To keep myself accountable, I do a variety of things. They all involve tricking myself into remaining productive. I can get lost in Facebook for an hour while I should be writing. I can get stuck in a thorny plot problem for days while I research. For example, my last novella is about an artist. I needed to find out about art gallery exhibitions. It took weeks, WEEKS, to find enough information for me to feel comfortable writing about it.
1. I use the Twitter hashtag #1k1hr to get pseudo-writing buddies. Every hour that I write using that, I have to share my word count with other people. This gives me a sense of competition and having to be accountable for my time. I can't fiddle with "research" and sound productive when my word count is 250 instead of 1,000.
2. That's it. Number 1 is all I do. I need more things, which is why I'm writing this. How do you all remain productive? I know. I need to put everything away and focus. I need tricks and tips to stay focused. Tangible things like #1k1hr. Or maybe I need real writing friends to hold me accountable. To give me a kick when I need it.
I've decided that this blog will double as a writing journal.
Do any of you have writing partners? Where did you find a person you can trust, and one that is on the same level as you as far as writing and publishing?
This feels like when I'd watch my kids making friends in grade school. "Will you be my friend?" That was the opening line! If only it could be that easy now, right?
I make a to-do list and I stick to it! (But I'm one of those "I LOVE crossing things off my list" people, so that alone is what keeps me going!
ReplyDeleteI normally love lists, too! I don't think I have ADD, but maybe a little since lists make me feel organized and less frantic.
DeleteI love my lists! And I make goals like I want to do x y z in 2 hours and try to stick to it!
ReplyDeleteI might have to be more focused on making those lists and giving myself deadlines. If I know I have hours to finish something, I'll wait until the last minute. I'm not procrastinating. I'm challenging myself! Yeah. Challenging myself.
DeleteI feel you :) I usually have out focus whenever I write articles and facebook is just in another browser hahaha... I tried doing what they suggested have a goal and make a list :) unfortunately those lists are stock up in my posts wall as a draft :P
ReplyDeleteFacebook is evil. I'm completely convinced of that. I can feel it laughing at me when I'm playing Candy Crush instead of writing.
DeleteWhen I get off track I use a timer. I choose my task then set the timer for 30-60 minutes, it helps me focus.
ReplyDeleteI might have to try the timer thing along with more lists.
DeleteWouldn't it be lovely of adults could go up to other adults and say that??? I don't do anything in particular, but I'm pretty committed to this.
ReplyDeleteIt would! Or it might be awkward if they said, "No. I don't want to."
DeleteI don't have a list. I usually just wing everything. Being military we have set schedules and we're told where to be, what to wear etc so when I'm home I'm the complete opposite.
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense that you'd want to be relaxed when you're home.
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