How To Put In More Effort

[BunnyJen90]

First of all I want to start this post by saying I've been evaluated for ADHD and its been determined I don't have that. For the new year it's my resolution to focus more on my writing and artwork than spend so much time playing video games. However, I find it rather hard to get myself to stay focused on my writing. Doesn't help that I've gotten so many ideas over the years that I've never really gotten out and I'll bounce from one idea to the other. Also it seems I'd much rather play video games than write and draw. I'm starting to wonder if I should give up on video games. I kind of feel I'm starting to get too old for them anyway. Also I usually type my stories on my laptop but I also find it rather distracting as I also got tons of video games on my laptop since I'm more of a pc gamer. Lately I've been wondering if I should switch to writing in notebooks. However I also find writing in a notebook old fashion which makes me really hesitant to try writing in a notebook.

 

[ThinkerX]

1 - Pick a story that interests you. Do an outline.

2 - Pick a suitable time slot (preferably an hour, at least thirty minutes.)

3 - Get a cooking timer or something similar. Set it to match the length of the time slot.

4 - From the time the timer starts until the bell rings, you do nothing but write that story, ignoring all issues of grammar and consistency. After the first few minutes the word should come easier. Repeat with *that* story until the first draft is finished. When other ideas come to you, write them down AFTER the bell rings.

Yes, the draft will seem horrible. That is true of most first drafts. It does give you something to work with.

 

[BunnyJen90]

Thanks setting a timer might help. Also I noticed it helps me to break things down into smaller more attainable steps so maybe set aside time every night to write a little bit without worrying about Grammer and stuff until i get that first draft done.

 

[Prince of Spires]

I would take a step back first and ask yourself why you want to write. Of course, the answer doesn't have to be earth shattering or big or amazing. My answer to that question is that I like telling stories and having people read them. But it helps to know why you write.

The reason I say this is that writing a novel is a lot of work. It's often lonely. There are plenty of other things you could do in that time. That's all fine, there's nothing wrong with that. But that's also why knowing your why helps. And maybe if you learn that you just want to see your name on a book cover and you don't actually like writing, you decide to play games or watch tv. Or maybe you discover that you really do want to tell stories.

Other than that, I agree with ThinkerX . Develop a process and follow that. Try to write a little each day, instead of a lot on 1 day. And that little can really be little. Even 15 minutes a day can get you a first draft of a novel in a year, if you stick to it religiously (dependent on length of book and speed of writing of course).

So there's no need to give things up completely. Just find 30 minutes in a day and write during that time. The cooking timer method (also called pomodoro sprinting) is a good one. If I do it, I tend to split the 30 mins in two blocks of 15, where I get a very short break in between (basically only to get a drink or go to the toilet). And the time can be found everywhere. Show up early to work, or write during your lunchbreak, or get up early (I can't, I'm not a morning person), or write each night after dinner or when you get home, or ...

 

[Mad Swede]

You know, your post makes it sound like you find writing a bit of a chore. That makes me wonder what it is that motivates you to write? If you can answer that question then you should be able to find a way of writing and completing a story.

For me writing is very hard work given that I'm severely dyslexic, so it's the motivation to write which drives me on. That motivation is what made me develop my way of writing, and it is also reflected in the types of stories I write. As for method, the only advice I would give you is to write when you sit down to write. What, where, when and how you write is secondary. The first thing is to get into the discipline of writing. Only when you've got into that discipline can you work out how you best write your stories.

 

[pmmg]

For the new year it's my resolution to focus more on my writing and artwork than spend so much time playing video games.

There is a difference between wanting to do something, and deciding to do it. When you decide, nothing will stop you from succeeding. And if there are obstacles in the way, you will do what you need to get rid of them. If you just want to write, you'll probably spend another year just wanting.


However, I find it rather hard to get myself to stay focused on my writing. Doesn't help that I've gotten so many ideas over the years that I've never really gotten out and I'll bounce from one idea to the other.


Ideas are a dime a dozen. A completed work in hand is the measure. The discipline to write to the end is the difference between wanting to be a writer and being one. You need to find one of those ideas and stick with it. (See rules below).


I kind of feel I'm starting to get too old for them (video games) anyway.

Everything has a shelf life. I have wasted a lot of years playing video games and have nothing to show for them. For me, I gave them up. If there are things you want to do in your life, and other things are standing in the way, its best to let them go.

PC games will steal your life in huge chunks, and you wont even see them passing. If playing them is more feeding an addiction, and wasting away all else, leave them behind forever.



Also I usually type my stories on my laptop but I also find it rather distracting as I also got tons of video games on my laptop since I'm more of a pc gamer. Lately I've been wondering if I should switch to writing in notebooks. However I also find writing in a notebook old fashion which makes me really hesitant to try writing in a notebook.

If you write them by hand, you will still have to transfer them to a PC. There are several ways to approach this differently. You could get rid of all the video games on the pc. You could get a second notebook just for writing. You could get some app which turns off your connection to the internet until you've done your writing.

