Do you ever have rough days where everything that could go wrong…does? Days when it feels like the whole world is pushing back?
These days are inevitable and frustrating because often we don’t write!
Recently, I read The 8-Minute Writing Habit by Monica Leonelle. I highly recommend this book because it’s like an injection of motivation. You’ll find tips you can implement right away.
Check out three excellent takeaways…
1. Write in 8-minute chunks.
No surprise here. The title gives it away:-) Like me, you’re probably thinking, “Eight minutes isn’t long enough to write! Don’t be silly .”
Hear me out…
I was surprised how much I wrote when I experimented with 8-minute writing sprints.
Writing a novel is an epic undertaking. Whether it’s a short story or a 150K word tome, getting started is daunting.
That’s why Leonelle argues that eight minutes is the perfect chunk of time. Why? Anyone can sit down for eight minutes and write about 250 words.
Eight minutes is short enough that the writing feels pretty painless. And it’s long enough that you get words on paper.
Watch out…you may keep going. What’s that I’m sensing…momentum?
But this approach may not work for everyone. A timer going off can distract you just when you’re getting into a flow state. Don’t despair, just reset and start another sprint.
What if you dictate? Eight minutes is perfect. Purchase a quality microphone (I use this brand and dictate into Scrivener or Google docs). Let your thoughts flow freely. Easy when it’s only eight minutes, right?
You can also dictate on your phone, and Leonelle advocates using text swiping functionality to quickly write on your mobile device. A practical idea if you’re stuck somewhere you can’t dictate (and you don’t want awkward stares. Guy dictating in the elevator, I’m talking to you).
2. Bad day? Resort to Plan C
We all have bad days, including days where we’re blocked and just can’t get words on paper.
Leonelle describes her clever solution. Plan A is that elusive, perfect day. You know the kind where you meet your target word count, your writing flows magically from your brain to the page, and by 5 pm, you kick back with a well-deserved New Zealand sauv blanc?
Well, that’s my perfect day anyway…
But then you have days where the universe seems to be plotting against you. Your alarm clock fails, then you have a lousy day at work, and afterward, you’re too tired to do anything besides watch Jessica Jones on Netflix.
Even on a good day, when you’re in the saggy middle of your WIP, it’s sheer torture to pull something, anything out of your brain.
Leonelle says come up with a Plan C…
What is the bare minimum that you could do on a bad day to feel okay?
To feel like you’re making some progress?
I love this idea so much, I have a list on my wall describing my Plan A, B, C scenarios. And hey, I get to decide what day I have!
Plan A is my ideal day:
-
3000 words
-
4 hours of deep creative work
-
Exercise
-
1-2 hours of marketing
-
Wine & Jessica Jones
Since many days don’t turn out this well, I have a Plan B:
-
1,000 words
-
2 hours of deep work
-
A workout or walk

Source: https://unsplash.com
Then on the really bad days, catastrophic days, I resort to plan C:
-
At least one 8-minute writing session (I’ll often write more than 8 min once I get started).
-
A short walk
-
A short blog update or post on Facebook
Leave A Comment