Writers-Wheel-Magazine-Issue-6-Midsummer-2015

10Autumn BarlowWhether you are a full time writer or snatch thirty minutesfrom time to time, it can sometimes be difficult to stay ontrack.I came to fiction from journalism, and so have an advantage(I think) in my mental attitude: I do not allow myselfto have writers’ block any more than my dad wouldget plumbers’ block. I am used to deadlines and wordcounts, and I have applied that rigorous work ethic towriting novels. It’s not easy, but nothing worthwhile is.Even so, there are days when I could really use a boss tostand behind me with a large stick, slamming it onto myfingers every time they stray towards another biscuit or Itwitch the mouse onto Buzzfeed.So here are some apps, websites and tips that have helpedme Get Things Done.1. Make others hold you to accountI am a member of an online group that uses a private chatroomvia a website facility called Mibbit. It’s a globalgroup and there are always people “in chat.” We undertakethirty-minute “sprints” where we all agree a time tostart writing, and thirty minutes later, we compare wordcounts and talk about random nonsense for five minutes.If you are not in any online groups, tryhttps://www.mywriteclub.com/ where you can join a publicchat or create one with a small circle of friends.2. PomodoroThe “sprints” I mention above are a type of Pomodorotechnique, where you work for a set length of time andthen goof off for a short while. There are apps for all thebrowsers that will simply cut you off from all internetbrowsing while you are in “work mode.” You might feeltwitchy and make excuses – “But I NEED to fact-check onWikipedia.” No, you don’t. Make a note, and do your researchat another time. I time my Pomodoro sprints withthis online countdown: http://e.ggtimer.com.3. Write cleanBy which I mean, get rid of your distractions. If the onlineapps to stop you messing around online are not enough,then take drastic action. I heard of one woman who sentthe internet router to work with her husband. She HAD towrite all day. It was that, or housework. No meaninglessbrowsing!4. Small targets, big goalsBreak up the writing process. Whether you are a plotter ora pantser or some strange combination, mark the smallmilestones along the way - it can help to stop you gettingoverwhelmed.5. Music and noiseThis is worth experimenting with. This past month I triedout the free trial of https://www.focusatwill.com/ whichclaims to be scientifically proven to aid concentration. Ifound it mildly helpful, but others swear by it. Anotheroption is to create a playlist on Spotify or some other player.Generally people find it is easier to concentrate if themusic is non-verbal or in a language unfamiliar to them.Also, don’t listen to music you usually listen to as you canget hooked into it and pulled out of the writing. I generallyplay movie soundtracks on YouTube.If you are trying to work in a noisy environment, try typesof white or pink noise. You can play them online or downloadthem to your device (these are also good for insomniacs!).Try https://www.tmsoft.com/white-noise-player/.Some people find it easier to concentrate with the hum ofa coffee shop. So, either get out and work in a publicplace, or use Spotify or YouTube to play ambient cafésounds in the background.6. Forgive yourselfDon’t become a slave to targets and goals. In spite of mysneering at writers’ block, some days, I acknowledge,writing can be difficult. Sometimes, when you only have ascant few minutes to write, that lack of time can hinderyou – you know you can’t waste it, you fret about makingthe most of it, you get stuck with the fear that you mightwaste it… and the moment has passed and you’ve missedyour chance. Don’t beat yourself up. Look to other writersand their schedules for inspiration, but don’t let their apparentsuccess put you down. Remember that there isreporting bias – people shout about how great they are,but rarely confess to the mistakes and the woes.If the words aren’t flowing, there are a million otherwriting-related things you can do with your time. And themost useful one of all?Reading.Allow yourself time to recharge and refill the well of inspiration– consider that this is still work, after all. So turn offthe computer, go for a walk, potter round your library,chat to a neighbour, listen to some friends, and be assuredthat this, too, is an important and productive use of yourwriting time.(Buzzfeed, alas, is not. Sorry.)Autumn is a writer and editor based in North West England. Shedeveloped the Top Hat Books imprint, which publishes historicalfiction that inspires, challenges and entertains.She writes regularly for Cycling Active Magazine and other fitnesspublications. She has written fiction for Take A Break, People'sFriend, Women's Own and Woman. She was a ManagingEditor for loveyoudivine Alterotica, a US-based ebook publisher,for four years.She also writes light romance and cozy mysteries under a penname.She works as a freelance editor for JHP, and for independentauthors.