If the pull of the video game is so strong, you cant have it on a PC and ignore it, get rid of it.

 

[Jackarandajam]

First of all I want to start this post by saying I've been evaluated for ADHD and its been determined I don't have that. For the new year it's my resolution to focus more on my writing and artwork than spend so much time playing video games. However, I find it rather hard to get myself to stay focused on my writing. Doesn't help that I've gotten so many ideas over the years that I've never really gotten out and I'll bounce from one idea to the other. Also it seems I'd much rather play video games than write and draw. I'm starting to wonder if I should give up on video games. I kind of feel I'm starting to get too old for them anyway. Also I usually type my stories on my laptop but I also find it rather distracting as I also got tons of video games on my laptop since I'm more of a pc gamer. Lately I've been wondering if I should switch to writing in notebooks. However I also find writing in a notebook old fashion which makes me really hesitant to try writing in a notebook.

Have a mac but currently writing on a $160 chrome book with nothing on it. I know it isn't best practice to write on Drive but I do, and it allows me to easily browse my writing on my phone throughout the day.
I have the same idea-hopping problem, and its helped me immensely to remember that some of the best books ever written were less than 50k words. The Time Machine is about 32k.

You don't have to drag an idea out to 150k for it to be a real book. Some people are just wired to write shorter, I think.

 

[Gurkhal]

Its always best to start small. So if the story don't need more than, say, 20k words then that the lenght of it. If the story needs 100k words. That's the correct length. Don't drag things out or add padding because you feel the story must be a certain length.

EDITED: As for gaming I couldn't do without it. Just like reading books and watching movies gives me inspiration for my own writing, so does gaming give me inspiration for my stories. Its just another media for storytelling as far as I'm concerned.

 

[BunnyJen90]

There is writing short stories. I could write short stories instead. I originally started writing as a way to entertain myself as a kid but these days it doesn't seem as entertaining. I hate to give up video games completely but they seem to be a distraction. I think the idea of another computer just for writing is a good idea but don't exactly have the money right now. I could look into an app that can temporarily block me from playing my video games so I can focus more on my writing.

 

[Fidel]

I would say that if you're looking to put in more effort in writing, then start by setting clear goals and creating a regular writing routine. Break your writing tasks into smaller steps and find your motivation to keep you driven. Stay organized, seek feedback from others and take care of yourself to maintain focus and energy. Be patient and persistent, as writing takes time and effort.

 

[pmmg]

I would say that if you're looking to put in more effort in writing, then start by setting clear goals and creating a regular writing routine. Break your writing tasks into smaller steps and find your motivation to keep you driven. Stay organized, seek feedback from others and take care of yourself to maintain focus and energy. Be patient and persistent, as writing takes time and effort.

I would dig deeper than this. Goals are great, but they don't lead to maintainable habits. Better than goals is a strategy.


My strategy is simply this, I promise to write one sentence a day.

That's it. It doesn't ask too much, it doesn't leave me defeated, and it does not even have to be a keeper. Make that a habit and the rest will take care of itself.

 

[Fidel]

I would dig deeper than this. Goals are great, but they don't lead to maintainable habits. Better than goals is a strategy.


My strategy is simply this, I promise to write one sentence a day.

That's it. It doesn't ask too much, it doesn't leave me defeated, and it does not even have to be a keeper. Make that a habit and the rest will take care of itself.

Yes that actually sounds promising but how can someone find which strategy works best for them

 

[pmmg]

Sorry, meant to say system and not strategy.

A system that makes easy doing what is needed, and prevents falling off.

Yes that actually sounds promising but how can someone find which strategy works best for them

I would use the one I suggested.

My strategy is simply this, I promise to write one sentence a day.

That's it. It doesn't ask too much, it doesn't leave me defeated, and it does not even have to be a keeper. Make that a habit and the rest will take care of itself.

See where it goes.

 

[Prince of Spires]

Yes that actually sounds promising but how can someone find which strategy works best for them

You try a lot of different things and keep what works for you.

The most important thing to realize is that everyone is different, and every writer has a different process. There are some who write every day, some who spend a year plotting and write two books over their summer holiday. There are people who plot, people who pants, people who do something in between. Some write in the evening, some in the morning. Everyone's different, and what works for me doesn't have to work for you.

For instance, the 1 sentence a day is a great idea, however, I doubt it would work for me long term. My mind would at some point give up, since what's a sentence. On the other hand, I strive to write 5 days a week for an hour or so, and I track my wordcount religiously (I could tell you how many words I wrote on October 23rd 2019 for instance...). That's what works for me.

A good way to discover your process is to set yourself some lofty goal. Something like trying NaNoWriMo (so writing 50k words in a month). Sit down and give it an honest try. It doesn't matter if you make it or not, but you'll learn a lot about what does and doesn't work for you.

 

[Fidel]

Sorry, meant to say system and not strategy.

A system that makes easy doing what is needed, and prevents falling off.



I would use the one I suggested.

