By KAREN BARNETT,
author of the Vintage National Parks novels
In a perfect
world, we’d have unlimited time to let the creative juices flow with our
writing, but sometimes the clock is ticking. How do you get great words on the
page when you’re facing a tight deadline? Here are six tips to help you meet
your goal.
- Write
wherever
Most of us like to be at our quiet desk with a fragrant candle burning, but we don’t always have that luxury. So, take your work with you. Waiting at the doctor’s office? Mechanic? School pick up? Use the time. I’ve worked through all of these, plus dance competitions, the playground, and sitting in the back of workshops. It’s challenging to write in these situations, but it’s possible when you try. Set a small goal for yourself: 100 words, 50 words, two sentences. Every little bit counts. - Write
whenever
Are you a morning writer, or do you prefer the dead of night? When you’re on a deadline, you might have to push yourself to write at other times. Force yourself to do a 30-minute writing sprint in the morning before your shower or a quick fifteen minutes as your kids tackle the dishes. They might not be your most productive sessions, but sometimes you must wring out your clock like a sponge. - Write on
whatever
Don’t own a laptop—how about a pencil? J. K. Rowling wrote most of her first drafts on scraps of paper, including airsick bags. You might discover that writing longhand opens a different part of the creative mind. I’ve met at least two authors who have written novels on their phones. Their PHONES. No excuses! - Get
away
I’ve heard from many authors who find it hard to write in public spaces (see #1), but some of us struggle to write at home. Projects are calling out: laundry, dishes, e-mails. I sometimes find it easier to head to the library or coffee. Noise cancelling headphones can deaden nearby conversations and signal to others that you’re busy. - Set a
timer.
There is something about knowing that I have four hours to write that encourages my brain to daydream. How do I fix this? Set a timer for 30 minutes and focus only on writing for this period. Race the clock. No snacks, no bathroom breaks, no phone calls, and especially no social media. At the end, take a five-minute break, get up, and move around. Then repeat. Try it! - Turn off
your internet. When
I’m struggling with a scene, I’ll often dart over to FB to “clear my
head.” BIG mistake. Forty-five minutes later, I’m watching videos about
baby giraffes. I solve this by manually turning off the wi-fi on my
computer and making sure my phone isn’t within arm’s reach. No distractions.
These are some of
my methods of squeezing out a few more words while on deadline. What works best for you?
KAREN BARNETT,
author of the Vintage National Parks novels, is a former park ranger. She
worked as a ranger naturalist and outdoor educator at Mount Rainier National
Park, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, and Oregon’s Silver Falls State Park. When
not writing, Karen enjoys photography, hiking, and public speaking. She lives
in Oregon with her family. Her newest novel, Ever Faithful, releases
June 18, 2019. Learn more at KarenBarnettBooks.com. Social Meda Links: Website/Blog: http://www.KarenBarnettBooks.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KarenBarnettAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/KarenBarnett
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