{"id":237,"date":"2014-07-25T15:22:00","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T15:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.writingwhiledistracted.com\/?p=237"},"modified":"2015-07-25T11:57:09","modified_gmt":"2015-07-25T11:57:09","slug":"writers-block-i-dont-have-time-for-tha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.writingwhiledistracted.com\/?p=237","title":{"rendered":"Writer’s block? I don’t have time for that."},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Age: One Day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nThis is how old my kids were when I started writing my thesis.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n
\nThis is how old they were when I finished.<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
At the celebration lunch.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
You did it Mom!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\nOne year.  Did I mention that we moved out of state, and went on a trip that lasted a month? It was crazy hard, and sometimes I don’t know how I did it.<\/p>\n

I do know that I created some rituals and routines to keep my words flowing. I had a deadline. I could not wait until I felt like writing, or was inspired. Writer’s block was just not an option.
\nI found that creating small rituals helped me focus when I did have time to write. When I talk about rituals, I am talking about little things that reminded me that I was at the keyboard for a reason. Here are some tips to help you stay on track and keep your writing project going.<\/p>\n

1. Use every second. Work when you can. Even if it is only for thirty minutes, it will add up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yep, I worked every time they napped.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

2. Always take five minutes at the end of your work session to make a note to yourself about what you need to write, or accomplish the next time you work. This saves time when get back to writing, and keeps the project moving forward.<\/p>\n

3. Keep your project materials together. Searching for materials wastes time, and distracts you from writing.<\/p>\n

4. Find a way to organize your notes and materials that works for you. Once you find a way, stick with it until the end of the project. If you are tempted to stop work to reorganize, resist. Reorganizing is a huge waste of time. If you want to try a different method, save it for the next project.<\/p>\n

5. Write, even when you don’t feel like writing, when you want to quit, when you are sick and tired, and would rather do anything else. Keep going. <\/p>\n

6. Ask for help when you need it. I had a babysitter once a week for six hours. I did not go to the grocery store, do laundry, sleep or any of the hundred other things that needed to be done. Guard your work time.<\/p>\n

7. If you work with music on, create a playlist that you use for all your work sessions for your project. Music can help shift your mood, and stimulate your writing. My playlist was called “Write the MotherF*$^er”.  I still use it.<\/p>\n

8.  Make yourself accountable to someone. If you are in school, this would be your advisor. If you are working on your own, find a critique group or writing partner.<\/p>\n

9. Do not point a baby you just fed at your research notebook. This is a bonus tip. I was cleaning out my project files last week  and I found my thesis research notebook. It still smells faintly of baby vomit.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

10. Believe. Believe in your project. Believe in your ability.<\/p>\n

I believe in you. Get to work.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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