5 Proven Strategies to Get You Writing

We all love the idea of being productive writers, dreaming of flowing effortlessly from idea to idea, finishing drafts, and checking off word count goals. But let’s be honest: some days, the motivation just isn’t there. Whether it’s burnout, stress, or good old-fashioned procrastination, staying productive can be hard. That’s why I’ve gathered a few of my favorite strategies to help you get back into your creative groove. These aren’t magic fixes, but they are small shifts that can make a big difference in how often you write.

Tip #1: Set a Timer for Five Minutes

Fun fact: you can do anything for five minutes. If you can’t bring yourself to sit down for a full writing session, set a timer for five minutes. For five minutes do whatever you need to do during that session. When the timer goes off, you can quit without any guilt because that is what you committed to that day. Even if you only get five minutes of writing time in, it is still better than getting zero minutes in.

More often than not, you will find yourself motivated to do more than five minutes. You just needed a way to get over the initial hurdle of beginning. With your boost of motivation, you will end up having a full writing session and feel accomplished. This is one of my favorite strategies to use. I always find myself going back to it when I need to motivate myself to write more.

Tip #2: Play a Word Game

If you have a wall of writer’s block that won’t break, you need a creative vacation. A creative vacation is my term for when you focus on something completely different from your work in progress. By focusing on something else other than your work in progress (WIP), you alleviate the pressure that WIP has caused. When the pressure is off, creative juices begin to flow.

My favorite way to go on a creative vacation is to play a word game using The Writer’s Toolbox. The Writer’s Toolbox has four different “games” you can play that provide different writing prompts. Most of the exercises end up being wacky, so you can have a lot of fun when writing. After you play a word game, your creativity will be loosened up, so you can apply it to your WIP because all the writing pressure has been removed. If you want to see The Writer’s Toolbox in action, check out this Instagram Reel I did trying out all the different word games.

Tip #3: Apply Light Pressure

This is not one of my top recommendations because it causes unneeded stress, but if you thrive under pressure, you may need to create some in your writing routine. When you procrastinate on a major project and then have to meet a deadline, you are filled with adrenaline. This adrenaline causes you to work like crazy until you have a finished product. People do this all the time when it comes to school and work, so why not apply it to your writing routine?

Set major deadlines for yourself to have things completed by. Put them in a calendar and set reminders, so this deadline can’t escape your mind. In order for this to work, you need to treat this deadline as an assignment that you can’t miss completing. By doing this, you apply light pressure to force yourself to get things done. Either you will work slow and steady to meet your deadline, or you will procrastinate and work like a maniac to finish. Either way your writing will be completed.

Tip #4: Associate Scents and Music with Your Routine

It’s amazing what links our brains can create when doing tasks within the same environment. If you don’t have the space to create your own writing area, try using the same scents and music when writing. By using the same scent or music when writing, your brain will eventually associate those items with your writing routine. This means every time you light a certain candle or listen to a certain playlist, your brain will enter writing mode.

To make this technique even more fun, try choosing a scent and music that goes well with your WIP. Make sure the scent and music is special and not something you would use for anything else! 

Tip #5: Make Sure You’re Writing Something that Resonates with You

Have you really asked yourself why you’re struggling to write? Maybe you are forcing a project on yourself that you aren’t enjoying anymore. While I don’t like to advise writers to quit their projects, it may be the time if you don’t have the passion for it anymore. In Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert talks about how if we shelf a project for too long, the creative idea leaves us and passes to another creative. Not enjoying your idea anymore is okay.

Ask yourself if you really want to write what you’re writing. If the answer is no, it is time to go back to the drawing board and try to write something different. In order to be productive with your writing time, make sure you’re writing something that resonates with you. It will make your writing come easier and bring you joy every time you work on your project.

Conclusion

Every writer struggles with motivation and consistency from time to time. What matters most is finding strategies that work for you. Whether it’s setting a five-minute timer, playing a word game, or simply lighting a candle that puts you in writing mode, each of these tips is designed to help you reconnect with your creativity. Writing doesn't always have to be a battle. Sometimes, it just needs a fresh approach. Try a few of these out and see which ones spark your creativity.