If you’ve ever wanted to become a prolific writer, let’s learn how to do it, step-by-step. Writer and professor, Isaac Asimov authored or edited 500+ books. That would be enough to put us all to shame. But, no, he didn’t stop there. He wrote some 90,000 letters and postcards to fans, along with other short stories and essays.
We don’t need to reach Asimov standards, but we can increase our writing output. Whether we’re writing blogs, articles, or books, the same principles apply.
The tips in this article are based on three main factors:
- A system that has helped me write more and write faster
- What I’ve learned from others about prolific writing
- Habits of prolific writers.
Become a prolific writer tip #1: Get hooked on the process
When writing, do not focus solely on the end goal (for example a written book or article or newsletter). Instead, focus your energy on the process. The day-to-day showing up and writing. If you can fall in love with that process, even better. This can happen if you what you’re writing.
On the contrary, if you find you hate writing—or it bores you—here are a few suggestions:
Try varying your topic, niche, or even industry.
Again, back to Asimov (this is a real Asimov lovefest, here). His writing varied. He wrote about sci-fi, philosophy, and religion. Writing about the same topic can get dull. Change it up.
Another idea: try mixing seemingly disparate topics. One of my favorite bloggers, James Altucher, calls this “idea sex“.
For example, I believe in self-care. But most people have no idea how to create a self-care plan they stick to. So, I’ve been quietly (up until now) working on a self-care plan based on the concept behind nursing care plans. As a former nurse, I have the knowledge base to do that. Voila! Hot, steamy idea sex.
Let’s cool down, shall we?
Or not.
Can you have idea sex with your writing? It’ll spice things up and re-ignite your writing love (no, I’m not a former marriage counselor as well).
But I want to make something clear. Love does not equal full-time bliss. Just like being in love with a person, there are good and bad days. There are things they do that enamor you and things that make you want to stick your head in a pot and boil it.
Writing is not all saccharine sweetness, all of the time. Beware of that, and don’t give up on projects too soon just because you’re having a bad writing day (or week or month, even).
Become a prolific writer tip #2: never stop learning
The more you learn, the more fuel you have for your writing. One trend I see among bloggers, especially, is only staying within their niche. Try learning something totally outside of your niche. Take a local class, binge-read on a topic for a few months, or find a mentor in a hobby or subject you’ve always wanted to know more about.
Never. Stop. Learning. And not just about writing and creativity. Expand your overall knowledge base, and you’ll always have things to write about.
Prolific writer tip #3: embrace sheer, utter, ruthlessness
Writing is a ruthless endeavor. You cannot write while doing anything else. You have to shut out the rest of the world to write. You have to sharpen your focus skills. If you need help, here’s my article on how to get into a state of deep focus.
This is me daily:
No, I won’t scroll through your most recent Facebook album starring your cat (or anybody else’s). Yes, they’re cute. No, I don’t have the time.
No, I can’t spend hours on the phone yapping about some of my favorite shows like Six Feet Under and Sanford and Son. Well, I can. But not if I want to be a prolific writer. No judgment here. Simply make your choice.
Don’t be afraid to say no. A lot.
When I’m knee-deep in a big writing project, I cut phone conversations short, I don’t stay out late (because it affects my early morning writing sessions), and I manage every hour of my schedule like a hawk. I set firm boundaries. I’m selfish with my time. There, I said it. There’s just no other way. Again, make your choice.
Become a ruthless writer.
Write, even while the house is burning down. Okay, this is a stretch. But start focusing your mind on your writing and tune out from the whirlwind of distractions and family drama going on around you (how do I know you have family drama? Simple. We all do).
Become a prolific writer tip #4: write rough
I have long accepted that my first (and 2nd, and sometimes 3rd) drafts are crap. Utter crap. This takes the immense ‘I’m a professional writer’-pressure off my back, where otherwise it sits, glaring over my shoulder at my screen, hurling harsh criticisms over every typed word.
Here’s an excerpt from an essay by Bird by Bird author, Anne Lamott (please tell me you’ve read Bird by Bird. If not, please do. Soon). Where was I? Oh, the excerpt, right.
“I know some very great writers, writers you love who write beautifully and have made a great deal of money, and not one of them sits down routinely feeling wildly enthusiastic and confident. Not one of them writes elegant first drafts. All right, one of them does, but we do not like her very much.”
Another thing that helps with this is keeping a writing journal. Your writing journal becomes your safe space to write ‘rough’ and write without the concern of other people judging you. Your writing journal is for your eyes only.
Become a prolific writer tip #5: set your rhythm
To become a prolific writer, you need to find your writing rhythm.
Do you write best every morning before the kids wake up? Make it a habit. Every morning.
Or, is your writing game strongest once you set up at your local coffee shop and get high on your favorite latte? Then, do that.
Establish a rhythm and routine for your writing and stick with it. Your body and mind will respond to the rhythm and reward you with words. A plethora of them.
Setting a writing rhythm also helps you to write unconditionally. Unconditional writing is based on writing whether or not you feel inspired, or whether or not you’re in the mood. To have the most productive writing sessions, you need to get into the habit of a rhythm, whether inspired or not.
Become a prolific writer tip #6: courage
Writing takes courage. That’s my motto. It turns out it was Asimov’s, too. Well, maybe he didn’t obsess about it as I do.
The point? He didn’t care about critics. He wrote past any fear of criticism. He was open about his awareness of his critics and how it didn’t hinder him. The more you can tune out your fear of rejection and criticism and turn on your focus and drive, the more words you will write.
You’ve got to take off the mask and write through the fear. I call this raw writing.
So, what now?
Guide in hand, take one concept, and implement it. Maybe you’ll spend this week focusing on writing rough and dirty or perhaps you’ll hone in on falling in love with your writing. This all sounds quite R-rated, somehow.
Pick one concept. Just one. Melt it into your writing life and then come back for another. Rinse and repeat. Doing it this way, one thing at a time makes the whole prolific writing idea more feasible.
I’m up for the challenge, are you?
[…] to fear. Two of my writer’s block antidotes: Creating solid outlines and establishing set rhythms and routines for my writing […]