10 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Start Writing

Summary

Writing a book is hard—writing anything is hard, and few things tempt procrastination like a blank page. That’s why we put together this no-nonsense list of strategies to help you stop putting off your writing and actually get started. From building sustainable writing habits and using visual tools to setting short-term goals, treating yourself for progress, and unplugging from distractions, we cover practical, beginner-friendly strategies that make writing less intimidating and more manageable. Whether it’s drafting your blurb before your first chapter or simply taking a walk to spark ideas, this article is designed to help you trick your brain into writing, one manageable step at a time.

Table of Contents

1. Schedule your writing sessions
2. Use visual aids to sketch out your plot
3. Write your blurb
4. Set short-term goals
5. Treat yourself
6. Join a writing community
7. Try freewriting
8. Get some air
9. Be ruthless with distractions
10. Remember it’s not the final draft

Alright, let’s get something out of the way first–we both know you’re here to procrastinate. That’s fine. No judgment here. Let’s make a deal – we’ll list a bunch of things we think helps dampen the urge to procrastinate, and then you’ll get back to your writing. No extra detours, no more articles. So without further ado, here’s how to stop procrastinating and start writing your book!

Enough procrastination, let’s get to it!

So let’s get started! Few activities are so intensely associated with procrastination as writing. Whether it’s writing up a report for work or school, writing that email or DM to a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, or just getting started on that book you’ve been meaning to write; our brains just don’t seem to go along with our ambitions when it comes to writing.  Blank pages staring you down, the ominous spectre of editing creeping around in the back of your mind. Not to mention that the act of writing involves baring your thoughts to strangers, which can be an intimidating prospect for a lot of people.

All in all, writing can be scary, so we tend to avoid doing it. As such, we thought it might be useful to share some tips on how to overcome that urge and postpone your procrastination session in favour of writing!

1. Schedule your writing

Many aspiring writers are under the impression that the key to a good writing session is a benevolent bolt of inspiration from above. For the lucky few who can conjure those regularly, that may very well be true. For most of us, however, the key is simply good old-fashioned persistence. Making writing into a habit will not only result in you writing more and better, but a consistent writing routine will also be far more likely to trigger those moments of electric inspiration that all writers are chasing.

How you schedule these writing sessions is completely up to you. They can be as long or as short as you like or have time for. You also don’t need to set any goals the point is that you do it regularly.  This may mean writing for 15 minutes every morning before work or setting aside an hour on weekends to work on your book project. Only manage to write a few lines? No worries, the important thing is that you make it a part of your routine and stick to it.

How to Schedule Your Writing Sessions:

• Set a Regular Time: Choose a specific time each day dedicated to writing. This could be early in the morning, during lunch breaks, or in the evening.
• Create a Writing Space: Designate a quiet, comfortable space for writing. This helps signal to your brain that it’s time to focus.
• Start Small: Begin with short sessions, even just 15 minutes a day. Gradually increase the time as writing becomes a more ingrained habit.
• Use a Calendar or Planner: Mark your writing sessions on a calendar or planner to keep track of your progress and stay committed.

It’s all rather like going to the gym. You really don’t want to at first, but once you’re done, you feel a lot better. And over time, you’ll also notice that you’re getting stronger, or have more stamina. It’s the same with writing. After a few weeks or months of regular writing, you’ll find that you’ll be able to make better use of those 15 minutes before work (for instance) than you did a whole evening of writing before.

2. Use visual aids to sketch out your plot

Whether you’re a mindmap enjoyer or a timeline enthusiast, using diagrams to visualize your story is a great way to ease yourself into writing when the urge to procrastinate hits. Granted, it’s not quite writing, but it’s not really procrastination either. Once you’ve finished your plot outline in front of you, you’ll have been processing your story for long enough that slipping into actually writing it should go relatively smoothly. Plus, you’ll have a great tool for counteracting any writer’s block you might experience later on.

Tips for Using Visual Aids:

• Mind Maps: Start with a central idea and branch out with related concepts, characters, and plot points.
• Timelines: Create a chronological timeline of events to see how your story unfolds.
• Storyboards: Use images and notes to visualize key scenes and transitions.

3. Write your blurb first

We’re big fans of the “blurb first” method of writing here at Bookmundo. It’s exactly what it sounds like. The very first thing you do when starting a book project is write the blurb. The idea is that this method will help get you thinking about your story in its entirety, rather than just diving into the details and risking getting bogged down.

