Tips For Staying Focused On Your Writing

For writers, there's no better place to be than in the zone. When the words are flowing, your characters are behaving, and everything is coming together. We love sitting down to write at 7:00 PM and not knowing how much time is flying by until we look up and realize it's somehow 1:00 in the morning.

But for some writers, it can be hard to get into that state of mind. We live in a world of distractions. There are things that need our attention outside of our writing that sometimes can't be put off until later.

It's something I've struggled with for most of my life (thanks to until-recently-diagnosed-ADHD...). There are days that writing is all I can focus on. But even then, I'm often unable to focus on the writing I need to be doing. If you're subscribed to my newsletter, you've likely seen mentions of not getting as much novel-writing done but being productive when it comes to my blog.

And if you're in the same boat, here are some things I've been doing to stay focused when I'm writing.

Set Up A To-Do List

Part of staying focused is staying organized. And one way to stay organized is by creating a to-do list.

Think of your to-do list like a roadmap for your brain. It offers a clear sense of direction, eliminating that deliberation period that can let your mind wander into distractions. Whether you're drafting or revising, you can just jump straight in because you already know what you'll be working on. And by having those goals written out in front of you, there's less of a chance you'll forget something.

Some writers prefer a day-by-day checklist, while others might use a weekly, monthly, or even yearly checklist—or any combination thereof, depending on their specific needs; some will incorporate setting goals into their writing routine, like setting aside time on Sunday evenings to plan for the week ahead.

You might also find it helps to list things in order of priority, with more important or time-sensitive tasks taking the top spot. Not only does it allow you to get organized, but it helps to break down larger goals into more manageable chunks, which comes in handy when you've got a multi-step goal to tackle or a deadline looming.

It can also be a quick way to stay accountable and track your progress towards your writing goals.

Who doesn't love the satisfaction and the feeling of accomplishment you get from crossing things off their list?

Declutter Your Space

They say a cluttered desk is a sign of a creative mind (if anyone's space is proof of that, it's mine. Let's just say there are reasons Claudia Kishi resonated with me so much as a child).

But it can be difficult to focus on creative projects, like writing, when your workspace is cluttered. That's not to say you can't have knick-knacks and the like on your desk, but it can be distracting to have eraser shavings and empty coffee mugs crowding your space.

Allocating some time to tidy up will allow you to make the most of your writing time. Remember, it doesn't have to get done in one day. Even a few minutes here and there can make a noticeable difference. I find it helps to listen to a video or podcast about writing as I go, as a bit of a mental warm-up before sitting down to write.

You may even find that taking those five minutes to set up your writing space becomes a ritual of sorts that tells your mind it's time to settle down and get ready to write.

Put Yourself In Do Not Disturb Mode

Smartphones offer a world of conveniences. Everything you could ever want to know is right there at your fingertips. It's our entry to social media and human connection. And for those of us writers who aren't great with numbers, despite what your teachers told you, we have a calculator in our pocket pretty much always.

But with all of that convenience come distractions. You know how it goes: you pause to send one text or tap skip on Spotify or look up one thing and suddenly you've been scrolling through Instagram Reels for twenty minutes.

So put that phone away! Whether it's locked in a drawer or simply in your pocket or screen-down on your desk, having it out of sight will make it easier to concentrate on your writing.

Silencing it or putting it in Do Not Disturb mode isn't always possible, like if you've got kids and need to know if the school nurse calls. You can totally keep your ringer on. It's about resisting the temptation to aimlessly doomscroll when you should be writing.

I'm also thinking about getting myself a smartwatch so I can still answer calls and control my music without actually needing my phone in hand (though that'll be off the table until Black Friday rolls around).

Speaking of music...

Soundtracks And Soundscapes

Music plays a significant role in my writing process. One of the first things I'll do when brainstorming for a new story idea is curate a playlist inspired by my ideas, and it's this playlist that I'll have on when I'm doing mundane non-writing things like making dinner or when it's my turn to clean the employee bathroom at work.

It's also helpful when I'm struggling to concentrate. However, I don't listen to my WIP playlist when I'm actually writing. Lyrics can be distracting for me, or I'll end up typing those lyrics into my own writing because that's what my brain is processing.

Instead, I opt for instrumentals. Sometimes, that's a soundtrack station on Pandora, but more often than not it's a compilation on YouTube. You know the ones. pov: you're meeting your soulmate at midnight because your father disapproves, for example. And for all of my fellow Cincinnati Bengals fans, there's 10 HOURS of Joe Burrow SITTING that you can study, heal and relax to. These are especially good for days I'm working in an unusual spot like the food court in the casino mall I work in, where there's a lot of external noise that makes it harder for me to focus.

Some writers find that they work better without music on, preferring silence punctuated by the clicking of their keyboard. Or they may choose an ambient mix, like the background noise of a coffee shop, a thunderstorm, or waves crashing on a beach; you could also seek out ambient mixes that fit your story's setting, whether it's an apocalyptic wasteland, a medieval castle, or a pirate ship on the high seas.

No matter what you're listening to (or not listening to), having the right sound for your writing can help you stay in the zone.

Medi-Take It All In

One thing I've been experimenting with on days I'm especially struggling to focus is meditation. Though still new to my writing practice, I've found that these meditations are helpful for grounding my restless writer brain so I can get back to work.

I listen to guided meditations via YouTube. For writing sessions, I tend to favor those that are between 10-15 minutes long depending on how I'm feeling.

I'll be the first to admit that meditation can be difficult with my ADHD, and I'll also admit I brushed off the idea of meditation for years because my mind was too scattered. But as many of these guides will assure you, it's natural for your thoughts to wander. Like anything else, it takes practice. It's like a muscle you have to build up little by little.

And on a slight tangent, I've been using Jason Stephenson's sleep talkdown recordings for over a year now and it's been a massive improvement for my sleep habits.

Even a few slow breaths can help you regroup and regain your focus!

Writing Sprints

Like I've mentioned in other posts, writing sprints are a fun way to make your writing sessions more productive. Many writers find that writing in short bursts gives them clear, attainable goals and allows them to work more intently.

Not sure how to start? The Pomodoro Method is a popular structure for writing sprints! If you're unfamiliar, it goes a little something like this...

• Write for 25 Minutes

• Rest for 5 Minutes

• Repeat

• Take a Longer Rest After Every Couple of Rounds (10-20 Minutes)

The times can be adjusted depending on your preferences.

The Pomodoro Method's structure encourages writers to stay focused in small doses, which can help prevent burnout.

Remember To Come Up For Air

This post has been dedicated to staying in the writing zone, but I'm ending it with this reminder: come up for air.

Remember to take breaks periodically during your writing sessions. Stand up. Take a stretch break. Drink some water. Give yourself permission to scroll through your socials for a few minutes. Play a round or two of Tetris. Give your pet some treats just because. Rickroll a friend (or an enemy...).

Whatever brings you peace and gives you a moment to reset.

Preventing burnout is important not only for your writing's sake, but for yours. Stepping away for a few minutes allows you to come back with refreshed eyes, which can help when you're working to solve a plot hole or catching things that slipped past your radar as you're editing.

Getting in the zone can be tricky for writers. Staying there can be even more of a challenge. As is true for anything in writing, there is no single approach to take. It's all about trial and error and figuring out what works best for you.

Have you tried any of these tricks for staying focused? What's worked best for you? Add your own tips in the comments!

For more on getting into the writing zone, check out Getting Into The Write Headspace (In 4 Little Ways) and 7 Ways To Make Your Writing Space More Cozy.