Are you list lover? I am. 
I recently made a list of 10 truths that I’ve revisited recently in my own writing career in regards to staying focused and to “finishing the book!”
But these are truths that also apply to life in general.
Which of these 10 tips resonate with you?
- Disconnect…and be disciplined about it—
So easy to say, so hard to do.In my early years of writing there weren’t as many distractions as there are today—yes, we did already have cell phones and email (I wrote my first novel in 2002, not the dark ages!)—but phones and email and social media weren’t the “great commanders of time” as they seem to be now. The number of ways to communicate has increased exponentially since then. Which, in turn, has contributed to our lack of concentration and ability to focus.Now there’s Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, blogs and the list goes on and on. An author could easily spend the majority of her time doing social media, staying connected with readers (which is an absolute blast!), and sorting the rest of “life stuff” that always crops up—and never write. Or at least never finish that novel.The best—the only—way I’ve found that works for me is to turn it off. Literally.
Okay, don’t really destroy it.But close your email. Silence your phone. Turn off notifications. I’ve even gone so far as to turn off the wifi connection on my laptop (#trueconfession). The main goal is to set aside a block of time when you’re not multitasking like a banshee. Give yourself the permission to do that (and gain agreement from family members to respect that time, too). It’s transformative!Something else that works for me is to set a timer for 30-45 minutes. And for that block of time (whatever works best for you) all I do is write. Just. Write. If I come across a question I need to research, I write it down on the pad of paper beside me—which is vital!—and then move on.Inevitably, thoughts will come to mind—people you need to reach out to, an errand you need to run, that quick email you intended to write yesterday that you could “take just a second and do right now.” But don’t! Make a note of it and then move on! Writing those things down (instead of simply trying to “dismiss them” or making mental note) really helps to let go and keep powering forward.Instrumental music also helps me get into—and stay within—the flow. I have a playlist entitled Music to Write By and—for whatever science there may be behind the therapeutic aid of music—this works for me.
2. Research—
I love research. I adore it. I’m convinced I could research for a living. But researching can oftentimes become a form of procrastination.
At times, I have to go back into my story and strip out parts of description where I’ve crossed the line of telling the story and, instead, am giving a mini-lecture on the medical procedures of a certain surgical practice of the 19th century simply because I found it so fascinating.
Save this information for your website. For instance, do a Truth or Fiction page for your novel where you can share more of this fabulously-detailed-but-not-at-all-interesting-to-some information with your readers. I did this for A Note Yet Unsung and also To Wager Her Heart, and these are highly visited pages on my website. Love it!
3. Take breaks…but set a timer—
I do love my timers, can you tell?
Taking a break—reading a book, watching a movie, taking a walk, washing those dishes, doing that laundry—can give your mind a break and even fuel creativity. But, again, they can also be sneaky forms of procrastination. Set a timer and then get back to writing!
4. Know your characters—
The best way for me to get to know my characters is to write a free-form biography of their lives (thanks, Robin, who is one of the people who encouraged me to do this early on). This is a document that only I ever see. I don’t worry about punctuation or grammar. I just write about those characters—their families, their perceived strengths and weaknesses, the pivotal moments of their lives, their deepest fears, their proudest achievements—until they become “real” to me.
This step makes all the difference in my writing. And I do this for secondary characters as well.
Incidentally, when I’m majorly struggling with a certain scene, I also ask myself if I’m writing that scene from the best choice of POV character. That makes a big difference, too!
5. Have healthy snacks at hand—
Creativity needs physical fuel as well as mental fuel. Yet as a rule, I don’t eat at my desk while writing UNLESS it’s a portioned-out quantity of something where I can’t absentmindedly crawl into the bag and eat my way to the center of the earth. And do your best to choose healthy snacks that won’t cause your blood sugar to tank. Writing can be a fairly sedentary career, so eating well and getting regular exercise is huge for staying well equipped to write.
Something that’s helped me in this regard is that I went Low Carb Gluten Free (#Keto) in June 2016. I’m down 28 lbs since then and love this lifestyle. I was a total Carb Queen. And I do mean total. So for me to do this was huge, and it’s made such a difference in my life. In my health. If you’re interested in finding out more, visit my Low Carb Love page on my website.
6. Read—
I’ve already mentioned reading as a creativity fuel in a previous tip, but reading really is essential. The old adage, “If you want to be a great writer, you must be a great reader” still holds true. Read broadly. Read books out of your normal-go-to zone. Stretch yourself!
7. Set realistic deadlines—
Deadlines are great motivators but unrealistic deadlines are flat defeating. Been there, lived through that. Too many times. If you’re writing for a publisher, be open with your editor about needing more time on a manuscript. Don’t want until the last minute to tell them that. Be honest with them—and yourself!
8. Find a writing critique partner—
Deborah Raney and I have been writing critique partners for going on 14 years (love you, Deb!), and she adds so much clarity and perspective to my writing. Plus critiquing someone else’s work teaches you so much about your own (similar to how we can see others’ faults but not our own…ahem.)
I share about writing with a critique partner here so if that topic speaks to you, you may want to check that out.
(Don’t Deb and I look so sweet? #lookscanbedeceiving)
9. Remember Who you’re writing for—
As a follower of Christ, everything I do—my writing included—is a form of worship to him. Spending time in the Word of God is essential. A friend suggested Bible Study Fellowship to me, and this is my seventh year to take part in that study. Life changing!
Remember, if God calls you to write, he’ll also equip you to write. Lean into the eternal confidence of the One who’s called you, not in your own ability to complete the task.
