by Heidi Main, @HeidiMain
As a full-time writer, now author, I find I sometimes lack focus during the workday and end my writing time with a lackluster amount of new words on the page. After this happened a number of days, I realized I had been sitting at the computer without a plan. You know the old adage, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” But I had a list of things to do, how had I failed?
Let me use an example we can all connect with. If I plan to “clean the house” I can spend all day long going down rabbit trails of cleaning the baseboards or organizing files and decluttering. But I might never get around to the basic dusting and vacuuming that I needed to complete for the task to be a success. Writing is that same beast. If you don’t walk in with a plan, nothing substantial is accomplished.
Lists are your friend. Everything you need to do should be on the list. For me, “write ch4” is not enough. I need that broken down into bite-sized pieces: decide on action for a scene, develop a GMC for each scene, outline each scene, write a first draft for each scene, flesh out the first draft, and so on.
But some days, such a detailed list doesn’t work. Why?
Because of the dreaded rabbit holes writers that inevitably go down when they aren’t focused.
What can we do to stay focused?
- Remain on task by making another list of things to do when your writing time is complete. That way, you won’t go down any rabbit trails.
- If you use Scrivener you can switch to composition mode for distraction-free writing.
- If the task you are doing doesn’t speak to you, move on to the next item on your list. But keep writing!
- Give yourself grace. For example, in ch12 my characters had their kiss. The day I was supposed to write that scene, I could only sketch it out. The words weren’t coming. Likely because this was a fast draft, and I hadn’t fully fleshed out the characters. So what’d I do? I moved onto the next scene because you can’t edit unwritten words!
- Join the Novel Academy sprints (go to the Facebook page for more information) to focus your writing time with other writers like yourself.
- If the Novel Academy sprint times don’t work for you, find a buddy who has a similar schedule and sprint with them. Nothing like accountability to keep you focused!
Unproductive writing days will happen, but they don’t need to define you. Take control of your writing time and be focused. Happy writing!
A Nanny for the Rancher’s Twins
Returning to small-town Texas was her fresh start.
She never expected a ready-made family.
What could be better than running a rustic wedding venue? Event planner Laney Taylor has it all laid out…except for the serious renovations her inherited property needs. Rancher Ethan McCaw will help—but only if she’ll nanny his toddler twins. Laney’s all about planning weddings for others and shielding her own heart, but Ethan, Zoe and Tori might be just the ones to change her mind…
Heidi Main writes sweet inspirational romance novels set in small towns. She lives in the central North Carolina’s suburbs, but dreams of acreage and horseback riding, which is why her novels include wide-open ranches and horses. Before starting her writing career, Heidi worked with computers and taught Jazzercise. She loves to take walks, garden, play board games, curl up with a good book, and watch HGTV. A perfect Saturday is lounging on the deck with her husband and watching the many birds in their backyard. Learn more about her books at www.heidimain.com.