Few people know that being highly creative is not a matter of intelligence but rather a willingness to work on it. In our lives, we’ve all probably picked up some good and bad organizational habits, but regardless of where we are now, we can all do with a little improvement. The following hacks may require you to break up with entrenched bad habits. It’s probably going to be difficult, but it’s worth it. Let’s do it!
1. Eliminate all the distractions in your Writing Studio
If you want to be a successful writer, you need to get rid of all the distractions in your studio. That means no more TikTok, no more Facebook, no more Instagram, and definitely no more movies or video games in your writing studio. And yes, that means putting away your phone too. It may seem like a lot to ask, but if you want to achieve your artistic goals, it’s essential. I’m not saying you should eliminate these from your life—trust me I play plenty of games and watch tons of TikToks. Just keep them out of your studio! By eliminating distractions, you’ll be able to focus on your work and produce your best art. If a tool (i.e. phone, iPad, etc…) hasn’t been optimized to help you get your writing done it shouldn’t be in your studio. So put those distractions away and get to work!
2. Clean up your writing space after your write
If you want to write a novel, then it’s important to keep your studio clean and organized. Clutter can interfere with creativity, so make sure that all of your books and supplies are in their proper place after your writing session. This way, when you come back to work the next day, everything will be in its place, making it easier for you to dive right back into your project without having to search through piles of stuff for what you need. You might take 5-10 minutes at the end of each writing session to organize your space – this can help keep up motivation levels and will be essential for those long days when all you want to do is give up. I typically tidy up my desk as the last thing I do before finishing work for the day. It’s part of my Workday Shutdown Ritual, for those familiar with Michael Hyatt and his Full Focus Planner. It’s an easy, repetitive task, doesn’t require much mental effort, and it sets me up for a productive day tomorrow.
3. Create a designated space for each Novel Writing Stage
Any good novel goes through several stages before it’s ready to be published. The spaces you do this work and the tools you’ll need to finish the job will vary from stage to stage. If you’re using a macOS taking advantage of the Focus Mode to create designated spaces is a great way to get started! Even if you’re on a PC, you might considering organizing your computer in a way that you can easily access the tools you need for each stage of the writing process.
When brainstorming I typically use a combination of Scrivener and Scapple to come up with a general idea of where to start the story and to help me discover who the hero will be. When I move on to outlining I often go analog first and pull out my notecards and corkboard. I pull ideas from Scapple and Scrivener and start to get more specific, mapping out each scene and chapter. Sometimes I start in Scrivener and outline the novel using the corkboard and then print out the index cards and pin them on my board. I find the repetition and different approaches allow me to use different parts of my brain, resulting in a more compelling story.
While I appreciate an analog approach, I won’t be handwriting or typing my draft on a typewriter anytime soon. I actually have a typewriter and while it’s a fun experience, I wouldn’t recommend it. I really appreciate having great tools like computers and Scrivener to get my writing done. I rarely write in just one place. I grab my MacBook and hit the road.
When revising, I use tools like ProWritingAid, Scrivener, and the help of my peers to help me create my best work. And when formatting, I may export my work to Vellum, InDesign, or another Desktop Publishing tool to add the final touches.
Creating a designated space for each stage of novel writing can help you stay organized and focused. Brainstorming can happen anywhere, but it’s helpful to have a designated space where you can keep all your ideas together. When it’s time to start outlining, move to a new space so you can focus specifically on that task. Writing should also take place in its own dedicated area, so you can eliminate distractions and focus solely on the task at hand. The same goes for revising, editing, formatting, and publishing – having a specific place where you work on each stage will help you stay focused and produce your best work.
4. Use dividers, shelves, and software to organize your writing tools and notes
If you’re a writer, you probably have a lot of tools and notes that you need to keep organized. Dividers, shelves, and software can all be helpful in this process. Scrivener is a popular writing program that can help you organize your thoughts and ideas. Scapple is another program that allows you to create mind maps and brainstorm. Taking the time to organize your writing tools and notes can save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run.