10. Finally, reward yourself—
When you meet your daily goal, reward yourself! Celebrate! Watch that Redbox movie, settle into the comfy chair with that book, scour that antique shop, attend that yoga class. But when you don’t meet your daily goal, then—coming full circle back to #1 above—don’t reward yourself.
Since I moved to the Low Carb Gluten Free lifestyle, I do a ton more cooking and baking than I used to. Because truly LCGF products simply aren’t that readily available. So part of my reward system involves cooking and baking. I’ve discovered an entirely new realm of “fun in the kitchen” since going LCGF and that involves cooking and baking differently. So…that’s oftentimes my reward. And it’s a huge motivator for me!
So, find your own motivator and put it to work for you!
I hope at least a few of these tips have been proven helpful. And, as Deb (my writing critique partner) and I always say to each other when we make comments in a first draft—TorT! Take or Toss! Take what works for you, babe, and toss the rest!
So which of these resonated with you?
And if you’re also a writer, what else have you found that helps you to stay focused and finish the book?
Blessings on your Tuesday,
Tammy
ENTER HERE!
My October GIVEAWAY
for two $10 Amazon gift cards!
International friends, this is for you too!
Do you live in or around the Nashville area?
Then there’s still time to join us for a fabulous writers conference AND the Christy Awards!
Tamera Alexander
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Hi Tammy. I loved this post and will forward it to my writing friend. I’m just a reader. You could apply this to other things as well.
I could not find out how to enter your October giveaway. I touched on all the lines near the amazon card but nothing came up. I also went to your giveaway page but the most recent was for August.
Hope your Dad is doing better. My Mom is 100 And has macular degeneration, so she can’t read anymore. She was reading up until about 9 months ago. Unfortunately she doesn’t do audible books , must be her hearing, too.
Praying for your dear mom, Paula. 100! I cannot imagine… Bless her!Thanks for sharing with your writing friend! And I just checked and the giveaway IS there. ?? It’s the October giveaway. Perhaps reload that page (maybe your cache pulled up an old page?): http://tameraalexander.com/extras/giveaway Let me know if you can’t find it. Much love!
They all resonate with me! But I’m probably least likely to do the unplugging. I have to be reachable for some of my responsibilities like grands and aging parents. And oh how I would love to eat those chocolate muffins (that sounds better than cupcakes, right?) but I would eat them all. I think the biggest one I focus on is getting myself to move. Writing is sedentary. My dream desk is one of those adjustable ones for sitting and or standing. 🙂
Yes, Angie, to that sitting/standing desk! I’ve got a makeshift one that I use, but I’ve got my eye on a more sophisticated one. Someday!! : ) Blessings on all your responsibilities for grands and aging parents. I’ve walked that road. It’s one filled with blessings but also pain and heartache. Thanks for your servant heart!
I had the same experience with the contest but wanted to say hello…your books are so lovely! Your writing tips are good for accomplishing a lot of tasks! I feel like I live on the internet these days as I telecommute from home for my job, have loads of international and faraway friends, and love the feeling of staying connected. It’s not great for checking off my to-do list though!
Trdivincenzo (at) gmail (dot) com
How crazy. When I click the link it goes straight there. How strange. I’ll go through and edit it again. I LOVE all the ways we can stay connected, too, Teri. But yes, it definitely interferes with goal fulfillment! 😉 Thanks for sharing!
Love these tips, Tammy! As a writer with undiagnosed ADD, I often struggle with focus. A lot of these tips are things I’ve discovered that help me too, only tweaked to fit my personality and writing style. For example, on my first draft, I’ll jot down notes for research, but on subsequent drafts, I take a few moments to see if I can find a quick answer to any research questions. If it takes more than ten or fifteen minutes to find it, then I mark it for the next round of in-depth research.
One thing I do to help myself focus is use headphones with my made-for-this-project soundtrack. The headphones keep me attached to my computer or CD player, and they remind me that I am supposed to be accomplishing things like getting words on the page, finishing that chapter, working through those edits… And it works as a visual sign to my family that I am busy working and cannot be disturbed just then. If I need the focus but am able to be disturbed, I’ll put one side of the headphones over an ear (to hear the music) but tuck the other side behind my other ear, a sign to my family that I can hear them if they need me. I may have to ask them to hold on while I finish out a thought, but they know I’m then willing to pause my work to answer their question.
Happy focusing, my friend!
Andrea
Love that “family headphone language” y’all have going on there, Andrea! It DOES make a difference, doesn’t it! Appreciate you sharing!
I’m not a writer, but I can see how a lot of these suggestions could help me focus more on the things I need to get done, instead of wasting so much time doing non-productive things. Thanks for the great post!
Hey Winnie! Thanks for the kind words!
Great post, Tammy, and I just want to say again, publicly, what a blessing it’s been to be your crit partner all these years. Not least of all because it means I get to read your wonderful books before anyone else! 😉 You’ve been blessed with an amazing gift!
I’M the one to be thanking you, Ms. Raney! I’m so grateful you were willing to mentor me during those early days. Made such a difference in my writing and in my life. Now send me a current draft so I can keep reading your newest. I’m already invested!
Love this! I am a reader…need to unplug more so I can read more books! Recently read Christmas at Carnton and loved it! Thanks for your giveaway of gift cards!
Thanks, Jackie, for your kind words! And yes, unplugging is actually very freeing! (Um…as long as I know I can plug in again later so I don’t get too far behind on that front too!)