I am a procrastinator. I'm the first to admit it. Every writing course and professional writer will tell you the trick to being a professional writer is to write every day without fail, but if I'm not on a deadline I will while away months working on the same project here and there when I feel like it. Recently, though, I've learned a trick to keep myself writing at a consistent pace. Rewards!
When I finish an outline of my script I stop writing and give myself a reward. When I finish the first act, reward. Hell, sometimes when I'm working with my writing partner and we finish a particularly long, tough scene I call it quits for the day and we reward ourselves. The reward itself doesn't have to be anything huge. In fact, it should be proportional to the size of the victory.
For small wins, like finishing a tough scene, rest is reward enough. I stop writing and go outside or take a break from the computer to read a book or catch up on an episode of whatever TV series I'm falling behind on binging. For a larger accomplishment, like finishing a draft or finishing a fellowship application, I go for a latte or go out to eat somewhere nice (or get awesome take-out during quarantine).
You can tailor the reward to yourself, but especially take advantage of stopping writing for the day to do something else. It's important to acknowledge the wins when they come. This gets your brain into a cycle of positive reinforcements, like "When I achieve I get a prize!" It refocuses your brain away from thoughts like "I don't have enough pages," or " I'm still not finished."
This is an important step, because you'll find that instead of looking at your computer in dread you will actually be looking forward to sitting down and typing. You'll look forward to that break afterward, where the pressure of "I should be writing right now" is off. You shouldn't be writing right now. You're taking your well-earned break. Enjoy it!
It's also important to set a new goal for each new writing session. Do you want to write for two hours straight? Do you want to finish a scene? Maybe you just want to focus on one character that day and really make sure they are well fleshed out. Whatever the goal, have the intention and reward set before you start.
Now, there are going to be days that you won't reach your goal. It happens. Sometimes we aim too high or just can't get the momentum going. In that case, you can't give yourself the reward or you're not reinforcing positive actions, but negative ones. You don't get the latte, and you don't get the break from writing. If you just can't continue your current project switch to another. Switch from a script to a poem or blog post. Write a tweet. But keep writing something. If you didn't finish what you set out to, make it your goal to finish tomorrow and keep that reward in mind. You'll have a head start tomorrow because of all today's work!
The last key to rewarding your productivity is setting realistic goals. If you consistently set goals that are unattainable you will always feel like you failed. Try setting goals that are realistic for the amount of energy you have on a given day. That way, if you are able to write beyond your goal you're a rockstar! Go take that nap you've been wanting to take for three years but never did. On the other hand, if your goals are too easily accomplished you may be enjoying all the episodes of Ozark, but not actually getting very far in your work. Be realistic.
When you're motivated you'll generally find that the pages come. And here's a secret. They don't have to be brilliant pages! Just get words on the page. Write down the bad example to the line you wanted in the scene. It counts! You can always go back and fix it later. Give that task its own reward for all the bonus points. Soon you'll have a terrible to mediocre draft finished and you can get to the real work, rewriting! Oh joy. But you'll have a draft. That's more than you could say before. So grab a beer take a bubble bath, because you earned it.
And if you're just starting a new project look for my post soon about never having to stare at the dreaded blank page again.
Happy writing!
Holly Holstein is a Los Angeles based writer with over ten years creating content. She writes independent reviews and articles and is not compensated for her posts. If you enjoy her articles, please sign up to become a member!
Comments