Here's How To Stop Procrastinating and Write Your Novel

Sometimes we treat writing like the dishes in the sink. 

We say we're going to do it, we tell other's were going to do it…

and then they disappear because your roommate decided to throw them out instead of scrapping off the layers of mold that had begun to grow on them. 

While your novel won't grow mold if left unattended, it's still better that you stop putting it off. 

Ready to lather up and write that novel?

Set The Bar Low 

Setting large goals for your writing might just be the thing that's holding you back. 

You may not have time to write 5000 words every day. 

Try writing 500.

Or 50.

Or 5.

You could write your book one word at a time and eventually it would get done. 

Start with small goals and as you make it a point to complete them slowly move the goal higher and further until writing 5000 words a day is something you can achieve without a second thought.

Set Deadlines 

Deadlines are a procrastinator's best friend - or worst enemy. 

If you have all the time in the world to write your novel then you are going to take all the time in the world to complete it.

Think back to school when the teacher would hand you a syllabus with all the due assignments of the year - you had all year to complete it so of course you waited until the week before to begin.

But you got it done on time. 

Give yourself a writing deadline. This can be a certain amount of words, chapters, or even the whole book. 

Make sure you post this deadline in big font somewhere you'll see it every day and even better - tell a partner or a friend or family member so that they can either remind you or hold you accountable for not completing it on time. 

Make A Plan 

You may have been putting off your writing because you don't know when to write. 

Go over your daily and weekly schedule. 

Where can you fit writing into it?

Can you wake up half an hour earlier to type up some words before you have to go to work or school?

Can you push out that episode of that show you've been waiting to watch until after you get your words in for the day?

Make a plan for where and when you're going to write and stick to it. 

You can start slow with one day a week and then slowly incorporate more days into your routine until you find a system that works for you. 

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In the end, procrastinating your writing won't end up with you in detention or with a bad grade written in splotchy red ink, but the longer you wait to write your novel the less likely you are going to. 

Ideas can slip away from us so even though you may have a solid understanding of the book you want to write now, in a few weeks or months down the line you may not be able to recall it. 

Stop putting off your writing. 

Write your novel. 

Go on.

Don't click on another article. 

Productive procrastination is still procrastination. 

Go write. 

With love, 

B.K. xo xo

Want to write with me live? I'm now on Twitch! Come join me in some writing sprints most days at 10:00 pm EST

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