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How is your writing going?  Are you writing most days and getting words on paper?  Fantastic job!  Having words on paper is a great start.  Once you get into the habit of daily writing, you can start working on structuring those words.  Once you understand the structure, you can order those words as you write them.

Bit #15 – Structure Your Writing

The structure of an introduction often follows this format…

1. Describe a situation.
2. Describe a problem or question that arises from the situation.
3. Describe how others have responded to the problem or question.
4. Explain a need to approach the problem or question differently or expand on what has already been done (niche).
5. Describe your action in response.

Introductions are not the only part of a manuscript with structure; the other sections also follow a structure.  While different journals have various requirements (you should always check the journal’s website for specifics), basic structure elements exist.

The amazing Pat Goodson, the author of Becoming an Academic Writer and 90 Days 90 Ways (click images to learn more), created a template (see link below) to help us think about structure as we get our words down on paper. When you begin writing, start with a basic structure of headings and subheadings, then you can put your words down where they most likely fit. 

You will always need to add, modify, reorganize, etc., but starting with a structure adds logic to your writing.

Article Template:  

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13o4YeP0Ospu6cCp9xNSB_9KP7Izbrf4B/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113394236302586921952&rtpof=true&sd=true 

How is your writing going?  Celebrate your successes! AND…Remember, instead of dwelling on what you did not get done last week, schedule the writing time you need this week to move forward. 

Bit #14 – Use a Timer

When you schedule a block of writing time, say 30 minutes, for tomorrow, how do you stay on track?  When you separate your generating and editing, dedicating time to each task, how do you make sure you do not waste time watching the clock during the task?  

The trick is to USE A TIMER! 🙂

Whether you are using a timed writing technique (like the Pomodoro Technique) or just maximizing your scheduled time, a timer helps you focus on your writing and not on all of the other things you need to accomplish.  

Furthermore, if you are not looking forward to your scheduled writing time (that happens to all of us), a timer can help change your mindset (e.g., “I don’t want to write.  I only have to write for 30 minutes today.  I can do anything for 30 minutes.”).

If you are not currently using a timer, try it today (your smartphone probably has a great built-in timer).  Get ready to write (check what you have scheduled to write, open up everything you need), turn off distractions, set your timer, and WRITE.  You will be amazed at how fast the timer will go off, and you can celebrate your accomplishments.

Bit #3 – Schedule Your Writing

You’ve heard me say (possibly multiple times by now) that scheduling writing time each week is possibly the most important strategy you can do to increase your writing productivity.  Our time is one of the most valuable things we possess, and we need to continually strive to control our time instead of allowing our time (or lack of it) to control us.

For writing, that means sitting down with your calendar or planner each week and blocking off chunks of time dedicated to writing.  When something is on your calendar, you are more likely to accomplish it. 

Your challenge for today involves scheduling your writing for this week.  If you have already set aside time almost every day to write, congratulations, you are on your way to a successful week of writing.  If you have not already scheduled writing for this week, follow the steps below.

1. Get out your calendar and evaluate your week.  Where do you have free blocks of time?  These time segments do not need to be large, just available.
2. With the available times, think about where you think you would be most successful writing.  Do you write better in the morning?  Afternoon?  Evening?
3. Block off at least one 20-minute segment of time each day (or at least five days during the week) that aligns with when you think you will be most successful writing.  These times can be consistent each day or just where you have space.  If you have been writing for smaller blocks of time pretty consistently, challenge yourself to increase your time blocks.  Maybe add five minutes to each one.
4. Now sit back and admire your organization. 🙂  You have set up your week for writing success. 

You may have heard the old question, “How do you eat an Elephant…” 

This quote is attributed to General Creighton Abrams, a captain in Belgium during WWII. This concept goes beyond the battlefield to any large task you are undertaking, including writing.

Bit #13 – One Bite At A Time

The beginning of a semester or year is a great time to get ahead. If you find yourself in the middle of something though, you can still organize your projects to increase your productivity.  Begin by looking at your syllabi (if you are a student) and any other projects you are working on.  What writing projects are you currently engaged in? What projects are on the horizon?

Get out your calendar and mark your due dates now (if there is no assigned due date, create one yourself, so you have something you are working toward).  Then, work your way backward from those due dates. 

To do this, break your writing tasks into manageable chunks (see examples below).  All writing tasks have natural chunks or parts to them.  

Then assign each chunk to blocks on your calendar (since you are scheduling your writing each week).  Tasks always appear more manageable when you see smaller (completely doable) tasks to tackle instead of one giant, looming assignment.

