Writing habits

Productivity is about more than getting stuff done – it’s about doing your best work, living your best life, and defining success based on what matters most to you. So says productivity coach and bestselling author Grace Marshall. As a recovering perfectionist who’s not naturally organised Grace’s approach to writing productively is honest and grounded in everyday reality.

I’m a bit of a left brain/right brain strange combination. I love writing and consider myself a highly creative person - but I’m also a number junkie too. I’ve just finished writing 29 plays in 29 days by taking part in a project run by The Space called 29 Plays Later. The combination of words and numbers really worked for me. It made me productive, motivated and even more excited about numbers.

I’ve spent the last hour in an internet wormhole ‘researching’ procrastination. I made the usual excuse that it was necessary groundwork for this blog, but to be honest, I was delaying the task at hand. The instant hit of clickbait was preferable to knuckling down and earning the satisfaction that comes from effort.

What you do first thing can make or break your day. As well as making you feel super smug about getting stuff done before work, having a morning ritual can help you meet your creative goals. Tap into the science and psychology of daybreak to build your winning routine.

So, 2016 is the year you’ve resolved to finally start writing that novel or blow the dust off that half written script. Great! But when research shows that 92% of all new year’s resolutions rarely make it past January, how can you make sure your writing resolution sticks?

When’s the best time to write? Is it in the morning when you’re fresh and ready for a new day? Is it in evening when you’re full of ideas and inspiration from previous hours during the day? Or perhaps it’s at night, when people are least likely to bother you, allowing you to focus on your work 100%?

What can you do in 15 minutes? Hard-boil an egg? Play Candy Crush? Look at some great Facebook photos of your friend’s office party? The point being that we often waste time – time that Dorothea Brande says could be dedicated to kick-starting your creative practice.

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.

Henry Swindell from the BBC’s Writersroom has worked with writers his whole life. He’s also worked on many of the UK’s best-loved soaps and dramas including Coronation Street, Casualty, Doctors and Hollyoaks. We talk to him about spotting talent, staying focused, unfunny comedies and undramatic dramas.

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.