In graduate school, my advisor cautioned me against finding the perfect time and place to write. He had a highly successful career despite raising four children along with his wife, also a professional academic. In graduate school, I thought that it was possible to carve out these perfect three-hour-plus blocks of time that would allow me to infinitely create and craft great research and writing. Even then, that never seemed to be the case. There were always classes to prepare for, commutes to make to campus, and graduate assistantship obligations to fulfill. The great swaths of time I had envisioned in the writer’s utopia of my imagination became fewer and further between.
Long periods of time to write truly are the writer’s dream, an infinite Valhalla of prose that can make the difference between finishing a draft on time or falling further behind. But for most people, these opportunities are seldom few. The rarity of open periods of writing time make it essential to use them wisely by developing practices that will keep you focused and productive whenever you write.
Below, I will consider a few practices that have helped me stay energized as a writer.
1. Take Notes Often
If you are anything like me, you might have ideas for writing that drift about in your head, but that you never capture in print. Some of my best sentences have come about at the least opportune times (think out on a walk in the woods or in the middle of a shower—everyone’s favorite fount of inspiration).
You will never be able to completely capture everything that flows through your brain. But if you write down some of your best ideas on a notepad, in the Notes app on your phone, or even a scrap of paper you shove into your purse or wallet, you’ll have something that may inspire you later on.
When I research, I also take copious notes that I can return to when I write, along with proper citation information. This allows me to have a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips without continuously returning to the library or internet to gather resources.
2. Slip Away from Distractions
If you don’t live alone and have to deal with roommates, spouses, children, or even just noisy neighbors, find times you can slip away from distractions and get writing. This might mean getting up earlier or going to bed later than others you share a space with. But it also may mean designating a home office or just a favorite couch, chair, or table and making that your writing space.
You also don’t have to have just one space or one way to find focus. Even though I have a home office, I tend to do my personal work from the kitchen table or even the living room. Find whatever keeps you focus and do it. It is also advisable to get up and move around once every 40–60 minutes to refresh your brain. But don’t worry, your favorite work space will be there for you when you come back!
3. Find the Right Tools
Choosing the right medium for your writing can go the extra mile in making you a successful, regular writer. In academic, professional, and personal settings, I have used a laundry list of word processors (some free, others paid) and note-taking tools ranging from pencils and notebooks to pricey computer systems.
Despite how they are advertised, tools do not write for you and even the most impressive and expensive arsenal of writing programs will not necessarily make you a better writer. But having an array of resources at your disposal that suit the style of writing you compose and—just as importantly—your own personal preferences and work habits, can help you become more successful in your writing efforts.
As a recent Mac convert, I have found great success with the Ulysses writing app, which runs on Apple devices and allows me to limit distractions as I write. However, I have written some of my best work in Google and Microsoft products. Find what works with you, and don’t be afraid to change things up if your current system is failing to produce the results you desire.
4. Drink and Eat What Gives You Energy
Often, a favorite food or beverage can get you into the writing spirit. I am not advocating for the over-indulgence in caffeinated beverages, but I have found that a smooth glass of cold brew coffee or a strong cup of black tea can do wonders to remove the haziness in my brain and give me focus to write.
It is worth saying a word here for moderation: while coffee or tea can kick-start your morning or sustain you through the afternoon, the law of diminishing returns is applied well in this situation. If caffeine works for you, use it when you need to. Drinking too much can be counterproductive and cause you to lose focus.
A better alternative to coffee and tea can be high-energy foods like fruit and vegetable smoothies, high-protein dishes like beans and greens, and avoiding carbohydrates. At different times in my career, I have been pleasantly surprised how much eating good food makes me feel more awake, focused, and productive in my writing.
5. Carve Out Time Whenever Possible
My biggest piece of advice to become a focused writer is to carve out time for your craft whenever possible. I do not mean that you should forgo other work obligations, family gatherings outdoors, or inspirational trips to museums and gardens. I don’t even mean giving up watching your favorite sports team or television program. Simply put, look for a few extra minutes in your day that you can use for writing.
Most of us have extremely busy lives. Or, at the minimum, lives that feel busy to us. But I have amazed myself with how often I can write for a few minutes before or after dinner and produce something that is worth saving. Even if it is only two or three hundred words, you can make progress on your most significant writing projects with just a small, consistent effort.
It also helps me build the discipline of writing regularly. Between my work as a content writer and the writing I do in my spare time, I am creating something nearly every day. Daily practice has helped me become adept at writing even when I don’t have a lot of time. So, when I do have that elusive block of several hours to write, I am able to make the most of it through focus and discipline.
Make Writing Your Priority
Ultimately, there is not one single formula for ensuring that you stay focused and productive when writing. The most successful writers use a variety of tactics to achieve the results they desire, including many I haven’t mentioned here. But by doing what it takes to create an environment where you are successful, even when you cannot block hours of time, will help you become the writer you want to be.
The irony of writing this post is that I was able to do it in a block of time I did not expect to have. But by being prepared with a good meal and a dedicated workspace away from distractions, I was ready to focus and maximize the time now available to me.
One more thing to say: there is no shame in how often you are at liberty to write. For many of us, it might not be every day or every week. But becoming more focused whenever you have the opportunity to write will make you proud and feel as though you have been productive with the time given to you.