Most writers experience procrastination. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the other things you need/want to do, which leads to putting writing to the side. However, I’ve found that a great way to stop that from happening is to go out and write instead. Here’s why;
No home distractions
Yesterday I tidied and cleaned my home, caught up on some television I’d been wanting to watch, did the laundry…and of course these things are important. But the point is, when you’re at home, you’ll always see the housework that needs doing or the TV you could be watching. Being out, in any good place to write, takes away these other options.
It feels like a treat
Taking yourself to a cosy coffee shop and enjoying a hot drink and a slice of cake is a treat. If you look at it like that it becomes a great way to not only reward yourself for meeting writing milestones, but also gives you a reason to look forward to it. This way your less likely to talk yourself out of it, which is all to easy when you’re at home.
Opportunities to people watch
Going out gives you the chance to people watch, which is valuable for all writers. You can observe the way people move, walk and interact. You can take in the way people dress or who they hang around with. All of this gives you inspiration to help you build realistic characters with genuine traits.
Uninterrupted time
When you’re writing in a library or a coffee shop or a hotel you have uninterrupted time. Not just because of a lack of homely distractions, but because you can plug in your headphones, block out any noise and be on your own, there’s nothing else to take up your time.
No WiFi
Let’s not pretend that internet access doesn’t make it all too easy to become distracted. Choose a coffee shop or a hotel with no WiFi, or simply don’t log on to it. If you come across anything in your writing that you need to research just make a little note and come back to it later. But make the most of minimal distractions while you can and get those words down!
Do you ever go out to write? Does it work for you? Drop me a comment and let me know.
Until then,
Keep writing,
M
x
Hey, great advice. I live in the middle of nowhere USA, so I just take my laptop and 3×5 notebook out to my lake dock and write. No people but plenty of creatures to run from the cat.
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Oh wow that sounds amazing!
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Great post, Meelie, and a timely reminder I really need to try going out to write. Usually I write at home and get distracted by the internet and Netflix π .
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It’s so easy to be distracted! I’m terrible when I’m at home x
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Iβm not the only one who works at home in my household, so itβs doubly distracting π .
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Haha I bet! I can only get really good work done at home if nobody else is in, otherwise I just want to chatter ! x
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Weβre pretty good at not chatting too much, but having to hear meetings and phone conversations that have nothing to do with my work gets distracting. Always seems to happen when Iβm trying to concentrate on writing an important scene π€£.
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Thank you π
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Welcome π
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I don’t go out to write, but after reading your advice, I might just try it! Great post.
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Let me know how it goes and if you enjoy it! x
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I haven’t thought of this. I actually started writing as a form of procrastination, hence writing is the distraction.
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That’s so cool! Is it still the case now that writing is so important to you? x
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Writing evolved from a procrastination tool to a loved hobby a few months after I started. In the times I reserve half a day for writing, I go for a method that gives the ‘distractions’ some kind of order: I take a break after a page/scene (when writing) or chapter (when editing) during which I take care of the possible distractions: go to the toilet, refill my mug, take a bit of a chocolate, check the news and Goodreads discussions (which is the closest thing to social networks I use), adjust the playlist, whichever of it I need/want to do. Then I go back to it until the next break.
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I usually write at home. However, I may have to go out to write on the day they’re fitting my new toilet. π
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Haha good idea, might be a little distracting!
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I had similar thoughts when sequestered at home yesterday. I definitely should have gone out.
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Glad it’s not just me! x
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Reblogged this on Ann Writes Inspiration.
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Thank you π
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Really great advice if only for the break in routine, hope you donβt mind the reblog
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Really appreciate the reblog π Thanks so much for reading x
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Reblogged this on Writing, events, competitions and even some self-penned bits and commented:
Great advice for those, like me, are easily distracted
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I love writing in cafes for the same reasons that you mentioned here. It’s nice to be away from distractions and it definitely feels like a treat π Are you participating in Camp Nano by the way?!
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Thanks Sophie! No I’m not, I’m just plodding through edits this April. Are you? β€ x
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I am editing too haha π Editing is hard for me (I always end up rewriting a big chunk of my novels haha….)
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this great post from the Uninspired Writers blog with Reasons To Go Out To Write
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Thank you π
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You’re welcome.
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I loooove going out to write. I’m always on the hunt for good writing cafes in Vancouver.
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Hi M.L. I’ve been doing this for years. I completed most of my first middle-grade novel at Panera and Starbucks. I also like writing at Barnes & Nobles. When I need complete quiet, I go to the library. I found one with a glass study room that overlooks a park. It gets full sun which is essential to me. I also write at home but the distractions loom (fridge, cat, laundry, photos, dishes). Having a consistent place to go that I associate with a specific project really gets my mind in the right place. I’ve written about this in my blog.
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Thank you for sharing, Evelyn! That spot in the library with the glass study room sounds beautiful π x
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Iβve never gone out to write, Iβd be too distracted. Although, I do like the idea of tea and cake.
Great post, itβs inspired me to try writing out and about.
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Tea and cake is a major perk! hehe x
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Here from Tom Burton’s shout-out.
Do I like going out to write? Sometimes. The only place that really works for me, though is nature. I find cafes to be too distracting. The music, the laughing people, the crying baby, etc. Nature works for all the reasons you’ve described but people watching. I like to do that every day, outside of writing.
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Thanks for coming over to the blog and commenting! Yes, nature can be so peaceful and inspiring. β€
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