I originally started this blog to talk about writing and the world of publishing. As we’ve moved into more information about families and the outcomes for children from a type of family, the writing piece seems to have been misplaced. <vbg> But I love the twice weekly format these posts have settled into. So I’ve decided to start an occasional feature called “The Weekend Writer”. This won’t happen every weekend, but when something comes up that seems worth my time, and yours, I’ll post it. If you’d like a spot on the Weekend Writer, contact me. I’m happy to share your wisdom with the world.
Today, our guest post is from Margaret Jules, who contacted me a couple of weeks ago 
about creativity. I was delighted. Margaret’s bio is at the bottom of the post. She’s a skilled writer and I’m glad to have her here. Margaret, over to you.
Thanks Louise
Tips for Staying On the Writing Beam
There are many writers present in all parts of the world, but very few can make it big. Some people from other professions say that they tried writing but could not continue it for long. No matter how easy it may sound to some, writing needs a lot of focus and commitment. Almost every writer finds herself distracted once in a while. Here are some tips that can help you stay on the beam.
Begin your day well
If you are a writer who goes to an office with lot of people there, you already know it. For those who work at home, some extra challenges have to be faced. Firstly, resist the temptation to connect to the Internet immediately after you get up. Being in the creative field, it is important to pay heed to your morning thoughts. When the mind is fresh, the best comes out. Keep yourself untouched by the online world, as long as you can. Dress up for your job, even if you work at home. You don’t know how long it will take you to get up once you sit on the computer. Keep a track of activities that take up your time and check whether they are important. This applies to watching funny videos, sharing them and making irrelevant Google searches. These activities are fine once in a while but do not make them a habit or a part of your routine.
Take reasonable breaks
Writing well needs a fresh and relaxed mind. You do have a life and you definitely deserve breaks to do other things. Take some time out for social media if you need, but keep it under control. Same applies to cooking and other household chores. Make sure you know how much time you would need to prepare lunch or snack or sort laundry. Get it done and come back to work. You need to discipline yourself without any external influence when you work from home. Make necessary calls during these breaks and keep your phone away when you sit down to write.
Don’t push yourself too much
There are times when you just cannot write. Try to change some things. Take a break or get some light drink to freshen you up. If you have a laptop, you may want to sit in another room or go somewhere outside where you have the place to sit and work. Many writers resort to public libraries for this. If nothing works, stop. Shut down the computer and go for a walk. Come back to write when your mind it fresh again. Sometimes, all you need to enhance your productivity is slow down. You need to sharpen your axe (aka your mind) from time to time before you can cut more wood (write any further).
If you have made up your mind, remember that nothing in the world can distract you. When you have a strong determination to do something, you overcome obstacles easily. Focus on why you write, and it will give you the strength to move on every time. Try these tips to improve your productivity and stay focused on the job at hand.
About the author: Margaret is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on environment and technology. Beside this she is fond of books. She recently did an article on automotto. These days she is busy in writing an article on born rich.
Such excellent, sensible advice! I’m guilty of going online first thing when I get up, but my reasoning is that I get a good fifteen minutes of social media in before the boys get up. Once they are off to work and school, then it’s my writing time. Still, I need to get back in the habit of waking an hour earlier and getting writing in before anything else.
Love the writer weekend idea, Louise! Thanks for sharing Margaret with us. 😉
thanks Tameri. I too do social media as soon as I get up and then it’s time for work. i try to read blogs etc during the day if I can. and then evenings – social media and writing. All I can say is it’s a good thing I live alone. LOL
Begin your day well–this is by far the most important for me!! How I start sometimes sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Great, great tips–and I think Weekend Writer is an awesome feature!
Thanks Coleen. I’m not intending to put any pressure on me to do it – but I wanted to allow for writing information and comments to come up as well. glad you enjoyed the first edition
Great tips! I’m the slow-weekend blogger it seems, but the tips work any time! thanks, m
and for any topic
Really good advice! Thanks for this! I’m not always successful, but I do try and treat this as a job. Being consistent is still a challenge at times, but I’m getting it.
isn’t it interesting when we treat it like a job. I do better if i set some sort of schedule, beyond my goals, so that I can get something done. glad you enjoyed.
What an inspirational post! That last paragraph gave me chills. 🙂 Thanks for Margaret and Louise!
Yes, it’s excellent isn’t it?
Lots of good points! When I was laid off, I used to take my daughter to school, and sit down and write as soon as I returned home. It worked fabulously! But once I became employed again, I had to find a new schedule that would work for me. A lot of people get up early to write, but I am sooooo not a morning person, that’s not an option for me. It’s all about trying different things and learning what works for us!
I am so with you about morning, Jennette. wouldn’t happen in my house. it’s all I can do to get to work on time. and I totally agree – we have to find what works for us.
Great tips on time management. BTW, I’m on my break!
RubyJohnson
kfwwriters.blogspot.com
good for you for taking a break.
I’m not complaining about your blog’s “mission creep,” as it were…
These are all great suggestions because they’re so simple, meaning nine out of ten people would never think of them.
Glad you’re not complaining John. otherwise, we’d have to have a chat I think you’re right about considering them. I hadn’t thought of a couple. LOL
I love this post, Louise and Margaret! All of the advice is spot on…but there was one bit I’d never considered before. I’ve read so much about authors going to coffee shops to write and decided I was going to join the crowd. Only the coffee shop was so loud and distracting that I didn’t add so much as a single word to my MS.
But the library? It never crossed my mind to head to our local branch. It’s a change of scenery, reference materials are right at hand and…above all…it’s quiet! I’ve also been to some with outdoor areas that would offer a change of pace. What a great idea!
Thanks Kristy. Isn’t it wonderful when you have an ‘aha’ moment? what a lovely way to start the day.
It sure is, Louise. Only I was at the end of my day. Not sure what’s been happening this week but I’ve still been awake when the sun comes up most mornings. Hope it’s a short-lived trend. 🙂
oooh yuck. i have to be careful because my bio rhythm is 26 hours, so it’s easy to slide into that later and later bed time.
what do you use coconut oil for?
My body clock wants my butt in bed around eleven, but I’ve had trouble working back into a decent sleep schedule. The coconut oil is purely for energy, or maybe more accurately, keeping me awake and my thoughts on task. I’m more alert when I use it. 🙂
i bought it and knew you used it – now i know why and how
Well…you might not want to use it exactly like I use it. To make sure I get the full tablespoon 2-3 times a day, I just scoop it out of the jar and take it. As long as it’s the consistency of room temperature butter in the summer, it’s really not that bad. Right now it’s a little too soft, and in the winter it’s a little too solid, but I do it anyway. If I cook with it, I might not get the full tablespoon, and I don’t always want toast.
I will say, though, that scooping it up with Fritos or potato chips makes it a lot easier. Not the whole tablespoon at once, but split up between a few chips. That’s why I just take it. It’s over in 5 seconds and I don’t have to drag it out.
Ok, I’ll give it a try on toast first