for helping you develop fresh ideas for stories or articles, as well as enabling you to see connections between various topics that may not have been apparent before. This helps breed creativity and originality within your work.

Reading deep and wide also helps improve the quality of your written work. When reading other works in the same genre as yours, it provides a good benchmark of what is expected from professional writing standards. Additionally, when reading outside of your own genre, it can expose you to new literary devices or vocabulary that can be used to enhance your own writing style.

Overall, deep reading in your own genre as well as wide reading outside of it can provide valuable insights for improving both the accuracy and quality of your writing. Regularly engaging with both types of reading will help foster a deeper understanding for the topics being written about while encouraging creativity when coming up with fresh ideas for stories or articles.

TIME

Owning and protecting your time to write is a crucial habit for productive writers. You need to make sure that you set aside dedicated blocks of time for writing, and stick to them as much as possible. This allows you to create a regular routine that will help you develop your writing practice.

Block time on your calendar: Take the time to set aside specific times during the week when you can write uninterrupted. It could be an hour in the morning or a few hours on the weekend – whatever works best for you and fits into your schedule. This way, it’s easier to stay consistent with your writing practice and make progress on what you’re working on. If you have an upcoming deadline, block off extra writing time in advance so that it’s easier to stay focused and meet the goal without feeling overwhelmed.
Take breaks: When blocking out writing time, also take care of yourself by scheduling in short breaks throughout the day. Not only does this give you a chance to rest and recharge, but it also helps increase productivity by allowing your ideas to incubate while being away from the task at hand. This has been true for many famous writers like Marcel Proust who worked in short bursts rather than long sessions — he wrote for one hour in the morning, followed by a break, then another hour in the afternoon before taking another break, and finally one last hour before calling it a day.

American author Douglas Adams wrote his bestseller ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy’ while taking frequent breaks outside and going for a walk whenever needed – something that he called his “thinking walks”.

In Cal Newport’s “Deep Work” he tells us that 90 minutes is the upper limit on time to stay intently focused. You should take a 10–15 minute break (or longer) before resuming with another (max 90-minute) deep-work session.

You can also consider taking mini-breaks every 15–20 minutes. I use a 1,000 second timer (that’s 16 minutes and 40 seconds), and when it goes off, I’ll stand up, stretch, do some other minor activity that lasts less than 1 minute, and then get back to work.
Stick to a regular (daily) time block: Once you have determined a realistic amount of time you can dedicate to writing each day or week, try as best as possible to stick to it consistently so that it becomes part of your daily routine. This will help train your brain into always expecting creative tasks at certain times instead of having random spurts of inspiration here and there.

You may want to consider having an accountability partner or accountability group. For me, joining the accountability group "Unchained Writer” has dramatically improved my consistency on sticking with the commitment to write at the same times every day.

TARGETS

Setting macro and micro goals in your writing can be an effective way to stay productive and motivated. Macro goals refer to the larger, overall goal of a project such as completing a novel or writing an article. Micro goals are smaller, more attainable targets such as word counts or chapters/sections/scenes or even just the number of daily 60–90 minute writing sessions you commit to. Having a clear idea of both types of objectives can help keep you focused on the task at hand and make sure that you’re making progress with each session.

Here’s a quote from Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” about the importance of having both macro and micro goals (by the way, a "verst" is a Russian measure of distance, approximately 2/3 of a mile):

A person in motion always devises an aim for that motion. To be able to go a thousand versts he must imagine that something good awaits him at the end of those thousand versts. One must have the prospect of a promised land to have the strength to move.

The promised land for the French during their advance had been Moscow, during their retreat it was their native land. But that native land was too far off, and for a man going a thousand versts it is absolutely necessary to set aside his final goal and to say to himself: ‘Today I shall get to a place forty versts off where I shall rest and spend the night’, and during the first day’s journey that resting-place eclipses his ultimate goal and attracts all his hopes and desires.

When setting macro goals, it’s important to break them down into milestones that are achievable within a certain amount of time. For example, if you’re writing a novel, aim for completing one chapter every week or two, instead of trying to finish the entire book all at once. This helps prevent burnout while giving yourself realistic objectives that will lead you closer to your desired result.

For micro goals, try tracking your daily word count or target different sections/chapters/scenes per day or week depending on what works best for you and fits into your schedule or track the number of 60–90 minute writing sessions and commit to a certain number for the day or the week. By assigning measurable tasks, it helps give clarity on what needs to be accomplished in order for the larger goal to be achieved on time. This was something author Stephen King did when he wrote his first novel in 1974 — he set himself the target of writing 2,000 words per day until he finished the book which ended up becoming ‘Carrie’ that made him famous today.

