If you’ve spent any amount of time online looking for writing tips, you’ve probably come across the essay 13 Writing Tips by Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club (and several other novels, as well). In that essay, Palahniuk offers some excellent advice for writers. As with many novelists, however, much of his advice is aimed at the budding novelist, such as tip number ten: “Write the book you want to read.”
However, I’d like to take a look at his first writing tip and tell you how I apply it to freelance writing. Here is that first tip:
Number One: Two years ago, when I wrote the first of these essays it was about my “egg timer method” of writing. You never saw that essay, but here’s the method: When you don’t want to write, set an egg timer for one hour (or half hour) and sit down to write until the timer rings. If you still hate writing, you’re free in an hour. But usually, by the time that alarm rings, you’ll be so involved in your work, enjoying it so much, you’ll keep going. Instead of an egg timer, you can put a load of clothes in the washer or dryer and use them to time your work. Alternating the thoughtful task of writing with the mindless work of laundry or dish washing will give you the breaks you need for new ideas and insights to occur. If you don’t know what comes next in the story… clean your toilet. Change the bed sheets. For Christ sakes, dust the computer. A better idea will come.
As much as I love my business, there are times when I don’t feel like writing. There are times I downright hate writing. I don’t hate it the way that I hated configuring Cisco routers near the end of my IT career, but there are moments when I’d rather be doing just about anything else.
So, I do what Palahniuk recommends, after a fashion. When I’m really struggling with staying on task, staying motivated or just keeping from being totally perturbed at what I’m writing, I write in shifts. I set the timer to write for 90 minutes, and i plow through. When my 90 minutes are up, I stop for fifteen. It’s sort of my reward for being a good little writer.
During my free time, I might read a book, play on Facebook, play a video game or even take a 15-minute catnap. The important thing is to disengage – get free of my writing for a few minutes – so I can come back recharged.I’m not looking for “new ideas and insights” in the way that Palahniuk talks about. I’m just looking for a distraction – something to take my mind away from the writing for a little bit.
I guess there’s one more thought to add to this mix, too. I’m at the place in my writing business where I don’t have to take every project that comes along. I can turn down a project, or pass it on to one of my writers, if I think it’s going to be too monotonous or boring.
So, what about you? Do you use built-in “egg timer” breaks in your day? Do you need them with every project, or just with certain ones?
8 comments ↓
I usually use a word count instead of a timer. Maybe 100 or 200. That usually gets the ball rolling. My breaks usually coincide with me running out of coffee and having to head up to the house for a refill. Thanks for the post!
.-= Jonathan´s last blog ..Why I Blog =-.
That egg timer sounds interesting. And indeed, not matter how much we love writing (or programming for me), there will always be a time where we hate it. And I guess doing something else will really help.
.-= madz´s last blog ..Travel Time =-.
I’ve been using this technique for years, for everything from cleaning the house to packing for a move to making progress with my writing. The more heinous the task, the shorter amount of time I put on the timer before I can take a break and tend my farm on facebook.
.-= CoffeeJitters (Judy Haley)´s last blog ..Work of Art =-.
This sounds like a great idea. I just started writing my first novel a few months ago and I keep running into those days when I want to do everything else but write. I thought I was the only one that had days like that! Now I know better. Hopefully this trick will help. Thanks for the advice. ;0)
.-= Angharad L´s last blog ..A Narnian Christmas: in defense of fantasy =-.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who occasionally hates writing. I usually “ease” myself into it by checking email, stats, earnings, etc. Then I talk myself into doing just one poject that’s approaching a deadline. Usually by the time I’m finished with that one project, I’m involved and ready to take on more, but it’s nice knowing I have the freedom to stop if I want to.
.-= Debra Stang´s last blog ..My 5 Favorite Writing Blogs =-.
It’s good to know that writers like me have moments that they want a break from writing. Your article gives me encouragement to grow in my craft.
Thank you for your article.
.-= Janice F Baca´s last blog ..Discover you – Recover you! =-.
I’ve wondered myself whether an egg timer or some other kind of alarm might prove helpful when I hit a wall in my writing. I’m working on a novel at the moment, typically I try to aim for between 3000-4000 words per day, but there are some times when the procrastination demon rears its ugly head. In those cases, a distraction is very, very welcome. However, I do think that an alarm would actually manage to guilt me back into my word count, after around twenty minutes or so of dithering.
What a great idea! As somebody who will do anything but write (and is contemplating/just started blog writing) I need something to discipline me, so I think I will try the egg timer method next time I am procrastinating!
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