Writing time is sacred, so make this your mantra: “Write when it’s time to write.” No matter what the temptation, sit down and write.
Write, Don’t Research
Set aside separate time for researching. Research can be seductive, luring you in to hours of following links and looking for quotations. You need to do it, but not when it’s time to write.
Write, Don’t Edit
Yes, rewriting and revision are an important part of writing, but don’t edit when it’s time to write. Make your editing a separate block of time.
Write, Don’t Plan Your Writing
When it’s time to write, you should be ready to go. Make sure you know what you’re going to write before you start your writing time. There are two ways to do that.
You can set aside separate time to plan your writing. That works for some folks. What works better for me is planning the next piece of writing as I finish the last one. I call it the Firefighter Rule.
Bottom Line
Writing won’t happen unless you’re conscious about making it happen. Start by setting aside the specific times that you are going to write. Do all the things you need to set up your writing time beforehand. Do your research. Plan your writing. Use other time to edit what you’ve already written. Then, when it’s time to write, turn off distractions, close the door, and write.
