Sometimes, the hardest part of writing is finding the time to do it. I know because I've been there!
When I first started setting goals for my writing, I didn't feel like I had time to write. Life was busy, and finding large blocks of uninterrupted time seemed impossible. So I set a simple goal for myself: write for 20 minutes, three times a week.
That was it. Twenty minutes, three times a week. It didn't sound like much, but it gave me a starting point. Instead of waiting until I had a whole afternoon free, I made writing a small, manageable part of my week. That goal helped set me on the writing path I'm still following today.
Pumping Your Muse Writing Prompt
Recently, I've returned to the same idea as I've worked on a battle scene for Rise of the Variel, Dragon's Oath Book 4. I was stuck. Dragging my feet. Sometimes a scene feels overwhelming when I look at everything that needs to happen.
I couldn't put it off. I needed to get this fighting scene drafted. Breaking the work into smaller sessions helped me focus on the next step instead of the entire mountain ahead. I returned to my roots and tackled the battle scene in 20 minutes incraments. And it worked!
I'm hoping to have the first draft of Rise of the Variel finished by the end of the year, so those focused writing sessions matter!
Here's how you can try it for yourself.
1. Choose one task.
Don't worry about finishing an entire chapter or solving every problem in your story. Pick one manageable thing. You might write a conversation, describe a setting, work out what happens next in a scene, or simply get a few paragraphs onto the page.
2. Set a timer for 20 minutes.
You can use a Pomodoro timer to keep track of your session. The traditional Pomodoro Technique uses 25-minute work periods, but 20 minutes is a perfectly reasonable place to start. The important thing is to choose a goal that feels achievable.
3. Write until the timer goes off.
For those 20 minutes, focus on your chosen task. Put distractions aside, resist the urge to edit every sentence, and give yourself permission to write imperfectly. If you get stuck, jot down a note or add a comment in the text about what you want to happen next and keep going.
4. Celebrate the progress.
When the timer rings, look at what you've accomplished. You may have written more than you expected. If you're in the middle of a productive stretch, keep going (if you have the time). If you need a break, take one!
Remember, the goal isn't to produce perfect prose in 20 minutes. It's to make progress, one small step at a time.
Bonus Challenge
Set a goal to write for 20 minutes, three times this week. Don't worry about how many words you produce. Just show up, work on your project, and see what happens. Small steps can take you farther than you think!
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Whether you're a new writer or a seasoned storyteller, there's always room to grow. Pumping Your Muse Writing Prompts offers creative challenges to spark your imagination, strengthen your writing skills, and help you discover new ways to bring your stories to life.
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