KICK YOUR OWN BUTT (How to write on the regular)

Holy schmoley Batman. Sorry this blog post hits so late. It was Rosh Hashanah and the Missus was off work and the Son is off school for the week and the day just plain got away from me.

But here is my tips and tricks for productivity in your writing schedule.

First, let me tell you that the one thing you have to understand is that everyone is different. What works for me, may not work for you. Your mileage may vary.

That being said.

You know the first rule of Author Arithmetic. Ass + Chair = Writing.

But James, what if I am not inspired?

Tough crapola.

Plant yourself in front of a keyboard and start working. If you are a writer I bet you have several ideas knocking around in your noggin. If the project you are working on isn't "talking" to you, then warm up by pulling out another idea and begin working on it.

NOW HERE COMES THE BIG WARNING!!!! PAY CLOSE ATTENTION!!!

You need to put a cap on this practice. A time limit. And a really short and strict one.
If you don't then this new idea will do it's damnedest to seduce you away from the project you are striving to complete. If you don't use the new idea to get started and not as a replacement then you will find yourself never finishing anything.

So yes, use the bright and shiny new idea to break free your creativity and to get yourself moving again but cap it at 10 minutes and then switch back to the project you have picked to complete.

*******

Now, if you cannot, simply cannot resist the new ideas siren ways and you find yourself straying away from your chosen story to complete, then ignore the above advice like the plague.

Instead, sit down and WRITE THROUGH IT.

Seriously. Just get out the damned manuscript and start writing. You can fix it in the rewrite but start putting words on paper (or screen). If you are more stubborn than your "muse" then it will kick in and you will see progress. Drink some coffee, turn off the internet, and get to work.