5. Hang up pictures or posters that inspire you to write
In 2006, Gail Carson Levine published Writing Magic – her book on writing that has been helping aspiring authors ever since. Within it’s pages, I found an inspiring quote that I hang in my writing studio to this day!
It’s titled “The Writer’s Oath” and it’s a promise I’ve made to myself to help me become a better writer. The Oath states:
“I promise solemnly—
- to write as often and as much as I can,
- to respect my writing self, and
- to nurture the writing of others
I accept these responsibilities and shall honor them always!
And that’s exactly what I aim to do. By surrounding myself with things that inspire me, I’m able to stay motivated and focused on my writing goals. What kinds of pictures, posters, or quotes do you have lining your walls? Nothing yet? Then go find something that speaks to you and post it up! Having inspiring words or images around will help you stay motivated and remind you why you decided to become a writer in the first place.
6. Make a list of your writing goals and stick to it
Most writers will tell you that one of the keys to success is setting deadlines and sticking to them. Whether you’re working on a novel, a short story, or even just a blog post, setting deadlines for yourself can help you stay on track and make steady progress. It’s essential to be both practical and ambitious in your goals; don’t be afraid to challenge yourself! A little tension is good, but too much of it and you’ll burn out quickly.
At the start of each writing session, it’s helpful to make a list of what you want to accomplish that day. This way, you won’t get overwhelmed with too much in one session and you’ll be able to break down your tasks into manageable chunks.
Speaking of manageable chunks, deadlines aren’t the only important thing; you should also map out key milestones. Milestones are smaller goals that you can reach along the way to your deadline, and they can help keep you motivated and focused. For example, if your goal is to finish a novel in six months, you might break that down into smaller milestones, such as writing a certain number of words each week or completing a certain number of chapters. Whatever your goals may be, remember to be realistic and give yourself time to achieve them. And most importantly, don’t forget to have fun! Writing should be something you enjoy not just a check on your to-do list, so make sure your goals reflect that.
7. Take breaks and reward yourself for completing tasks
Personally, I love taking breaks, but when I’m in the heat of the moment, pouring my soul on the page it can actually be a bit frustrating to hear my timer ringing in reminding me that my mind and body need a breather! Sometimes I even allow myself to keep going if the muse is particularly strong, but it’s critical you take breaks, or else your writing (and health) may ultimately suffer.
I know. Taking breaks may seem like it would be counter-productive, but it can actually be a great way to increase your productivity and allow your body to rest from the exciting, yet strenuous job that is writing.
When you take a break, even just for a few minutes, it gives your mind a chance to rest and rejuvenate. This can help you return to your work with fresh energy and new ideas. In addition, taking breaks can help to prevent burnout. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or stressed, taking a short break can help you to reset and come back with renewed focus. On particularly rough writing days, breaks act as a reward that gets me started and keeps me going. On days when I’m feeling motivated, these breaks keep me from overexerting myself and becoming overwhelmed or burnt out.
Well, we’ve determined that we should take breaks, but how and what should we do when we take them? I like to treat breaks like a reward for a job well done! It makes it easier to take a break when I don’t want to stop and gives me something to look forward to on days I’m unmotivated.
There are many different ways to take breaks. One popular method is the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. You can also just set a timer for 15 minutes and work until it goes off, then take a 5-minute break. The timing of your sessions and breaks is up to you. During your break, you can do something healthy like a snack of some fruit or vegetables, or something that will help you relax like playing a quick game or spending some time on social media. Ideally, you get out of your writing studio during your break so that you can fully clear your mind.
Conclusion paragraph: Every writer is different, and has their own process for getting words on the page. But these are a few tricks that seem to work well for most people – tricks that you can borrow and make your own. By clearing away distractions, creating designated spaces for each stage of writing, and using helpful tools and dividers, you can set yourself up for success. Hang pictures or posters that inspire you, make a list of your goals, and take breaks – but make sure to reward yourself for completing tasks! How do you stay organized in your writing studio? Let me know in the comments below!
