In his book, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, Haruki Murakami says the most important quality for a writer, other than talent, is focus: “the ability to concentrate all your limited talents on whatever’s critical at the moment”.
However, it can be tricky to feel completely focused before writing. Constant distractions, whether in person or online, can make writing feel like a struggle. On top of this, you may experience writer’s block from time to time.
Luckily, there are effective ways to get your brain focused before writing. Here are eight great tips to sharpen your creative focus and beat writer’s block.
1. Write in the mornings
Unless you know you’re most creative in the twilight hours, try to write in the mornings.
It’s easy to make a to-do list of other, shorter tasks you “need” to complete first. But when we prioritise other things over writing, we tell ourselves that our writing isn’t important.
Also, it’s easy for small tasks to build and distractions to appear as the day goes on. If you don’t start the day writing, you give more time for other things to get in the way and, before you know it, the day is over.
Another advantage to writing in the morning is you have rested your brain. If you wait until later in the day, you might be too tired to engage your creativity as effectively.
Whatever your preferred time to write, make a habit of writing at the same time every day. You will train your brain to know when to get focused before writing. Over time, your brain will expect it and, so, kickstart your creativity out of habit.
2. Go for a walk or run first
There is a close connection between walking and writing. Dickens, Thoreau, and Woolf were all avid walkers, and Murakami even wrote a book about the parallels between writing and running!
Going for a walk or a jog, even just around the block, will get your blood pumping and free your brain from distractions, so you’re fresh and focused before writing.
Plus, a change of scenery provides opportunities for additional inspiration.
3. Start the night before
Approach your writing like a professional athlete and start your prep the night before by getting a good night’s sleep. Just as you should avoid online distractions in the mornings before writing, avoid them at least an hour or two before bed, as well.
The more rested you are, the more easily you can tap into your creativity the next day.
So, put away your screens and read a book for inspiration instead. Disconnecting will help you boost your creativity, sleep better, and feel more focused before writing the next day.
4. Have a good writing spot
Your surroundings should help you focus before, as well as during, writing. Create your ideal writing nest by pinning up inspirational quotes, writing tips from authors, and little reminders of your writing ambitions.
Surround yourself with objects that make you feel happy, creative, and excited to write. You can also find inspiration in writing spots outside the home. Cafes, parks, and gardens all make for lovely writing locales, providing the people you see and hear there inspire rather than distract.
5. Meditate before you start
Meditation is an excellent form of exercise for your brain, and one of the most effective ways to become focused before writing.
Keep in mind, meditation isn’t a one-size-fits-all tool, and there are many ways to meditate. You should take some time to figure out what works best for you.
Fortunately, YouTube has loads of meditation videos aimed at writers and creatives (like this NaNoWriMo themed meditation for writers), so it’s easy to find something that will suit your preferred approach.
6. Keep a diary
Another way to put yourself in a positive frame of mind, so you can be better focused before writing, is by keeping a journal. Before you start to write proper, jot down a few sentences in your diary about how you feel. Or if you struggle to do this, list three things you’re grateful for on that particular day (try to make this list unique every day), as well as three things you’d like to achieve before the day is over.
These small lists will prompt positive feelings towards the writing process. If you feel frustrated at some point, take a break and read over your gratitude entries to remind yourself that life isn’t so bad and that you’re fortunate to have some time to be creative.
7. Start with a writing prompt
Runners need to stretch before they run, and the same applies to writers and writing. Writing prompts are an excellent way to get your creative muscles flexing.
They can also be useful for overcoming writer’s block by asking you to think outside the box.
Take a look at r/WritingPrompts for some suggestions.
8. Read what you wrote yesterday
A great trick to help you get focused before writing every day is to use the first few minutes to read over what you wrote the day before. Not only is this useful to get back into the mindset of your characters, but it can help you plan what you’d like to accomplish with your allocated writing time.
Reading back will also give you the chance to edit your book as you go, if this is something you like to do. But do your best to avoid the nitty-gritty details at this stage. Finish your manuscript first; edit it later.
Keep going
These eight tips will help you fine-tune your writing process, overcome writer’s block, and make it easier (and faster) to feel at your most creative.
Try not to feel frustrated if you get distracted easily. Focus is something that must be built up over time. Treat your writing creativity like a muscle and use these tips to strengthen it daily!
