Five Ways to Keep Your Butt in the Chair

I'm reading a book called The Happiness Project. (Great book by the way if you're looking at examining the level of happiness in your life and adding more.)

Anyway, the author, Gretchen Rubin is a writer by trade and talks a bit about writing in the book. One of the things she mentions is that most writers don't like to write. They may like the research, or editing, finishing project, putting ideas together, etc. but the actual act of writing can be a chore.

What a relief! I thought I was weird. I hear people say, "I LOVE writing," and I'm thinking, "Seriously? You have no problem keeping your butt in the chair?"

Writing is About More than the Keyboard

Writing is about more than sitting at your laptop and banging out words. I write a lot of articles, and besides writing, you research, interview, type up notes, gather photos, check facts, edit, as well and spend time trying to play well with others (editors, proofers, publishers).

Of all the pieces, writing is by far the hardest for me. In fact, despite what anyone says, it can be down right grueling at times. The final product no matter how fabulous, is never as cool as I imaged it would be. And although it's gratifying to have the completed article and a paycheck (and I truly enjoy being a writer, don't get me wrong) I thank god for deadlines, or I'd probably never finish a piece.

Your Own Stories

It's even harder though to keep my butt in the chair when it's a script or story. There are no deadlines to push me forward, just passion for my story.

I can have piles of notes, all kinds of cool scenes I've been working for weeks, or even months, and when I sit down to write them up, suddenly a run to the store for groceries or weeding will take precedence.

The hard truth is that writing takes discipline. And sometimes that discipline is hard to come by. So what can you do?

5 Ways to Keep you Butt in the Chair

So here are a few techniques I use. If you have some, please feel free to let us know.

• Join a writers group that requires you bring pages to each group session.

• Hire a writing coach

• Go somewhere fun to write — like a coffee shop, or your favorite sofa

• Treat yourself when you're done

• Make it a habit. Even if it's just 5 minutes, challenge yourself to sit down at 7 a.m. and write. After a few weeks it will feel weird if you're not writing at that time.

These are few that have worked (at times) for me. Mostly though, you've just got to bite the bullet and as Nike says, "just do it". You'll be happy you did though. I've never once regretted I spent time writing, and I'm guessing neither have you.

Happy writing!

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