I’m writing this in March 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. I think it’s fair to say that, right now, the world is kind of crazy. Depending on where you live, schools might be closed, events are cancelled, working from home has become mandatory… and we’re all preparing for lockdown.
At times like this, writing can (rightly) slip down the priority list. Some writers can keep on writing through any kind of chaos. But if you’re like me, and struggle to focus on the work when everything else is so worrying, then read on for some practical tips on how to get that book written.
BUT FIRST: Know That It’s Okay Not To Write.
This has to come first because it’s the most important point I’m going to make. It is okay NOT to write. Your physical, emotional and mental health comes first. If this crisis – or any crisis in your life, global or personal – has you hanging on by your fingernails, drop the writing if that’s what you need to do, and drop the guilt with it.
It comes down to your personality. If you’re the kind of writer who needs a stable environment in which to write, and trying to do otherwise makes your chest tight and your brain race, then stop. Stop right now, go have a cup of tea and a biscuit, read a favourite book, and don’t feel bad about it for a moment. It’s okay not to write.
Editors, readers, deadlines – they’ll wait. Look after you, first and always. The writing will still be there when you’re ready.
On the other hand, if you’re the kind of writer who escapes into their created world for solace, the bad times might make you want to write more. And that’s okay too! We all deal with the bad times in our own way, and the trick is knowing what will help us do that best.
But writing in times of chaos and uncertainty has its own problems. Here are some ways to deal with them.
Develop a Writing Ritual
When a crisis hits, the usual routines are the first thing out of the window. The absence of the usual rhythms and cues that lead us to our writing time can make it hard to settle in to the work, when we do find the time and space to write. One way to help with this – and one you can start developing now whether you’re mid-crisis or not – is to develop a writing ritual.
At its most basic, this is a way of tricking your brain into compliance. What you want is to give it a signal, one it can’t ignore, that it is time to sit down and write. It’s halfway between a habit and a pavlovian response, and it’s incredibly powerful. With the right cues, you can calm your over-active brain, focus on your work, and get your words written.
The development of your writing ritual is also worthy of an entire blog post of it’s own, which I’m sure I’ll get around to writing eventually, but for now try these few steps:
One
Designate a writing place. This could be a chair that you only sit in when you’re writing, or a coffee shop you only visit when working on a draft, or whatever works for you. (If you’re in lockdown with your entire family and no privacy, you might have to think outside the box to make this one work!)
Two
Switch gears. You need to make a mental break between the chaos and your writing time. You know what works for you to calm your brain, but even just a few deep breaths with your eyes closed, or a couple of yoga stretches, can help you switch from life mode to work mode.
Three
Set the scene. Even if you can’t find a designated writing place, you can still give your brain the right cues by setting the writing scene. Maybe you always light a scented candle before you start work. Or always wear your oldest, softest hoodie when writing. Whatever it is that you do, do it consistently and your brain will start to recognise the cues and prepare to write.
Use Your Mental Downtime Wisely
It’s so easy to spend all our time worrying or obsessing about the latest crisis – but it’s also not the healthiest way to live. When you find yourself stuck in an unhelpful mental cycle, take some breaths and refocus. Think about the next scene you want to write, or your characters’ conflicts instead. Some of our best ideas come when we’re away from our desk doing other things, so don’t lose this opportunity to fretting (too much).
And use unexpected free time to read, too, or watch great films and TV shows. Surround yourself with stories. Even if you’re not writing, you’re still staying connected to the basics of character, plot and structure.
For more on using your mental free time to generate great new ideas, check out this blog post:
Lower Your Expectations.
When life is tough, when your time is limited by closed schools (or a partner working from home…), you’re just not going to be able to commit to the same sort of word counts or focus as you can when life is calm. So don’t set yourself huge word count targets then beat yourself up when you can’t meet them. In fact, I find it helps to stop thinking in word counts altogether at times like this. Instead, I commit to trying to find a certain amount of time to write each day or week, and really focus for that time. Even if I can only commit to 15 minutes of timed writing, I usually end up with more words than I imagined I would, which is a much nicer feeling! And if I don’t? I still kept my promise to myself by sticking to my writing time.
For more tips on how to find time to write, especially when out of the normal routine, check out these blog posts:
Remember that All Writing Counts.
If you can’t face your current work-in-progress but still want to write, remember that all writing counts. Write a short story. Write a list of book ideas. Write an interview with you characters. Write a worry list, a gratitude list, a list of dreams, an action list. Write a blog post or article to yourself, with ideas for how to get through your current situation (oops – you caught me). Just write, because it keeps your writing habit alive and well, ready for when you’re able to get back to your WIP. All writing counts.
Connect with and support others – and let them support you back.
Are you writing through the pandemic crisis right now? Come find me – and countless other writers – doing the same on social media. We’re all in this together, and right now I think we need all the support we can get. Especially as our physical circles get smaller because of social distancing, now is the time to reach out and expand our online circles. Not to compare word counts, or beat ourselves up for not coping with the crisis the same way as another writer. But to cheer each other on and remind each other we’re doing a great job, and every day is another step towards a happy ending.
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