Writing Long Pieces? You Need These Tips
While they’re both about putting down ideas on paper, there exists notable differences between composing long and short pieces. If you’re looking at the prospect of extended writing (such as a novel, a book or a 100-page thesis), you may want to follow these time-tested ideas designed to aid in those pursuits.
1. Keep your working time sacred. Do what you can to protect your working hours. No one else is interested in giving you time to work except yourself. If you let other things take that time away, you’ve lost it forever.
2. Be willing to adapt. If what you’re doing isn’t working, don’t be afraid to try something new. Just remember not to deviate too far from your existing process. Tweaking just enough to realize some improvements is what you should aim for, not completely overhauling the way you work.
3. Be proactive. Got time to write now? Do it. For longer works, the more days you procrastinate, the shorter your window to finish gets. Strive to get as much done as soon as possible.
4. Set reasonable priorities. Your work is important. However, so is your life beyond it. Many writers fail in longer-term ventures because they fail to take into account that other things in their lives – like their families – can take precedence over their writing. Be reasonable.
5. Use a working journal. Since you’ll be writing a while, keeping a journal can show how your different habits and behavior can affect the way you work. You’ll turn up many surprises this way. I have one friend who found out, for instance, that skipping coffee in the morning actually improved her productivity.
6. Get help. Most people will struggle to finish a long piece of writing on their own. Find a way to get feedback from others, either by forming a study group or joining writers’ forums online. You can also pay professionals to look at your work (if you have the budget) or use one of those advanced writing software as a feedback mechanism for the early stages.