Bec Evans

Many people harbour dreams to become best selling novelists, film directors, sculptors or artists. But what’s the difference between the dreamers and the do-ers?

The novelist John Irving said that “Good habits are worth being fanatical about.” Here’s some practical advice for any kind of writer on building a writing habit.

Advice on writing productivity often focuses on scheduling time to write. But having an unpredictable day doesn’t mean you should give up writing. Embrace the chaos and learn to write spontaneously.

I’m a productivity nerd - nothing delights me more than a how-to guide on getting organised and getting things done. Over the years I’ve gathered a collection of titles that have inspired me to start writing, helped me deal with distraction, and offered advice on building a regular writing habit. Here’s my selection of those that made a difference.

You’ve chosen your outfit for the Oscar ceremony and practised your smile for the waiting cameras but you still haven’t written the first scene of your screenplay let alone made a film. Don’t give up on your fantasy – here’s how to use your dreams to set achievable goals.

The thought that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill is enough to put you off trying. Bec Evans urges you to forget about perfectionism and instead focus on starting small and starting now.

When writing goes well it can generate great personal satisfaction. As Franz Kafka said “Writing is a sweet, wonderful reward.” Say that to someone battling with a draft and they might pummel your head with their laptop. It seems, however, that the challenge of writing is precisely what makes it so rewarding.

Is it possible to have a rich and rewarding life and still find time to write? Inspired by David Sedaris Bec Evans plays the stovetop game and looks at alternatives to making big sacrifices.

Writing can be a lonely business when you’re holed up in the attic hammering out your masterpiece. It’s easy to lose perspective if you’re stuck in the third rewrite of your third act. This is where ‘beta readers’ come into their own – trusted advisors who can offer feedback to help you navigate the plot ahead. We spoke to both sides of a critiquing partnership to find out how their reading and writing relationship keeps them motivated and on track.

As a novelist, journalist and games writer Naomi Alderman’s no slacker. She won the Orange Award for New Writers in 2007 and was named one of Granta’s Best of Young British Novelists in 2013. She’s been BAFTA-nominated for her alternate reality game Perplex City, and co-created the super successful iPhone game Zombies, Run! However, when it comes to her writing, it seems that staying in bed and going for walks are crucial to her productivity.