Personally, I’m a fan of the “writing sessions” target. This is because “word count” is more meaningful when you’re writing your first draft, and so much of the work is done in editing, where the number of words generated during a session could (and often should) be a negative number. If your measure is “adding more words”, then cutting words in an editing session wouldn’t feel like progress. But cutting words, so as to make your writing razor sharp, is exactly what you should aim for in the editing step of the process.

RITUALS

Developing meaningful writing rituals can help make writing an automatic habit, allowing you to produce words without having to overthink or agonize over the process. This is something many famous writers have done in order to remain productive during their writing sessions.

For instance, Ernest Hemingway often wrote standing up using a manual typewriter so that he could be closer to his work, while Virginia Woolf wrote in bed for two hours every morning before starting her day. J.K Rowling would often write in coffee shops, and Leo Tolstoy would read his written work aloud in order to identify any inconsistencies or errors that might be present in the text.

You too can create writing rituals that will help make the process easier and more enjoyable. Maybe you like getting up early and taking a stroll through a park before sitting down to write. Or maybe you prefer sipping on a hot cup of tea as you type away at your computer. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that speaks to your individual needs and helps settle your mind for creative tasks ahead.

Another important aspect of forming successful writing habits is staying organized with your thoughts and ideas. Make sure there’s always an appropriate workspace that allows you think and jot down notes without distractions or temptations from outside sources like phones or TV screens. Having everything laid out clearly will also help you stay focused and motivated when faced with challenging tasks like completing manuscripts or revising drafts — both of which are necessary steps for successful writers.

FOCUS

When it comes to writing, focus is key. It’s essential that you stay in the groove and work on your projects for extended periods of time. One popular technique is the Pomodoro method which involves setting a timer for 25 minutes and working on one task until that timer runs out. This can help encourage more productivity during each session as well as provide much-needed breaks in between so that you don’t get burnt out or lose interest.

Another great way to increase focus and concentration is by listening to music specifically designed to enhance productivity like brain.fm. These soundtracks are tailored to suit various activities like writing, coding, studying and more and will help keep your mind from wandering off-task.

Once you’ve established your writing rituals and made a commitment to focus on your writing tasks, the next step is to find a way to stay accountable. This could come in the form of an accountability group such as the website "Unchained Writer” which gives writers a place to connect with others, set goals and track progress. You can use this platform to chat with other writers about topics such as time management, productivity tips and general advice for aspiring authors. Having an accountability buddy (or group) who understands your struggles and successes can be incredibly beneficial in helping you stay motivated when times get tough — and make sure you’re celebrating all of your accomplishments along the way.

Additionally, if you’re looking for more traditional methods of staying accountable, then try joining a local writing group or hiring an editor who will help keep you on track. Having someone check-in on your progress periodically can be extremely helpful in making sure that all of your hard work is paying off and that you’re reaching all of your goals in a timely manner.

Famous writers have also come up with their own strategies for staying focused while writing. For example, Nobel Prize laureate Toni Morrison used to write her books by hand because she found that it helped keep her immersed in the material without any distractions getting in the way of her creative process.

WRITE

All of the habits above will do you no good if you don’t actually … write!

When it comes to actually writing, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone has their own writing superpower — something that works best for them and makes the process of creating content easier and more enjoyable.

One popular method is freewriting which involves writing continuously without worrying about editing or mistakes being made. This can help you move past writer’s block and get creative juices flowing as you give your imagination free reign to explore any topic of your choosing.
Outlining also helps with organizing thoughts and ideas into a cohesive structure before actually starting to write. This could involve making a simple list of topics that need to be discussed in the paper or creating an elaborate map of your novel or short story, such. as the FictionMAP narrative structure. By having an outline, you’ll have greater clarity while wiriting and won’t risk getting stuck during difficult sections.
Batching is another technique used by many productive writers that involves splitting up work into sections for easier management. For example, if you’re writing a book, try breaking down each chapter into smaller pieces so that it can be completed faster without feeling overwhelmed by the entire project. This way, you’ll have tangible results after each task accomplished and can feel motivated to keep going until its completion.
Dictation is also becoming increasingly popular among writers who prefer speaking instead of typing out words on a computer screen. There are various software programs available today that allow users to record their thoughts and ideas as they come naturally while still retaining accurate results afterwards. My favorite is Otter.ai. Famous authors such as Eudora Welty used to take dictation with her husband every day in order to capture some of her most beautiful passages quickly and easily.
Finally, creating an efficient writing workflow is always helpful when striving for productivity with writing projects. This could include setting specific deadlines for yourself or utilizing task lists so that you don’t fall behind schedule while working on multiple projects at once. Many famous novelists such as Stephen King adopted this process early in their careers and highly recommend it for anyone looking to make progress with their written work over a sustained period of time. Consider the R/OUTINE(S) writing workflow, with distinct steps (research, outline, ugly first draft, table read, improve, nap, end-to-end-edit). You may want to include batching (as described above) in your writing workflow. For example, you may take a batch of 3 chapters in your novel through each of the steps in your writing workflow. By batching up like work tasks, you can increase productivity. In this example, you would do your research and outline for the 3 chapters, then write the “ugly first draft” for each of the 3 chapters (one after the other without editing), then edit each of the 3 chapters, then loop back and do the batch of your next 3 chapters, and so on, leapfrogging your way through your novel in batches of 3 chapters at a time.

