Pleasure writers and professionals alike, we have all gone to bed feeling unaccomplished. Sometimes it seems illogically impossible to get any words down on paper. Some call it Writer's Block. Some call it laziness. No matter what you call it, it's underproduction, and there are several simple steps you can take to write more a day.

1. Get a notebook. If you do not already keep one with you at all times, now is the best time to start. Keep it in your car with you when you go places, bring it inside with you when you get to your destination. Even a small notepad in your pocket or purse will be sufficent...while you are on the go. If you see something that inspires you or hear a word you like, write it down! Collect as many ideas and observations as you can. Every time an idea strikes you, jot it down, even if you don't have time to expand it. Look back at them later when you have more time and utilize as many of them as you can!

2. Open your eyes, ears, nose, etc. Just because you carry a notebook doesn't mean that the ideas will just start flowing. No, no, no. You do not necessarily have to be constantly be searching, but keep your eyes open! Look around. Maybe listen to things you wouldn't normally listen to. Take notes, as if you were a news reporter. Later, use it as clay to sculpt into fiction later.

3. Keep focused. Collecting a notebook full of thoughts and observations isn't enough. If you seriously want to write more every day, you must stay focused. Sit down to write, even if you don't feel inspired. Flip through your notebook, put on some music, whatever works to stimulate your mind. As a writer myself, I understand how frustrating it can be to feel unable to force even a single sentence out. But you have to keep at it. The greater the effort, the greater the reward.

4. Set small goals. If you have a long weekend ahead of you, plan to take two or three hours to yourself, strictly for researching and writing. Don't set sky-high goals, such as "write 100 articles on Saturday." A goal like that will make you feel pressured and rushed, unnecessarily. If you are probably not going to reach a goal, you are less likely to try to achieve it.

5. Keep a journal. Journaling is a great way to get the ink flowing, without the pressure of grammatical correctness and paragraph structure. No grammar, spelling, word choice, or flow involved. Just the physical act of writing and getting feelings and thoughts onto paper. This may trigger more creative ideas and give you something to write about. If not, you're still building routine.

6. Think less about the details. Write outlines. Brainstorm. Write the skeletons of stories first. The rougher the rough draft, the better. You can take time later to clean it up and polish it.

Follow these basic guidelines and you should find yourself writing more and more every day. If you still find yourself stuck, take a break. Read a chapter of a novel, make yourself a sandwich, take a nap. But be sure to eventually get back to your writing! It cannot exist without your effort.

Learn more about this author, Megan Deroche.
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