WRITING PROBLEMS (1) – 5 WAYS TO APPROACH FOCUS

 

Focus is usually among top 10 in any writers list.

This is the reason why it’s the first to be tackled in this writing series.

The internet is a major villain.

Television, movies, social hangouts etc

You name it. You know better what steals your adequate focus on writing.

Even when writing, your own thoughts – when you think of previous happenings in your day, a heavy mind or a day ready to be choked with activities etc- can pose as a distraction.

Here’s the interesting part, tending to the question of what to write too can wiggle you off.

Let’s say, you have a theme as a prompt, or you don’t. You’ll be torn between making it into a poem or a fiction story or… you can go on, you know better how this goes with you.

So, use this post to assess yourself.

Let’s say you’ve already read a thousand posts or books on focus and yet no head way.

DON’T GIVE UP.

Here’s why:

1. FOCUS IS AN ISSUE FOR MOST CREATIVES

So, you are not alone in this. You understand that feeling of not being alone in this. Now a smile can emerge as you feel relieved with this fact.

From making decisions about what to write and how to write it and which way will work better etc you’re tackling the focus issue.

This is the reason this can’t be ignored.

If you’re going to tackle this, then here’s the next point.

2. SET UP TIME TO PLAN

He who fails to plan; you know the rest. To ensure you stay focused, you’ll be taking up your writing as a project.

You will set out a time for it. This time should serve you with little or no distractions. Early hours of the morning when you aren’t curious about what response you got from your post on Facebook.

Late hours of the night when probably your followers are not online. You can then plan.

Planning should answer the question of What to write, what to research, which writing style to use, which P.O.V ie point of view is appropriate etc

If you’re working on one theme and and another pops up to say Hi, just don’t give it a high 5, show it a nice seat where it can wait in line.

By that, you jot it down and continue with the one you are working on.

Flip to the next,

 

3. MAINTAIN YOUR ENERGY LEVEL, HOW?

By taking short breaks. Oh wait you thought it’s just focus all the way? Hell no! You’ve got to scratch it sometimes.

This doesn’t mean you pause for longer hours. It means stretch your back. Do few minutes nibbling on fruits, nuts or drinking of water.

This is to prevent your energy from dwindling. You want to stay focused so you’ll need to keep your morale high.

Remember, you are engaging your body, spirit and soul to it.

Now, slid to point FOUR.

4. BEFRIEND YOUR REMINDER

If you are saying, ‘I want to write at least two chapters’, then, calculate the word count and time it will take you to do so.

Recall, you’ve planned out and you know WHY you are doing this in the first place.

So the reminder serves as a check on your progress and if you’re still on track.

The reason why lot of writers plot.

If you feel plotting isn’t for you then at least plan and ensure you remind yourself of the WHY. Always keep your reminder close.

5. DEAL WITH THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS, FIRST.

And eliminate more distractions. The longer it gets, the intense the pressure to deviate arises, so deal with the harder ones first.

Tell yourself, ‘Let me just finish plotting before I take a break’ or set a time, ‘I’ll do 10 minutes then, break for 5 minutes but ensure I come back!’

Hey, I just saw an interesting post I wrote, it won’t hurt to read it to get more inspiration. It would, just put it down and continue till you achieve your target.

Focus can be a daily battle. You need more ways to tackle it, comment below.