3 Writing tips to stay focused on your story
Every writer struggles to stay focused. You’re not the only one. The challenge is building a habit to show up for your writing. After writing for several years, I’ve discovered a few external necessary adjustments that have evolved my process. When I sit to write, I find it easier to find a state of flow by following these three essential habits. These hacks will show you how to focus better while writing, so you’re not staring at a blinking cursor anymore.
Let me start out by giving you some tough love. No one is going to tell you to sit from 9 to 5 and write. YOU are accountable for staying focused while writing. It’s difficult. But sitting at your desk requires discipline and a habitual routine. So, how to focus better when writing? Great question. We are going to explore my top 3 focus tips for writing. This list will aid both creative and non-creative projects that you can apply to any writing, but for the most part, I’m speaking about creative writing.
I want to begin by saying everyone’s writing journey will be different, so I’m not here to tell you what’s going to work for you. Rather, I will show you what has worked for me. Building a writing habit takes time, practice, and patience. Give yourself grace as you develop what works for you and your lifestyle. Start by trying these few tips, they just might change your writing experience!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. See my full disclosure policy, here.
How to focus better when writing creative and non-creative projects.
3 tips for staying focused while writing
Set boundaries
Limit Distracting Apps
Music Playlists
I’ve been writing for several years and have adapted my writing habits, which have given me longer attention for writing sprints and better creativity in the process. These external hacks will help you find focus for your writing days, so you get more words on the page and less frustration.
how to focus better when writing
Set boundaries
Close the door. If you live alone, this may be easier, but if not — keep that door closed. Let your family, roommates, or lover know that you will be writing. There is nothing more precious than your writing time. Treat it like such!
Part of the problem is actually getting my butt into the chair, shutting the door, and putting the phone away. Stephen King wrote in his memoir that you have to learn to shut the door. But, this isn’t just about distractions, which we will talk about next. This tip is about setting boundaries with those in your household or close circle.
Setting boundaries helps you and your loved ones respect your writing space. This is particularly difficult for creatives. People tend to disbelieve your writing time is serious so they constantly interrupt, but if you were working on a project for your boss, they’d leave you alone. Frustrating right? I know. Writing time on your novel is just as important as that project; they both have deadlines that impact our future.
2. limit distracting apps
I learned how crucial it is to keep distractions away from my writing space. If you want to get your word count up, limit all apps outside of the one you’re writing in, especially your social media apps. They were built to distract us, and you don’t need to scroll when you should be writing. You can either block the writing time on your phone from other apps, limit your time, or both. I recommend both. Hear me out: limit your social media apps to 30 minutes/day. This will allow you to take back your imagination time as well; not only do we need it away from our writing session, but when we’re not at our desk, too. Ask yourself this: would you rather be thinking about your story or a post?
There are many studies on how social media pull you out of focus, and it can take up to half an hour to get back into that flow state you had prior. And I don’t know about you, but I can get sucked into a vortex mindlessly scrolling, and before I know it—that 30 minutes has flown by. And guess what? There are no words on the paper. But the beauty of the time keeps me aware of the time I’ve wasted and I put the phone away and get right back into writing. Set this up and you won’t regret it; soon it will become a habit and you will stop the mindless scrolling.
3. music playlists
Music is a critical component of my writing process because when I put on my headphones, the world falls away and I get to focus on simply writing. Over the years, I’ve honed my writing process, as you will, and what I can tell you is that what works for me when writing is playing music without lyrics. Movie scores or classical works are best for me personally. There is something about the story they tell within the notes that allows me to express my own. For other people or various writing projects, ambient music in the background is a godsend, and for my content days, nothing gets my mind flowing like the beauty those sounds bring. The point is this—you don’t want to hear other words than those flowing through your own head while writing.
When creatively writing, you want to feel your way through your story to the sounds and the atmosphere around you. Writing can feel like a trance when you’re locked in. That’s the goal! Here is one of my go-to channels for music while writing.
Recap: How to focus when writing?
Embed these three practices into your writing routine to find focus when crafting a story.
Set boundaries
Limit distractions
Play instrumental music to enrich your writing experience.
What writing habits have you built to hone your craft?
If you found these tips helpful in your writing journey, let us know by commenting below. What part of the writing process are you interested in discussing with us?
