There’s something about a writing project that makes procrastination especially easy, even when you’re motivated to do the project. An email conversation with a reader got me thinking more about this.
I’ll not go into all the reasons why I think it’s easy to procrastinate on writing projects and will instead focus on a common reason I see: many writers don’t start writing because they don’t think they’ll be able to finish the writing. In this case, end-goal thinking is getting in their way.
Because they’re not starting, they can’t start finishing.
A technique that I use and share with people is this: focus on writing 300 words about a given project.
Here are three aspects of the writing project you can write about:
- Substance – You can write 300 words of actual content: “10% of the whatnots are howzits, which means ….”
- Commentary – You can write something about the project or content. “I’m not quite sure of the best way to make the discussion of whatnots interesting. In fact, I’m now bored with whatnots. What originally got me interested in whatnots was ….”
- Structure – You can write something about the structure of the piece. “It seems to me that I need to talk about the whatnots first to provide context about the howzits, because otherwise ….”
I use this trick to great effect because I know I can write 300 words, at the same time that I rarely ever just write 300 words. The technique gives me an imminently attainable goal that I have no excuse not to achieve and focuses on the actual starting rather than on the finishing.
The next time you’re either stuck or procrastinating on a writing project, give yourself a goal of writing 300 words on it. (Click to tweet – thanks!)
You can. Will you?
I’m not clear about your meaning. For instance, I am writing a novel. Do you mean that I should write 300 words about the novel I am writing or 300 words on the actual novel? I have been procrastinating and would like to use your advice. However, I need some clarification. Thanks.
You can go either way, Charlotte. “Substance” = on the actual novel, whereas “about the novel” could either be structure or commentary.
Find one of your stuck points. Ask one of two questions: what is this character thinking/feeling OR what action/event will trigger this scene to move forward? (For novel writers, that’s a combo question: it addresses both structure and substance.)
Let me know if that dislodges something.
I wrote commentary on why I thought I was procrastinating on this novel. With my first attempt at this, I wrote over seven hundred words. It got me back into the mode of thinking about the novel and what excited me about it in the first place.
Thanks for letting us know how it worked for you, Charlotte. Getting excited all over again and thinking about the novel is a great first step, no?
I was very excited that I was actually back on track. However, a weekend of personal family obligations, then a medical issue to deal with yesterday, have interrupted my 300 words a day promise to myself. Today I find myself procrastinating again. It seems hardest to keep these self-promises once interrupted. I plan get started again today, however, even though for some reason, it is feels very difficult. Once started I have been writing more than the 300 words, however.
Wow, instant improvement. Thank you for this post!!
I just used “Structure” to get me out of a writers block. Once I started, my mind started taking over.
Gotta go because I have some writing to finish.
Mary
Thanks for taking a second to drop a note, and most importantly …
Write on, Mary! Write on. 🙂
This can be very effective, I am sure. I relate to it completely. Actually, you end up doing more or less just this (using the tips given here) when you are compelled to get started. But, knowing this conciously should help every time you are stuck. In fact, I am inclined to believe slight variation of these tips should fit all projects, not just writing, that you procrastinate. The fundamental principle is not to think about finishing it. Really good. Thanks.
You’re right, Saurabh. Similar techniques work across all kinds of creative endeavors. It’s “doing the work” that is what’s doing the work. 🙂
Absolutely fabulous! I am a future NYT Best Selling author but I have yet to write my book! I’ve been procrastinating by not actually thinking about what I can write. I have too many ideas, and no structure. You hit the nail on the head: Don’t start, don’t finish.
I am going to change my daily behaviour from “write for 10 mins” to “write 300 words in one of the three categories”. THANK YOU. I’ll keep you posted on how I do.
Thanks for letting me know this landed for you, Sarah. How has it gone for you?
Loved this article and will share the 300 word trick with my patients who tend to procrastinate in their writing. It’s all about starting! Focusing on the ground beneath your feet, so to speak, not the finish line. When I was recently asked to write a guest post for the Stoned Crow Press I was giving local NYC writers the same advice: http://www.stonedcrowpress.com/writing-101-why-failure-is-good-for-your-writing-career/572
I will share your article with them as well. Warmly,
Dr. Ben Michaelis
Yes, there’s a lot of convergence in our thinking here, Ben. I hope the Substance-Commentary-Structure suggestion helps make the “just write something” tip even easier to do, as there’s even less white space or word-fog with it.
I like this idea of writing 300 words a day. I will let you know how it works for me!