FINISH

Productive writers finish their writing.

In the same way we discussed in the "Targets" section, it's helpful to think about “finishing” at a “macro” and “micro” level.

At the micro level, a daily shut-down routine is very beneficial when tackling large projects — this could include taking a few moments at the end of each day to reflect on your progress and think about any changes that need to be made for the next session. Making sure that you have completed all tasks required for the day can also help with motivation over time and ensure better results in the long run. It also lets you give yourself the mental high-five that you did, in fact, finish your daily commitment to writing. Step-by-step is how you get there.

At the macro level, there’s ultimately finishing a longer writing project, such as your novel. That can seem daunting. Consider three techniques in order to build up a steady stream of finished work:

Chapters - consider the chapters of your novel as individual pieces of finished work. It helps if you use the batching and writing workflow concepts we discussed above. Instead of driving through the whole novel in “ugly first draft” mode, consider taking those batches of 3 chapters through the whole writing workflow to a finished state, drafting, then editing. In this way, when it comes time to edit the whole novel end-to-end, you already have a very good “finished” product.
Short Fiction - I know, you’re writing your novel, so who has time for short fiction. Getting through those 50,000 - 100,000 words of a novel can be grueling and feel like it’s never-ending. You run the risk of wearing out your passion for writing. You also miss out on the opportunity to get in your “reps” of deliberate practice, telling whole stories. So, consider breaking up your novel-writing, adding in the occasional short fiction, even ultra-short “flash fiction”.
Non-Fiction - Even if fiction is your one and only passion as a writer, consider writing non-fiction on other topics of interest. Non-fiction hones your ability to do research, organizing your thoughts, and writing clearly.

Once your project is complete, make sure to share it with others! Publishing finished works or even just talking about them can be great ways of promoting yourself and your skills while giving back to readers who may need your expertise and advice. You never know who might come across your words and get inspired – so try not to be shy when it comes time to share what you’ve created!

Famous authors such as JRR Tolkien used these tactics in order to remain productive while writing his fantasy novels - he would set daily word counts for himself and stick closely to these limits before finishing up his work each evening. By doing so, he was able to maintain focus on the overall story arc while still making steady progress over multiple years until finishing The Lord of The Rings series in 1954.

By following steps like these, you too can become a productive writer who reaches their goals with ease - just remember that consistency is key. Take some time every day to write without distraction or interruption, use techniques like freewriting, outlining, batching, keep track of progress with achievable targets, have an efficient shut-down routine, and don’t forget sharing your finished works with others.

The 3 Greatest Obstacles to Writing

These are the 3 greatest obstacles to writing:

I don’t have time
I’m too … (old, young etc.)
No-one will want to read what I write

Let’s take a look at each of these obstacles and how to blast through them.

I DON’T HAVE TIME

One of the most common obstacles to writing is having a lack of time. Whether you have a busy day job or are struggling to manage other responsibilities, it can be difficult to make time for your writing projects. Many famous writers have encountered this issue and found their own ways to overcome it.

For instance, Ernest Hemingway famously wrote “A Farewell To Arms” while working as a newspaperman in Paris. He managed to craft his classic novel by utilizing short bursts of intense focus when he could find the time between assignments. This method allowed him to break down big projects into smaller tasks that were easier to complete during short bursts of free time.

You too can follow this example by setting aside specific hours each week dedicated solely for writing and breaking down larger pieces into more manageable chunks that can be completed during shorter time slots. By removing distractions like television, internet and social media during these sessions, you will be able to get more done in less time and make great progress with your projects over time.

Another helpful trick for managing your time better is planning ahead before diving into any project. This could involve outlining topics or creating actionable task lists that help you stay on track throughout the entire process from start to finish.