My strategy is simply this, I promise to write one sentence a day.

That's it. It doesn't ask too much, it doesn't leave me defeated, and it does not even have to be a keeper. Make that a habit and the rest will take care of itself.

See where it goes.

You're actually right good system could be the trick here as long as it's followed on a daily basis to prevent procrastination or just ignorance

You seem to already have a good system going on, but have you ever felt like at any point in time that you didn't know what to write

 

[Fidel]

You try a lot of different things and keep what works for you.

The most important thing to realize is that everyone is different, and every writer has a different process. There are some who write every day, some who spend a year plotting and write two books over their summer holiday. There are people who plot, people who pants, people who do something in between. Some write in the evening, some in the morning. Everyone's different, and what works for me doesn't have to work for you.

For instance, the 1 sentence a day is a great idea, however, I doubt it would work for me long term. My mind would at some point give up, since what's a sentence. On the other hand, I strive to write 5 days a week for an hour or so, and I track my wordcount religiously (I could tell you how many words I wrote on October 23rd 2019 for instance...). That's what works for me.

A good way to discover your process is to set yourself some lofty goal. Something like trying NaNoWriMo (so writing 50k words in a month). Sit down and give it an honest try. It doesn't matter if you make it or not, but you'll learn a lot about what does and doesn't work for you.

Thanks for the interesting feedback, you may be right on this one.

Everyone is different and special in their own way, so one thing won't work for all. I will have to take out sometime and try a few systems or strategies to see which works best for me.

But your system is not bad by the way it looks really promising

 

[pmmg]

You're actually right good system could be the trick here as long as it's followed on a daily basis to prevent procrastination or just ignorance.

The system is designed to prevent procrastination. That's why its a system.

The idea is to promise something small and reachable, and make a habit out of doing the least. Promise to do the tiniest amount and do it. It does not even have to be a keeper. Doing this, the least, is a way to build a habit of doing everyday without fretting over all the stressful stuff about it. Most often, you will not just stick to one sentence, but one sentence is pretty easy to achieve.


This is better than a goal...Imma write 1000 words today...and everyday... That wont last, and you will most often go to bed failing at your task. That creates the wrong incentive. Go to bed feeling like you did what you promised instead.

Ignorance, You will have to explain.


You seem to already have a good system going on, but have you ever felt like at any point in time that you didn't know what to write.

All the time. And its well documented here on the site, in my scribbles thread. Quite often I have no idea what I am going to write, but....I never fail to write it.


*never being defined as a 99.9% success rate.



Everyone is different and special in their own way, so one thing won't work for all.

Do not let this statement wreck your success. If you want an excuse, look for ways to discount everything else. You want to succeed, stop looking for why it wont work, and put some to use.

 

[Jackarandajam]

Everyone is different and special in their own way, so one thing won't work for all.

Do not let this statement wreck your success. If you want an excuse, look for ways to discount everything else. You want to succeed, stop looking for why it wont work, and put some to use.

YOU ARE NOT A BEAUTIFUL AND UNIQUE SNOWFLAKE.
YOU ARE THE ALL-SEEING, ALL-DANCING CRAP OF THE WORLD.
But seriously, Fight Club quotes aside: consistency is absolutely key. This coming from an unpublished guy who is 100% sure his lack of consistency is the problem.

A trick to writing every day (though not to getting quickly finished with anything): have a few stories you are writing simultaneously that appeal to your set of moods.
For instance: I have my primary WIP that is the big thing I need to finish (dark fantasy), my slapdash insanity WIP that I punch into when I need to stretch my legs with some paratrooper ferrets with acid-bubble miniguns (space fantasy), and my super serious theological, philosophical ache piece I dabble in when I don't feel like writing at all (...I'm not sure.).
This is only a method I would recommend if you're having trouble writing anything at all. Other methods are far superior if you want to finish something quickly.

 

[Prince of Spires]

You seem to already have a good system going on, but have you ever felt like at any point in time that you didn't know what to write

I know this question wasn't directed at me, but I'll answer anyway. I very rarely don't know what to write. Simple reason is that I plot my stories. I plan out in advance what needs to be written. I do so in 2 ways. First, I create a rough outline for the whole story. And then, when I sit down to write a chapter or scene, I plan that out in more detail. I figure out exactly what the characters do.

This way, I always know what to write. If you've never tried it, give it a go.

 

[Fidel]

I know this question wasn't directed at me, but I'll answer anyway. I very rarely don't know what to write. Simple reason is that I plot my stories. I plan out in advance what needs to be written. I do so in 2 ways. First, I create a rough outline for the whole story. And then, when I sit down to write a chapter or scene, I plan that out in more detail. I figure out exactly what the characters do.

This way, I always know what to write. If you've never tried it, give it a go.

Your approach to plotting your stories is very effective. By creating a rough outline and then planning each chapter or scene in detail, you ensure that you always know what to write next. This method can be a great way to stay organized and focused. This is something I'll have to look into myself, thanks for sharing.