You Need Focus To Be A Professional Writer

Writing as a hobby is fun. You get up in the morning, and if you are in the mood, you write. You might be in the doctor's office and have a great idea so off you go. There might be other times when you are just not in the mood, and for days (even weeks) you might go without putting a word on the page.

But, as a professional writer, you cannot just approach writing casually. You have deadlines. You have to get that story to your editor when you promised to. And this takes focus. 

Every day you write, you need to set yourself a plan and a target. No, this is not just a word count. What is going to happen in that scene. How are you going to get there. I don't care if you claim to be a panster, today you must stay focused. You have to have your eyes on the prize.

I know that some of you are now going to start complaining about life getting in the way, or that writing doesn't work that way. Sorry to say it, but you can create the environment for doing that. 

ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS - Move to a room where you are isolated. 

ENGAGE THE FAMILY - Your family should know and understand that writing is not just a hobby but a job. Make sure they pick up the slack when you are writing.

ELIMINATE SOCIAL MEDIA - You can stay off of social media while you write. Quit checking email, Facbook, Twitter, TicTok and Instagram. 

KEEP SNACKS AND WATER AVAILABLE - An easy distraction authors try is to say they are just getting up to get a snack or get some water. We know what you are doing, you are avoiding the task. Bring the supplies with you.

CREATE SMALLER TIME DEADLINES - One of my authors sets up timelines for each day she writes. She knows she has to be at a certain point by a certain time in the day. It works.

CREATE A REWARD - By the end of the typing, I get to... 

Finally, quit making excuses. Just write the darn stuff!