More Productivity Tips for Writers and Authors

The challenge at the beginning of the month was to write a novel in 30 days.

On November 28th I typed my 50,000th word!

I then spell checked the whole document and managed to find another 15 bonus words. Apparently ‘shinpads’ is not a word. Who’d have thought?

Anyway, the first draft is complete. I’ve done a read through. It should, sort of, make sense if someone sat down to read it today. I’ve heard that this is apparently the true test of whether a draft has reached the hallowed stage of first draft and is not just a load of words on a page (or a hundred and two pages).

To come full circle it is only right and fitting that I complete the 30 Productivity Tips. So here are tips 25-30.

Disclaimer – This list of tips is not limited. These are only pointers that I have picked up from a year and half of listening to podcasts and reading writing and productivity books. If you have anymore tips then please let me know. Also, none of these are silver bullets. You’ve actually got to do the work to come out with a book at the end of 30 days.

Productivity Tip #25 – One PC for Work

One of my favourite podcasters is Joanna Penn from the Creative Penn podcast and blog. She has been writing and self-publishing for 10 years and if I am where she is in 10 years than I would be as happy as a tickled toddler.

She has 2 computers.

One is used exclusively for writing which only has Scrivener on it and nothing else (not even the internet!)

One is used for business for example, podcasting, editing, emailing, researching, etc.

She even uses the laptops in different locations. Business in the office. Writing in the café.

This separation allows her mind to associate different working patterns and locations with different tasks. When she turns on her writing laptop her brain is already slipping into the writing frame of mind.

It’s genius.

If only I had an old laptop lying around…

Productivity Tip #26 – Don’t Check the Word Count

Yes the target of the whole month is to try and get as many words down as possible but if you check the word count every 5 minutes you’ll be like a commuter waiting for a train. Time will feel like it’s slowing down.

Or maybe it's just the terrible rail service in Britain. It's probably not the best analogy!

Instead of thinking about the word count, think about the part of the story you are telling. Tell it in the best way you know how. And only after you have finished the whole section / chapter / scene, allow yourself to check how well you have done.

More often than not you will have exceeded your word count or, if you are honest with yourself, you will already know that you are under target.

Productivity Tip #27 – Being Ill is No Excuse Not to Write.

I’m sure that double negative makes sense. I think.

If you can say yes to any of the following:

You are busting a major case of the snotties
You’re feeling like the world has ended because your favourite boy band has just split up
You’re just not feeling the writing mojo today

Then get the smeg over yourself!!

Anyone reading the book won’t give a monkey’s banana what state of mind or body you were in when you wrote it.

No bin man ever said, I don’t feel like collecting the bins today, and then stayed at home with his feet up and a cup of Horlicks. If they did, they wouldn’t last long in the waste disposal sector, that's for sure.

In fact, that thing you are writing right now. It’s a first draft. No one is going to read it anyway.

So get your arse in gear and get down to some writing. Stop making ridiculous excuses.

Productivity Tip # 28 – Podcast It Up

If (and only if) you can’t physically write then listen to some inspiring podcasts.

I’m thinking you’re driving. Or you’re in the cinema. Or your arms have been chopped off.

Actually, if your arms have been chopped off, that’d be an amazing story.

Make sure you look into dictation as a form of writing and let me know when you’re book’s out!

Where was I? Oh yes. Podcasts.

Some of my favourite include:

CreativePenn – Joanna Penn. British. Lives in Bath. Writes thrillers and writer non-fiction. Bit of a legend on the self-publishing scene. Is hilarious though she doesn’t know it which is very cute.
Smart Author – Mark Coker from Smashwords (an online distributor for ebooks). His voice is a little on the dull side (sorry!) but he is perfect for those just starting out on their self-publishing journey as he covers all the key basic stuff you need to know.
Self-Publishing School – Chandler Bolt. CEO of SPS and general enthusiastic American. Don’t hold it against him! This is more for those who are creating a non-fiction business book though there is some cross over. Most of his guests are enthusiastic Americans too. It’s kinda intense!
Self-Publishing Podcast – Johnny, Shaun and Dave. Three American lads who excel at collaborative writing in all sorts of fiction and non-fiction genres. Johnny and Shaun rip it out of Dave on a weekly basis for being a grumpy anti-social hermit. They are very funny and passionate about writing.
Book-Marketing Podcast – Dave Chesson. A very new podcast (only 8 episodes at the time of writing) but an engaging guy with some relevant topics and guests.
Sell More Books Show – Jim Kukral and Bryan Cohen. These are two big hitters in the self-publishing world but I’d say their podcast is a little advanced for beginner writers. 3 writing tips and 5 pieces of news each episode.
Riff-Raff – Amy Baker and Rosy Edwards. Special mention to these two girls who are trailblazing in the London writers’ scene. If you want to go down the traditional published route then this podcast is definitely worth a listen. Also, I reviewed fellow YesTriber Amy’s book in my newsletter a couple of month’s ago.

Productivity Tip #29 – The Final Sprint

Athletes use a technique called visualisation when they are racing. They will imagine the feelings they will have when they cross the line in first place. They actually see an image of them breaking the tape, the medal going round their neck, everything.

Why don’t you imagine what it will be like to achieve your writing goals? How will you feel?

Productivity Tip #30 – Reward Yourself

You’re here. You’ve done it. You’ve spent 30 days non-stop writing and you’ve knocked out more words than a boxer in a scrabble factory.

Whether you’ve achieved your target or not, you’ve still written more words than 95% of the people in the country. You should be proud.

After these 30 manic, crazy, inspiring, depressing, exciting, dramatic and boring days you deserve a reward.

What will it be?

A manicure for those tired fingers?
A night on the tiles for all those social engagements you missed?
A massage for your aching shoulders from being slumped over a computer keyboard?

Whatever you choose, treat yourself. You deserve it.

Oh, and put your book away for a week. You need a break. Do something different and don’t worry about editting for at least 7 days. It will be so much easier to come back to it with fresh eyes.

If you're still here reading this monster blogpost well done (and thank you!). You might be interested in any of the following:

Additionally I have news of an exciting development coming soon for all adventure writers. I can't say much about it at the moment yet but I know it's going to be something pretty special!

If you want to find out what it is before anyone else, then feel free to join my monthly newsletter (which will be coming out 30th Nov this month!).