Benefits of Writing Your Blurb First:

• Clarifies Your Vision: Writing a blurb forces you to distill your story’s essence, helping you understand the core of your narrative.
• Identifies Weaknesses: It can highlight areas of your story that need more development or clarity.
• Serves as a Guide: Use the blurb as a reference point to keep your writing on track.

Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from trying this even if you’ve already started writing. In fact, if you find yourself procrastinating, there’s probably a reason for it. This could be anything from you not enjoying working on a particular chapter, to feeling less than confident about a certain plot point, section of dialogue, or even just the overall direction of your story.

Writing the blurb allows you to take a step back and evaluate if your story is actually working. Does it sound interesting? Is there a clear conflict or hook to draw readers in? Are all the main characters and their motivations properly introduced?

This is a great way to clear your mind and get your creative bearings, and thanks to its low barrier to entry, this is a great way to stop procrastinating on writing.

4. Set short-term goals

So you know how we just said you don’t have to set goals if you don’t want to? That’s still the case. Nevertheless, some people find it helpful to set short-term goals when they’re trying to make writing a habit. For example, depending on how far along you are, you could aim to write a chapter a week, or perhaps a certain number of pages a day. It’s all up to you, and there’s no such thing as too little or too much. This is about finding a flow that complements your lifestyle and motivation.

Examples of Short-Term Goals:

• Daily Word Count: Aim for a specific number of words each day, such as 500 or 1,000 words.
• Chapter Completion: Set a goal to complete a chapter by the end of the week.
• Time-Based Goals: Write for a set amount of time each day, such as 30 minutes or an hour.

By setting yourself short-term goals, you give yourself something tangible to work towards and can track your progress. It also helps break down the daunting task of writing into smaller, achievable chunks.

Another benefit of setting short-term goals is that it creates a sense of accountability. When you have a specific goal in mind, you are more likely to follow through on your writing habit because you don’t want to let yourself down. Just think of how Duolingo’s adorable mascot Duo tries to get you to do your language lessons every day!

Short-term goals just happen to be a great segue into the next point. After you complete some of those short-term goals you set, it’s time to:

5. Treat yourself

Most of us probably do this already. We allow ourselves a certain snack after hitting the gym, a glass of wine after work, you name it. Well, why not introduce a similar reward system for yourself when writing? Much like working and working out, it’s an activity that requires discipline and dedication, so there’s no reason not to extend the same reward regimen to it. As you know, it’s much less attractive to procrastinate if that also means postponing that tantalizing reward you give yourself for completing the task at hand!

Reward Ideas:

• Small Treats: Enjoy a favourite snack or beverage after a writing session.
• Breaks: Take a short break to do something enjoyable, like watching a TV show, playing a game, or grabbing a coffee with a friend.
• Big Rewards: Plan a larger reward for reaching significant milestones, such as finishing a chapter or completing a draft. This can be a larger purchase you’ve been mulling over for a while, a meal at your favourite restaurant, or opening that bottle of something you’ve been saving for a special occasion.

6. Join a Writing Community

Writing can often feel like a solitary endeavour, but it doesn’t have to be. Joining–and engaging with–a writing community can provide you with support, feedback, and motivation. Being part of a community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for writing can be incredibly encouraging and inspiring.

Benefits of Joining a Writing Community:

• Feedback and Critique: Receive constructive feedback on your work from fellow writers.
• Accountability: Share your goals and progress with the community to stay accountable.
• Networking: Connect with other writers, editors, and publishing professionals.
• Workshops and Events: Participate in writing workshops, webinars, and events to improve your skills.

How to Find a Writing Community:

• Online Forums: Join online writing forums and groups on platforms like Reddit, Facebook, or specialized writing websites.
• Local Writing Groups: Look for local writing groups or clubs in your area.
• Writing Classes: Enroll in writing classes or workshops offered by community centers, libraries, or online platforms.

7. Practice Freewriting

Freewriting is a technique where you write continuously for a set period without worrying about grammar, spelling, or making sense. The goal is to keep your pen moving or your fingers typing without stopping. This exercise can help you overcome writer’s block, generate new ideas, and improve your writing flow.

