I’m pretty sure I’m not the only writer who faces and deals with procrastination. So I thought I’d share something I discovered yesterday that is helping me write quite a bit in a short amount of time.
I decided yesterday that I wanted to write certain number of articles. At first, I felt very overwhelmed. But I knew if it was going to get done, I had to apply a lot of discipline and just do it without thinking about it.
That’s when I decided to try something different. I decided to just burst into writing, without taking any breaks or stopping to talk on the phone or chat online. What followed was a full hour of non-stop writing, resulting in four complete publishable articles.
How to Write in Bursts
First, stop thinking about writing. Just do it. I can talk myself out of writing any time. When I don’t feel like writing, I usually do just that. I tell myself it’s too hard. I can’t do it. I can’t think of anything to write. And then before I realize it, I’ve wasted an entire day (week…month…). Don’t think it through. Just write.
Second, tell someone you are going to write for one full hour, non-stop, then follow up with the results. Holding yourself accountable is one sure way to force yourself to get busy, whether you want to or not. Yesterday I plurked that I was going to write for an hour. When my hour was up, I went back and shared the results of my writing burst: 4 new articles.
Why Write In Bursts?
My one-hour writing burst yesterday taught me a valuable lesson. I control my output. It’s simply a matter of deciding what I want to accomplish, then doing it.
My writing burst yesterday was so productive that it inspired others to get busy writing. This morning a friend on Plurk asked me since I was so productive in one hour yesterday if I was going to double that today. I decided to do another 1-hour writing burst at noon, then work in two separate 30-minute writing bursts today (one this morning, one this afternoon).
If you’re feeling stuck or unproductive with your work schedule, maybe you need to shake things up. Instead of working all day with frequent interruptions and breaks, why not try a short writing burst instead? See how much you can get done in one hour with absolutely no breaks or interruptions.
One final note: One thing that contributed to my increased productivity during my writing bursts is that I do a lot of pre-writing. I like to outline my articles and blog posts by hand in a notebook, away from the computer (usually at night before I go to bed). Then I work from my notes and outlines when I sit down to write. In other words, these productive writing bursts are not produced from scratch.
Need accountability for your own Writing Bursts? Join me on Plurk! You need an invitation though, so click here.
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I agree with the pre-writing. With my weekly columns, I tend to think through everything in my head and dump stuff into a slot in Google Notebook esp dedicated just to that column. On the morning the column is due (I know, I know), it takes me very little time to write the actual piece. By that time, it’s all been pretty much outlined and organized in my head, and all the supporting material is right there on Google Notebook.
Cheers,
Marjorie
Marjories last blog post..As if this election couldn’t get any more interesting…
Marjorie
July 8th, 2008
Don’t you just love it when you surprise yourself like this and go, “Oh, gee! I just had to actually do something!”
I’m glad you mentioned the part about prewriting, as I was feeling a little insecure about my writing speed. There’s no way an hour could lead to four well-written articles from me! I can see how prewriting could make that happen, though.
lornadoone
July 8th, 2008
I think this is a fantastic idea and the thought of joining other writers for that hour just to WRITE beside each other is encouraging. I’d love to work out a time each day that suits multiple people and organizing a group Writing Burst.
Rebecca Laffar-Smiths last blog post..Do You Schedule Your Day?
Rebecca Laffar-Smith
July 9th, 2008
Fantastic tips!
Mark Salinass last blog post..Bosu Training
Mark Salinas
July 9th, 2008
Hi Hope,
Writing bursts have also helped me in the past. Although I normally write better when i go with the flow as in unplanned bursts. I got my daily ratio which I have to complete anyway and the sooner bI start in the day, the better I manage to get it doen without losing too much time.
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Monika Mundell
July 9th, 2008
@Marjorie & @Lornadoone: Pre-writing is a MUST for me. Without it, there’s no way I would ever be able to write that much in one hour.
@Rebecca: The encouragement you send and receive is extremely helpful.
@Mark: Thanks!
@Monika: I love unplanned bursts, too! I think it’s ideal to have planned time to write, then schedule in one or two quick Bursts at some point during the day.
Hope
July 10th, 2008
I do this too, only I set my timer for 15-30 minute intervals. It helps me stay focused. I learned that I can sometimes even write two articles in a 15 minute time frame, as long as it’s a subject I know well.
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Katherine
July 10th, 2008
[...] found that and more with Plurk. In fact, it’s thanks to a friends own Plurked Writing Bursts that I bring this post to you at last. I know, it’s still uninspired, dredged through mud, but [...]
Plurk Your Way To Action! — Writer’s Round-About - Rebecca Laffar-Smith
July 10th, 2008
Hope, thanks for sharing the tip about pre-writing. I seem to recall hearing this before but of course implementing is an entirely different beast. Definitely going to start writing in bursts too.
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Rhonda LaShae
July 11th, 2008
I just did something similar to this yesterday and the words finally came together! Great post!!!!
melissa
July 12th, 2008
This is a great idea, Hope. I’m going to try joining in with some of the bursts on Plurk next week
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Sharon Hurley Hall
July 17th, 2008
Thanks Sharon! I’m planning on pulling off more Writing Bursts in Plurk next week, too. Meet you there!
Hope Wilbankss last blog post..Make Exercise Fun For Your Family
Hope Wilbanks
July 17th, 2008
Hope, thanks for the great idea and inspiration! I do well writing in bursts, but never thought of planning them like this. And doing them with friends in Plurk is a super idea. Along that line, two writer friends of mine call each other on Skype each morning and, after brief greetings, write with Skype still connected so they can hear each other’s keyboard & other noises. That simple accountability has helped them both make a lot of progress on their writing projects.
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Joan Kremer
July 17th, 2008
I love the idea of using Skype that way! It’s amazing how diverse and helpful the internet can be to writers.
Hope Wilbankss last blog post..Make Exercise Fun For Your Family
Hope Wilbanks
July 17th, 2008
[...] Write in bursts (30-minutes or 1-hour at a time). [...]
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