1. Keep a calendar to log the number of words you write daily so you can get a realistic view of your progress. Now do the math and figure out what an achievable goal is for you, and how many words you must write daily to get to the goal. Give yourself room for deletions and editing time.
2. When writing, highlight the items you need to research in your story and go back to them later. Constant pauses to research will slow your creative process. Then, when your imagination slows or you truly need a break from writing, you can take search out the info you need.
3. Pay attention to your own writing rhythm. Some people write best in short bursts scattered throughout the day. Some do best scheduling one time to work. For me, early morning time at the keyboard gives me a jump on the word count that otherwise I can't seem to achieve no matter how much time I spend writing in the afternoon.
4. Know what your motivations and rewards are. Do you work best when you dangle a prize in front of yourself? If so, plan out the rewards. Surround yourself with fresh reminders of whatever motivates you.
5. At the beginning of every project, mentally shorten the time you really have to meet the deadline to two-thirds, and make it real by considering it your personal finish line. Life can have a different schedule, and is likely to throw a few hurdles your way. Expect that issues—sick days, etc., will distract you. They're more inevitable than a smooth path is.
2. When writing, highlight the items you need to research in your story and go back to them later. Constant pauses to research will slow your creative process. Then, when your imagination slows or you truly need a break from writing, you can take search out the info you need.
3. Pay attention to your own writing rhythm. Some people write best in short bursts scattered throughout the day. Some do best scheduling one time to work. For me, early morning time at the keyboard gives me a jump on the word count that otherwise I can't seem to achieve no matter how much time I spend writing in the afternoon.
4. Know what your motivations and rewards are. Do you work best when you dangle a prize in front of yourself? If so, plan out the rewards. Surround yourself with fresh reminders of whatever motivates you.
5. At the beginning of every project, mentally shorten the time you really have to meet the deadline to two-thirds, and make it real by considering it your personal finish line. Life can have a different schedule, and is likely to throw a few hurdles your way. Expect that issues—sick days, etc., will distract you. They're more inevitable than a smooth path is.
Lastly, try to be like the turtle, working consistently and methodically. The deadline is more like the hare without roadblocks—it just rushes up, and will win the race if you let it. And unlike rabbits which can lose their speed when tired, a deadline doesn't slow down as it gets closer. It gains momentum.
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