How to Practice Freewriting:

• Set a Timer: Choose a specific amount of time, such as 10 or 15 minutes.
• Write Non-Stop: Write continuously without stopping, even if you have to write nonsense or repeat the same word.
• Don’t Edit: Avoid editing or correcting your work as you write. The goal is to keep the ideas flowing.
• Review Later: After the timer goes off, review what you’ve written and highlight any useful ideas or phrases.

Benefits of Freewriting:

• Overcomes Writer’s Block: Helps you break through mental blocks and get your creative juices flowing.
• Generates Ideas: Can lead to unexpected ideas and insights that you can develop further.
• Improves Writing Flow: Encourages a more natural and fluid writing style.

8. Get some air

If your situation allows for it, we cannot recommend this enough. If you find yourself staring at a blank page, either with your head overflowing with thoughts or completely devoid of them, go for a walk. Your brain is a bit like one of those outboard motors with a rope start; a bit of movement can really get the machinery going. Don’t ask us how – neuroscience is not our strong suit.

Nevertheless, whether it’s the change of scenery and the impressions that come with it, or simply the act of walking itself, a stroll will often dampen the urge to procrastinate and may even get your creative juices flowing!

Benefits of Taking a Walk:

• Clears Your Mind: A change of scenery can help clear mental blocks and spark new ideas.
• Boosts Creativity: Physical activity can stimulate creative thinking.
• Reduces Stress: Walking can help reduce stress and anxiety, making it easier to focus when you return to writing.

While we suppose you could argue that going for a stroll when you should be writing is, in itself, a form of procrastination, you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.

9. Be ruthless with distractions

The time where one could blissfully sit at a Parisian corner café hammering away at one’s typewriter without being subjected to countless distractions is long gone. We’re expected to be reachable 24/7. But how often are we actually contacted about something truly urgent? Think of your concentration as a bucket full of water. Each piece of communication technology at your disposal is a little hole in that bucket. Your phone, social media, even your internet connection (depending on your discipline) is slowly but steadily draining your concentration bucket. So, to minimize the risk of procrastination, you’ve got to plug those holes–by unplugging your router.

We know, we know. Perish the thought. What if that cute barista finally texts you? Well, it’s probably a good idea not to seem too eager anyway, and you can always blame your delayed reply on the fact that you were busy writing your very own book, i.e. a killer conversation starter.

“But I need the internet to do research for my book!” you might say. Well, in that case, we suggest splitting writing and research into two separate modules. Do research one day, and spend the next day writing based on that research (offline!). Besides, even if you desperately need to fact-check something, there’s no hurry. Just leave a placeholder and come back to it later.

Tips for Minimizing Distractions:

• Turn Off Notifications: Silence your phone and turn off notifications on your computer. You can even consider turning off your internet entirely.
• Use Apps: Consider using apps that block distracting websites and apps during your writing sessions.
• Set Boundaries: Let friends and family know your writing schedule so they can avoid interrupting you.

10. Remember it’s not the final draft!

If you’re at all serious about your book, then you will be spending just as much time (probably more) editing your manuscript as you did writing it. So if the fear of messing up is what’s making you procrastinate, don’t worry–you’re going to mess some stuff up no matter how good of a writer you are. That’s what editing is for. That’s why editors are a thing.

In other words, your first draft is by no means the end of it, so there’s no need to put it off for fear of not doing well enough. Just focus on getting words onto that page for now, whether they’re good or not. Often, you’ll find yourself stumbling upon new ideas while doing this and end up writing some decent material.

Embrace the First Draft:

• Focus on Progress: Aim to get your ideas down on paper without worrying about perfection.
• Edit Later: Remind yourself that you can always revise and improve your work during the editing process.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate each step forward, no matter how small.

Much of the time, the first draft of anything is going to leave something to be desired in terms of quality. Learn to accept all the products of your writing sessions, even what you consider subpar–you will be able to polish it for as long as you need to, after all. That’s part of the beauty of writing – unlike spoken words, there’s no need to get it right the first time around.

You’ve hit your procrastination quota for the day!

Getting started is often the hardest part—but it’s also the most important. And for better or worse, starting is something you’re going to have to do every time you sit down to write. Whether you’re outlining your story, writing your back-cover blurb first, or simply committing to ten focused minutes a day, the key is to find what works for you and lean into it. Writing doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle every time. With the right mindset, a few clever tricks, and a bit of self-compassion, you can turn the blank page from something you dread into something you look forward to. So take a breath, pick a method, and start writing—your story’s waiting.