Im currently writing and editing at the same time because of the nature of the novel im writing so for anyone who does want to so that here is my tips based on my experience so far: 1. Decide ahead of time if the session is for writing or editing and stick to that. 2. Have a zero draft where you just write and dont go back to change, leave detailed notes for what you want to change if you realize something while you're in a writing session. 3. Do all your edits in a seperate draft of the story as it helps you keep things separates and leaves a copy of each itteration of the story so you dont loose something if you want to retrieve it - this helped me avoid a lot of axiety over deleting words etc.
I tend to put more words down with a countdown timer. Three 25 minuet periods with a 5 min review. My new story now has a thousand words. Another way is to achieve a stated word count. My 200 a day seems to be working. Now to find the time and place with limited distractions.
That's a great strategy! Setting specific goals and using a countdown timer can really help with productivity and staying focused. Also, even goals like 200 words a day might not seem like a lot day in and day out, but after a whole year, you'll pretty much have a whole novel.
I would argue that consistency is much more important than productivity or efficiency. It’s okay to go slow and enjoy the process. Find the pace that works for you and produces quality. Grab a pen like Neal Stephenson and write by hand so the words, as he put it, have time to buffer.
I 100% agree that consistency is among the most important aspects of a writing process. It's funny though, I would never think to write by hand (mostly because my handwriting is awful lol). Thank you for commenting and for your perspective!
What tips do you have to be a more productive writer? Is there something that helps you write faster and write more in a given writing session?
Im currently writing and editing at the same time because of the nature of the novel im writing so for anyone who does want to so that here is my tips based on my experience so far:
1. Decide ahead of time if the session is for writing or editing and stick to that.
2. Have a zero draft where you just write and dont go back to change, leave detailed notes for what you want to change if you realize something while you're in a writing session.
3. Do all your edits in a seperate draft of the story as it helps you keep things separates and leaves a copy of each itteration of the story so you dont loose something if you want to retrieve it - this helped me avoid a lot of axiety over deleting words etc.
YES! These are all the exceptions or the “proper” way to edit as you write. Thank you for commenting and sharing! What sort of story are you writing?
I tend to put more words down with a countdown timer. Three 25 minuet periods with a 5 min review. My new story now has a thousand words. Another way is to achieve a stated word count. My 200 a day seems to be working. Now to find the time and place with limited distractions.
That's a great strategy! Setting specific goals and using a countdown timer can really help with productivity and staying focused. Also, even goals like 200 words a day might not seem like a lot day in and day out, but after a whole year, you'll pretty much have a whole novel.
Thanks for replying! That is the plan. Just need to find a group and I'll be Lee Child in no time😅
I totally get it, finding a group that vibes with your writing style can be a game-changer.
thanks for the tips, I plan to implement all of them in 2024 in order to finish my first novel this year! cheers :)
That's great to hear! I'm glad you found the tips helpful. Best of luck with finishing your first novel this year!
I would argue that consistency is much more important than productivity or efficiency. It’s okay to go slow and enjoy the process. Find the pace that works for you and produces quality. Grab a pen like Neal Stephenson and write by hand so the words, as he put it, have time to buffer.
I 100% agree that consistency is among the most important aspects of a writing process. It's funny though, I would never think to write by hand (mostly because my handwriting is awful lol). Thank you for commenting and for your perspective!
I'm finding moving around inbetween writing sessions is helping me at the moment
I’ve heard this from others as well!
thank you
You're welcome ☺️
OMG ...I always get stuck on an editing loop.
I totally feel you! Editing can be a never-ending process sometimes. I was stuck in one for so long that I thought I'd forgotten how to just write!
I need to learn to write faster because I 'm so slow.