Four Ways to Simplify Your Writing Life

The writing life is a challenging one. Most of us write while holding down other jobs, raising families, keeping our houses clean, and (hopefully) staying healthy and sane. Even for those lucky enough to be able to write full time, keeping on top of our various projects can be complicated.Creativity thrives in tranquility. The minute our lives become too chaotic, cluttered, and stressful, our imaginations wither. While finding simplicity in the midst of all the chaos can be a challenge, there are some straightforward steps you can take today that will help you find spaciousness and clarity in your writing life. Here are four of them.

1. Create a workable writing space.

If you don’t already have a space set aside for your writing, make one. Having a room all your own is best, but if you can’t make that happen, a desk in the corner of your bedroom, the kitchen table, or even a lap desk can work.

The second part is to make it a workable space. That means:

  • The tools you need—computer, notebook, pens, soothing music, whatever you use for inspiration, etc—are right there.
  • You know where those tools are when you need them. In other words, you’re fairly organized.
  • The space is uncluttered and clean.
  • It’s comfortable and “feels” right for your writing process.
NOTE: You don’t have to be one of those super-organized people who has everything perfectly labeled and organized in the order in which it will be used. Just don’t be the opposite—the writer who has to spend 15 minutes finding the scrap of paper they jotted their notes down on. Find a method of organization that works for you and go with it.
2. Eliminate distractions.

They’re everywhere, and they devour our attention and our time. Still, they can be managed.

    • Turn off the TV.

 

  • Stay off social media during your writing time.

 

 

  • Set aside other tasks until after you’ve written—or get them done before you start.

 

 

  • Let family know you need this hour (or ten minutes) to write.

 

 

  • Don’t interrupt your writing to because you’ve suddenly realized you absolutely have to have a cup of tea or that leftover pizza sitting in the fridge. You don’t.

 

NOTE:  If you live in a crowded house without a room you can shut yourself in, you can still find a space where you can be alone, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. That  might mean writing before everyone else gets up, finding a space in the basement or attic, or even locking yourself in the bathroom. For two years, my writing space was a large and very comfortable closet, and for a time, I wrote in my car parked on a quiet street.

3. Figure out what work you’re doing that you don’t actually have to do and stop doing it.

It’s easy to get into the idea that we absolutely have to mow the lawn, dust the furniture, send out 250 Christmas cards, make an elaborate casserole for the potluck dinner, or stay late at work. To make sure you’re not loading your day with unnecessary tasks, ask yourself, these two questions:

    • What will happen if I don’t do this? If the answer is, “The neighbors will think I don’t take very good care of my yard,” that’s not reason enough.

 

  • Is this more important than my writing? If not, why are you doing it instead of writing?

 

4. Stop multitasking.

A few decades ago, it seemed like everyone was bragging about how much they multitasked, as if that proved they were high-powered, important people.

Well, here we are in 2013 with abundant research showing that multitasking isn’t fast, smart, or efficient. In fact, it diminishes the quality of our work and reduces our productivity. Plus, it leaves us feeling fried. And, if that isn’t enough, it is terrible for your brain health. 

If you multitask, stop. Focus your energy and get your work done right by doing one thing at a time.

These are only 4 of many ways to simplify your writing life. If you have a tip of your own, share it here.