Hello Everyone!

I have to admit that this post is something I’ve drafted a little last minute so I apologize if it’s not the most robust thing in the world. However, as a writer and someone who almost exclusively follows the Writing Community hashtag on Twitter, I know that the constant struggle for productivity is something that, in one way or another, plagues us all.

Now there are tons of posts and articles out there that give advice for getting in the right mindset (or if you even should need a “right mindset”) to write but I hope that my perspective might help contribute to the conversation a little bit, too.

Personally, I am in the camp that the last thing a writer needs is inspiration to write. It’s all those moments when writing is the last thing you want to do that actually sitting down and doing it will benefit you most. However, here are some simple ways to build the habit of work that’s even more reliable than pure inspiration:

1. Create a designated space/time to work.
   • Primarily for when you have large periods of time you can devote to writing, having a familiar location and routine (even a familiar candle) can provide you with sensory details that coax your brain into the “working” mindset.
2. Work whenever or however you can.
   • This sounds contradictory, I know, but when a routine doesn’t work or if you’re busy then take what time you can. Jot things down on your phone or keep a pocket notebook for ideas. No matter how much you write or what it is, it is still progress. Reward yourself for that.
3. Don’t punish yourself for lack of productivity.
   • We’re all human. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t meet your goals. In my opinion, as long as you truly have the intention to be productive then you shouldn’t punish yourself if the intentions don’t pan out. That being said, I think it’s important to make the best effort every time.

Aside from some very random tips for a productive mindset, I think at times it’s important to have a plan for how to be productive outside of of just the looming task of writing.

• Try poetry (or fiction, if you’re a poet)
  • Switching up the form of your writing can help you discover new phrases, sentence structures, and just generally help you break out of the habits and patterns that form when writing “in a vortex” as so often happens.
• Query short forms.
  • I know that querying is an incredibly daunting task and, when querying agents or publishers, it seems like a million possibilities hinge on just a couple of words. By querying poems and short stories in magazines/journals you’ll be able to get practice querying and become more used to the expectations that come along with it. Now, querying even short forms takes a lot of time, but if you’re ever feeling like you’re in a slump in your work, then querying can help you look at your writing in a new perspective (and sometimes forcing yourself to talk up your own work will help you fall in love with it all over again).
• Ask for or offer advice.
  • Aside from being in workshop-based MFA program, I’ve done a few manuscript exchanges with friends and I have to say that those can be even more beneficial. It’s not just getting feedback on your work (though that’s always great!) but it’s giving advice that I think really really helps us grow as writers. Often times when reading a first draft (either your own or someone else’s) you’ll come across a part that just feels…awkward. Now, if it’s your own work then you can just rework those parts until they feel “right” and move on; however, when you’re commenting on someone else’s work, things aren’t so simple. Being able to explain to someone why a sentence feels “awkward” or why the voice feels inconsistent is an incredibly valuable tool. By understanding how to articulate what is “off” in a creative work and how to fix it not only helps you have a better working relationship with the person you’re giving advice to but it also allows you the knowledge and language to identify the issues in your own work. It might not sound like much, but it will absolutely help you in editing and in knowing what to avoid next time you start writing again.

I know that those lists are very short, and the advice a bit brief (I really had nothing prepared to write today, I’m so sorry), but I hope that it might help you next time you want to write but may not have the energy to do so in the traditional sense.

Overall, though, if I could give just one piece of advice it’s to never discredit yourself. You should be proud of yourself for every little thing you do to help yourself become a better writer, even if it doesn’t seem like that at times.