Elizabeth Ferretti, affiliate of The Writers Company, gives advice on getting the work done!
“I never seem to have time to write.” “Another week has gone, and I’ve not written anything.” “I don’t have the mental space to write.”
If any of these cries from a writer’s heart sound familiar, you’re not alone! A lack of time has been one of the biggest frustrations of my writing life, but through these frustrations I’ve found some hacks I want to pass on to you.
If writing makes you feel good, then I’m here to tell you, nay, order you! to put it firmly back in its rightful place at the heart of your life. Writing is often seen (even subconsciously) as an “indulgence” or “just a hobby” – it can be hard to make time for it, other things come higher up the list of priorities – but this is not good for your wellbeing in the long run, and I am all about writers and wellbeing. So, to get you started, here are a few of my favourite hacks. 1 Buddy up Find someone to write with online (via a video call) or in person with, once a month or more, at a time to suit you. Make a date and stick to it. This is literally the best. You don’t have to talk about what you’re writing, you just write! (I’ve got some courses based around this concept with The Writers Company during March, April and May.) 2 150 Words Get a notebook and write around 150 words a day. The important thing here is to not worry about quality. The power of this hack is that it takes the pressure off. I’ve loved discovering this tip! I’m using it right now to develop a new novel. It’s very cool, and surprisingly productive. 3 Pomodoro Technique
My absolute go to! If I have a deadline or simply feel overwhelmed by a project, I practice some “kidology” on myself. I set a timer for 25 minutes, and set that as my horizon. This hack breaks down that famous ‘journey of a thousand miles’ into manageable steps. It’s known as the Pomodoro Technique (You can Google the story of this little tomato timer, it’s fun!) Give these a go. I guarantee, they will help put your writing back where it belongs – in the centre of your life. Liz Ferretti writes fiction, features, and educational books. Part way through an MSc in the Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health at King’s College, London, Liz is keen to explore the link between creative writing and mental wellbeing. She posts regular writing prompts and tips on her Writer Revealed Instagram and Facebook
Find out more at her website: www.writerrevealed.co.uk and here: www.thewriterscompany.co.uk/about-us.