My journey to attempt to write my first book!
Hey everyone! So, I've been getting some questions about how I manage my writing journey, especially when it comes to staring at a screen for hours. It's tough, right? But I've found a few things that really help me keep my book project on track, especially when I'm using an app or just my good old laptop screen. Choosing Your 'Journey App' (or Writing Platform!) For me, Google Docs has been my go-to. I love that it saves everything automatically and I can access it from anywhere. It's like my personal writing hub, making the entire journey smoother. I've even started my prologue and first sentence there, and it's amazing to see the word count tick up. But I know some friends swear by Scrivener for organizing complex stories, or Notion for outlining. My main advice? Find something that feels intuitive and doesn't distract you. The important thing is getting those words down and making progress. The Power of Your Writing Screen Don't underestimate your laptop screen! While some people prefer pen and paper for drafting, I find the digital format incredibly efficient for editing and tracking my word count. Seeing that '1091 words' pop up on my screen, like in my recent progress, is such a motivator! It’s visual proof that I’m moving forward. I make sure to set up my screen for optimal comfort – good lighting, a comfortable chair, and sometimes even a blue light filter to reduce eye strain. This helps me focus for longer periods on my writing. Breaking Down the Journey Writing a whole book can feel incredibly overwhelming, almost like an impossible journey. My trick is to break it down into smaller, manageable steps. Instead of telling myself 'write a book,' I aim for 'write a prologue today' or 'finish this chapter.' I use the comments feature in Google Docs to leave notes for myself or mark areas for revision. It's like having a conversation with future me, guiding me through the story. Staying Motivated on the Digital Page It's easy to get distracted online when your entire writing world is on a screen. I often use a timer – 25 minutes of focused writing, then a 5-minute break. This 'Pomodoro technique' really helps me make progress without burning out. And celebrating small wins, like hitting that 1000-word milestone or perfecting the first sentence of a new chapter, keeps the momentum going. It's all part of the journey! Finding Your Rhythm Every writer's journey is unique. Some people write best early in the morning, others late at night. Experiment with different times and environments. I've found that having a dedicated 'writing screen' time slot in my day, even if it's just an hour, makes all the difference. It signals to my brain that it's time to focus on my book. Don't Forget to Step Away As much as we rely on our screens for writing, sometimes the best ideas come when we step away. A short walk, brewing a cup of tea – these breaks can refresh your mind and help you tackle those tricky plot points when you return to your writing screen. Keep pushing forward, fellow authors! Every word counts on this amazing journey.
