Welcome to the Productivity for Writers Series!
The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on where we’re at, how far we’ve come, and where we’d like to go next.
Over the next three weeks, I’ll be giving you some insight into my perspective on productivity and how it applies to the creative writing process. I think all of us would like to have a productive writing year in 2024. (I know I would!)
What is productivity?
We will not be using the official definition for productivity today. For our purposes, I am defining productivity as any progress that moves us toward our creative goals.
Sometimes we focus too much on word counts and pages written, neglecting aspects of the creative process that are invisible or feel like steps in the wrong direction. We will discuss and develop goals for our writing, but more importantly, we will focus on the process of becoming a productive writer—a writer who consistently moves toward their creative goals.
Yes, output matters. Without words, you won't have a story or book. For those of you who hope to traditionally publish, you will have deadlines to meet that are likely shorter than you are used to. But the secret to consistent writing output is consistent reflection. Of your work. Of your mindset. Of your process.
Reflection Exercise #1
Before we can make concrete plans for a more productive writing life, we need to know where we're at and where we want to go.
Prompt 1: Who are you as a writer right now? Do you even consider yourself a writer? What does your writing life currently look like?
Prompt 2: Who do you want to be as a writer? What does your ideal writing life look like?
Where's your head at?
No one is born knowing how to write. Good writing is a skill like any other, one you can learn...as long as you have the right mindset.
You do not need to be published to be a writer. You do not need to make money from writing to be a writer. You don't even need to be good at writing to be a writer. You just need to write.
You don't need anyone's permission to be a writer, but in case you feel like you do, here's mine. I hereby declare you a writer.
The mindset we bring to the page matters. If we don't feel we are capable, if we don't believe we can learn, if we don't believe the work we do is important, then our writing will suffer. This doesn't mean thinking we are perfect. It means getting real with ourselves. Having the mindset of a writer requires getting comfortable with failure and rejection and learning from it.
Because here's the secret, whether or not you get paid or published, the work of writing is the same. I still wake up, open my word doc, and write a lot of really bad words. I still cut most of my first drafts. I still depend on my beta readers for feedback. I still stare into space and worry I will never pull off whatever book I'm working on.
I won't lie, having your work published and read is thrilling. But (most likely) it will not change your life. You will probably not be able to quit your day job. Writing is hard. The only reason to be a writer is because you love writing. Learn to love the process, as messy and chaotic as it is, because the only guarantee in the writing life is that you will need to get words on the page.
To be a productive writer, you must have a growth mindset.
In the words of Carol S. Dweck, the social scientist who pioneered research on the importance of mindset:
"Individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies, and input from others) have a growth mindset. They tend to achieve more than those with a more fixed mindset (those who believe their talents are innate gifts). This is because they worry less about looking smart and they put more energy into learning."
Reflection Exercise #2
Prompt 1: Do you currently have a growth mindset about your writing? If so, what are your strengths as a writer? Where do you have opportunities for growth as a writer? If you don't currently have a growth mindset about your writing, what thoughts or fears are preventing you from having a growth mindset?
Prompt 2: Having a growth mindset means learning from failure. How comfortable are you with failure? What failures have you experienced in the past? How did you react to these failures? Do you brush failures aside or pause to reflect and learn from these failures?
Takeaways
You do not need permission to consider yourself a writer.
The mindset you bring to the page matters.
Get comfortable with failure. This will help you to get real about your writing so you can grow.
Resources
“Shitty First Drafts” by Anne Lamott
Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert
"What having a growth mindset actually means" by Carol Dweck
That’s all for today! Next week , we’ll be chatting all about goal-setting!
XO, SGR
Want to chat about these reflection prompts with writers just like you? Join my Facebook group, That’s the Butts! Babes.
Reminders, Events, and Giveaways!
Last Call at the Local will finally be out on January 2nd, 2024! Ahhhh!
Personalized signed copies can be ordered through Quail Ridge books in Raleigh, North Carolina, where you can also grab signed copies of my other books, Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships and Luck and Last Resorts. Just be sure to add in the comment box that you would like a signed copy!
I am personally inviting you to the launch event for Last Call at the Local at Quail Ridge Books on January 3rd! Afterward the event at Quail Ridge, I’ll be having a casual little after-party at O’Malley’s Pub & Restaurant.
There are two giveaways currently running that feature Last Call at the Local. Enter them by following the links below!
Last Call at the Local Goodreads Giveaway!
Winter Love Sweepstakes (which features a ton of amazing books!