How To Be a More Productive Writer

As an amateur writer of poetry, like any author, I sometimes find myself getting into a creative slump. Now this (for me, at least) is not necessarily a product of 'writers block' as much as it is laziness & me just choosing to be unproductive.

As I enter the online writing world and poetry community more 'full force', I am trying to force myself (in the nicest way possible) to just DO IT. Write. Write. Write. No matter what gets down on the paper. Good, bad, or absolutely horrible.

With that being said, from my unproductive desk (the couch) to yours, here are some tips for being more productive as a writer.

Productivity Apps: Here's my favourite one!

We are now in the age of social media and apps, whether you like it or not. And whether you like it or not, social media and apps are bound to be a distraction to your work as a writer. But you can beat the distraction with productivity apps such as Forest (1.99$ on the App Store). For 'Forest,' the goal is simple. Plant a tree every time you want to focus. The tree will grow during your 'focus time'. If you leave the app, (go check Twitter, a text, your other tab on your laptop) your tree will be killed. Another great thing about this app is they partner with a real tree-planting organization, Trees For The Future. You can spend virtual coins you earn on the app to plant 'real' trees. The Forest team will donate to their partner and create orders of planting. So, you can focus and help the environment!

Figure out your 'zone'—pick a time to write that works for you.

Experiment a little and listen to yourself to find out when you work best. Are you a morning person? Do you write best after a good dinner? Do you stay up late and get lightbulbs going off at two in the morning? Figure out when you work best and change your routine, so you have time to write during your 'prime time'.

Don't be afraid of what people want to hear—write what you want to write/read.

Don't stop yourself from writing because you aren't up on the 'trends' of what other people want to read. Don't stop yourself from writing because people are more interested in Young Adult Fiction right now and you're writing is geared towards Non-Fiction readers. Write what you want to Write and what you'd like to Read. Don't focus on what's 'hot right now' . You do you.

Writing Prompts and Free Writing – For the Times You Are Unproductive Due to a Creative Block

So, you're stuck in a funk where you don't even know what you want to write—that's okay. In this particular case, write for other people. Well, not necessarily for other people, but take others prompts and put your own twist on them. There are so many articles for writing prompts online. For any genre. And there are many books/workbooks available in Book Stores with writing prompt concepts. A little google search will help you out a lot with this.

Another great tip is to free write. Write about anything that comes to mind. You can edit and make something of it later, or, just leave it be! At least you wrote something!

These are only a few tips on how to be a more productive writer - there are so many articles out there! Maybe I'll even do a Part 2! Until then, same goes for more tips, a little google search will help you out a lot.

Thanks for reading, hope to see you again soon!

Stay Creative

- Ali