I’M TOO …

The second biggest obstacle to writing is feeling like you are too old, young, inexperienced, or even intimidated to do so. It can be easy to feel like your work is not important enough or that there are already established authors with better credentials who have already covered the topics that you would like to write about.

However, in reality, no matter what age or level of experience you have, anyone can become a successful writer.

Too old? Here’s a list of writers who met publishing success at a relatively late stage in life:

Laura Ingalls Wilder - Little House on the Prairie (65)
Bram Stoker - Dracula (50)
Anna Sewell - Black Beauty (57)
Mark Twain - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (41)
Raymond Chandler - The Big Sleep (51)
Richard Adams - Watership Down (52)
Frank McCourt - Angela’s Ashes (66)
J.R.R. Tolkien - The Hobbit (45), The Lord of the Rings (63)
Annie Proulx - Postcards (57), The Shipping News (58)
Marjory Stoneman Douglas - Everglades: River of Grass (57)

Too young? Here’s a list of writers who met publishing success at a relatively early stage in life:

Christopher Paolini - Eragon (15)
Mary Shelley - Frankenstein (20)
S.E. Hinton - The Outsiders (19)
Brett Easton Ellis - Less Than Zero (21)
Zadie Smith - White Teeth (22)
Carson McCullers - The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (23)
Gore Vidal - The City and the Pillar (21)
Charles Dickens - The Pickwick Papers (24)

In addition to age-related obstacles, writers may also feel intimidated by other authors whose works appear more complex or polished than theirs. Young writers in particular can struggle when comparing themselves to older more experienced writers - this can lead them to feel overwhelmed and doubt their abilities.

If this sounds familiar then don’t worry - here are some tips on how to overcome these feelings of intimidation and gain confidence in your own writing:

Practice makes perfect – be willing to put in effort and devote time into honing your skills; this will help build up your repertoire of knowledge and style over time.
Find inspiration – look beyond the works of established authors for inspiration; turn towards emerging writers or bloggers whose content might be more relatable and inspiring for you.
Celebrate small wins – taking note of even the smallest successes such as finishing a paragraph or getting positive feedback from a reader will help build confidence over time.
Be yourself – focus on developing an authentic style; don’t try too hard to write like someone else as it will only reduce your originality and creativity.

By following these steps, any aspiring writer can ensure that they stay motivated while working on their craft regardless of their background or experience level. Writing can often feel daunting but with dedication and perseverance comes progress - something Stephen King illustrated perfectly when he said “talent is cheaper than table salt… What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work."

NO-ONE WILL WANT TO READ WHAT I WRITE

The third obstacle that many aspiring writers face is the fear of being dismissed or ignored by readers. It can be discouraging to think that no one will want to read what you have written and it can be hard to muster the courage to put your work out there for others to judge.

Of course, this fear is normal and understandable — after all, writing is a form of self-expression and it can be daunting when putting yourself out for the world to see. It’s also important to remember that in order for your work to be successful, you need people who are willing to read it — so don’t let this obstacle stop you from writing.

Here are some tips on how to overcome this third obstacle:

Get feedback - receive honest critiques from friends or family members who can provide valuable insight into improving your work before putting pen to paper.
Share your work – post snippets of your work on social media platforms such as Twitter or Instagram; this will allow other writers, editors and publishers the opportunity to engage with what you have written.
Join a writers group or forum – online groups like Scribophile, Critique Circle, and Unchained Writer let you connect with other like-minded individuals who share similar interests; it could even lead you to collaborate with them on future projects!
Write everyday - practice makes perfect! Make sure that you are constantly pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone by writing something new each day.

These steps may seem daunting at first but once you start getting positive feedback and more recognition for your work, any doubts about the quality of your writing should start fading away.

Take Stephen King for example — he was rejected by over 30 publishing houses before anyone wanted his first novel “Carrie” which went on to become a bestseller. There are plenty of stories just like this, proving that success in writing usually follows hard effort despite initial rejection — so don’t let no rejections deter you from doing what you love!

Resources

Here are some resources for the productive writer.

MY FAVORITE ALL-PURPOSE RESOURCE

The Writer's Treasure Chest - everything in one place, curated, organized, this is a great reference for all things writing craft, with tons of prompts, plot/character generators and other tools to inspire and help you as you write fiction.

Here are more reference material on the writing craft that can be helpful when writing fiction.

FREE COURSE, GUIDE AND WORKBOOK

Do you want to write fiction faster, while practicing your craft and your writing process to consistently get better? Check out this link to the "Write Fiction Faster ... and better" guide and workbook, which comes with a companion course with 23 bite-sized video lessons and 4 worksheets.

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