So it has been a few months since I did one of these and I am glad to be back. I don't have too many insecurities today so I figured I would talk about something that has really helped me.
I think a common problem with writers is the inability to make writing a habit. Ask any successful writer how they got there and though the advice may vary one thing stays the same. WRITE EVER DAY!!
This can be hard for someone who is self publishing and may or may not be seeing much return for their effort.
So I found a cool way to help myself with this. See my wife likes to make list. And plans. And graphs and...well if it involves a piece of paper and figuring something out, she likes to do it.
So I came up with an idea. On a regular writing day I do about 1 to 2k words. On a good day I can get about 5k before fatigue sets in. The problem is with three kids, one of them a toddler, the day slips away faster than you would think.
So I came up with a rewards program. For ever thousand words I get a point. My wife wrote up a list of things I may want or do, like go see a movie and added a point value to it 10 points for smaller things, 75 for bigger and then so on. So instead of just doing those things I have to earn them through writing.
This really only works if you have to be accountable to this person so make it someone who will actually cares to talk about your writing and ask about your words for the day.
Anyway I am enjoying this new thing and thought some of you might like to try it. I hope everyone is well. As always, have fun and keep writing.
Clever idea. Just like dangling a carrot.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine writing five thousand words in one day. Wow. I hit two thousand once.
It is rare but I always love leaving a 5k session. Yes the carrot helps for sure.
DeleteI had to smile at your wife - my hubs has a thing for lists and graphs too. Me, not so much. Love your reward idea. Talk about a way to make writing sweeter!
ReplyDeleteYeah I am not a list person, but they are fun to have around.
DeleteGreat system! Hey, if rewards systems work for kids, why not try it for yourself! Writing really is a discipline. If we wait on the muse. or when we're not "busy" (who isn't?) that book will take two years to finish! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteHere's my October IWSG Post
Yeah waiting for the right time is rarely the best way to go about it.
DeleteI cant imagine doing 5K words in a day, but I am definitely going to give it a try. Rewards are a great motivation :)
ReplyDeleteHope it works out for you I have found some great success with it.
DeleteLove it! Cool to have a system where someone is helping you keep accountable by checking in with word counts and such. And getting rewards? Cherry on top! lol
ReplyDeleteYes the rewards keep me in line because they are the things that normally distract me.
DeleteYeah, the day can slip away really fast. And the day job is such a time suck! lol
ReplyDeletelol, yes it sure can be.
DeleteI totally get how difficult it is to make writing a habit. I try writing something everyday, but sometimes it just doesn't happen. I like the rewards idea; I'd love to try it out, but unfortunately I don't have anyone to keep me in check on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteThe only one home with me to keep me accountable is my Lhasa Apso Sophie - and she's easily bribed with treats. :D Welcome back to the IWSG and have a great day. Eva, IWSG Co-host
Yeah I don't think a dog treat would work on my wife, lol. Though now the image in my head with very funny.
DeleteI LOVE it. While drafting my last book, I would award myself too. Just get to the end of this chapter and you can have a bag of gold fish. Just finish this scene and you can go for a bike ride. Just get your 2000 words for the day written and you can play Plants VS Zombies for a level. It's the small things, eh?
ReplyDeleteIt really is the small things. Anything that works...works.
DeleteWhen you are by yourself, you have to learn to self-regulate - which is the pits but it does grow inner muscles or jaw muscles as I clench my teeth at myself and my wayward ways! Welcome back to IWSG, you've been missed. :-)
ReplyDeleteYeah trust me I've been there too. When starting out it was hard to get all the support you can want. I am lucky people finally came around.
DeleteI'm a list person too:) I tend to go by chapters written rather than by numbers. Numbers are too intimidating for me. Good for you getting creative!!
ReplyDeleteHey that works too. Chapters actually scares me more for some reason. lol
DeleteLove the idea! And how great that your wife is on board. And three kids. I'm surprised you have time to write. I just have a dog and cat and they're demanding, but nowhere near toddler demanding.
ReplyDeleteI have a dog and cat too, but my dog mostly just wants to sit next to me as I wrote and get the extra head rub here and there.
DeleteThat's a really cool idea! I think I would definitely need someone else to be in charge of it because I'm never that good at holding myself to goals.
ReplyDeleteYeah it is easy to cheap when you;re the boss.
DeleteSee, attending those pre-school classes with your kids was helpful, lol. WRITER WILL WORK FOR REWARDS! That's cool.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing is none of them went to pre-school. I guess reward systems are just ingrained in me.
DeleteI think it's awesome that you've found something that motivates you to write every day, Brandon! I think having to be accountable to your wife is key. I know I'd cave and go straight to the reward if I had to be accountable to only myself! LOL Happy writing!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah she is the linchpin in the whole process for sure.
DeleteSounds like you've got a good thing going for you there. I wish I had someone to put me in check on those days (Days? Pffft. More like weeks!) I feel like slacking off. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah I have been there too. It is helpful to have someone on board with me.
DeleteThat is a great reward system!
ReplyDeleteI think I need someone in the house that will smack me every time I get off track.
No anyone like that?
:)
Heather
I can put up an ad or something, :P
DeleteI like the idea of a reward system! Although I believe you don't necessarily have to write every single day, I've realized how helpful it is to write every single day. For me, I started using a timer and telling myself I have to write so many minutes a day. So far it's kept me going since July 1. So things like that do work and are a huge help in getting the words down.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great habit to form. It really can strengthen your writing as well it helps you think of new ways or better ways to say things.
DeleteLately I'm lucky if I write 2k a week. You need to come up with a plan that will work for you, and I believe you've found one!!!! Good Luck, Brandon.
ReplyDeleteYes it is very important to work out what works for you. It can be different for everyone.
DeleteYeah I was the same which is why I have to run daily now lol.
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea. Sometimes I do that in regards to watching a movie or doing a little shopping.
ReplyDeleteThanks, yeah anything that motivates us is good.
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