Example #1: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qUOh1AYlLSj5d3y1h81zI9X98F8qCVP0/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106760167239105909174&rtpof=true&sd=true

Example #2: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E_Crf3qkq_x9y0qyi-lfIKAgwPCV_eywYWGaGLlR0CM/edit?usp=sharing

Bit #12 – Finding a Writing Space

There are many challenges to maintaining a consistent writing practice.  One of the most common is not finding a dedicated writing space and instead trying to fit in writing whenever and wherever you can without a plan.  While making time to write is most important (even if you are writing in a not great space), having one or several sets of spaces that increase your writing productivity can lead to greater success.  Your writing space does not have to be a dream location, just somewhere you can be productive.  Almost any space can be turned into a good writing space.

So, how do you find a good writing space?

1. Find a place with minimal distractions.  If your space is not private, consider making yourself a sign, so people know you are writing and do not want to be distracted.  Using headphones can also minimize distractions.
2. Fill your space with things that inspire you and fuel your creativity (e.g., quotes, items, and photographs can be placed almost anywhere; what about a hot cup of tea?).
3. Make sure your space has the tools you need to be successful.
4. Determine where you can find a balance of comfort and productivity.  Do you write best at a desk?  On the floor?  Outside?  On a laptop?  In a journal?  (You may want to write relaxed on a couch with a blanket and hot chocolate, but if that environment makes you start to fall asleep, you might want to try a less comfortable option.)
5. Periodically check in with yourself and make sure your writing space is working for you.  If it is not, try a new location.  You will never know what works best for you until you try different options.

Regardless of your writing space, it is most important to write.  Write in your writing space when you can, but do not use the lack of a great space to keep you from writing.  As the great writer E. B. White, said, “A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.”  

Where are you going to write today? 

Bit #11 – Writing Enhancement Tools

I have never been great at mastering grammar.  Luckily, resources exist to assist me with the grammar (and many other aspects) in my writing.

Two tools I recommend include Grammarly (grammarly.com)   and Pro Writing Aid (prowritingaid.com). 

Both tools provide suggestions for improving my writing. These free resources (paid options are available) can either be used through the web or downloaded as an extension (my favorite…see below).  Bonus, the Grammarly extension also checks my email (see attachment).

Try one today!

Today’s Bit looks a little different than our usual posts.  I recently walked through an activity Helen Sword includes in her book Air & Light & Time & Space, where she talks about the importance of sentence length and word choice.

This activity led me to create a resource I hope you find helpful.

Bit #10 – Sentence Diagnostics

As writers, we must think about the words we use when we write.  Is our writing active?  Do we use concrete nouns and verbs that make our writing more clear?  

The activity Helen Sword discusses in her book helped me strengthen the sentence structure of my writing a great deal, and I wanted to share the activity with you.  The video below walks you through the Sentence Diagnostic Activity, allowing you to diagnose your word choice and agreement (subject, verb, object).  While the video itself is a bit long (about 30 min), the learning is worth it. 

Video Link:  https://youtu.be/1mAVGKvCGl8

Have you celebrated your writing success lately? If so, great! You should! If not…why not?

Bit #9 – Goal Setting and Celebrating Success

As I mentioned when we discussed tracking or logging your writing, writing is not often tangible. You can spend hours with little to show for your effort. Most often, celebrating writing success comes when a project is completed (e.g., publication, turned-in assignment, etc.). We should not wait until the end of the writing project.  

To increase productivity and sustainability, we need to celebrate all stages of writing, not just the milestones.

So, how do we know what to celebrate? Start by setting goals for your writing. These can be micro (short-term) and macro (long-term) level goals. Your goals should be specific and measurable (i.e., SMART goals). Then, you celebrate every time you achieve a goal (whether micro or micro).

This week, set 1-2 SMART goals for your writing and determine how you will celebrate when you achieve your goals. How you celebrate is up to you, but the celebration should match the achievement (i.e., bigger celebrations for larger goals), and celebrations do not always have to cost money or be food-oriented (my downfall). Just think about how your motivation will increase when you have something you are working toward and looking forward to. 🙂

Bit #8 – Signage

You are a professional writer! You write for a living! As such, your writing time is valuable and should not be taken lightly or put off until everything else is complete. Your writing time is a top priority and must be protected.

Part of protecting your writing time is alerting others that…

1. you are writing, 
2. writing is important, and 
3. you should not be disturbed (except for extreme emergencies).  

To indicate you are writing, create a sign to hang up so you are less likely to be disturbed (see examples below). Hang your sign in a visible location (even if that is on your back because you share a space with others).  

Writing is contagious.  Maybe your sign will inspire others to write.

Bit #7 – The Writer’s Diet

Any job is easier when you have the right tools to complete the job.  Writing is no different.  Many great writing tools are available to assist you in your writing journey.  Today, I want to introduce you to The Writer’s Diet by Helen Sword.  The book is fantastic (click on the picture below to learn more), and the online tool is great for strengthening your writing.  

Upload some of your writing to The Writer’s Diet today (click the link below or download the Chrome extension) and see how you can strengthen the words you use in your writing.

https://writersdiet.com/test/