# Writing Habit Mastery - How to Write 2,000 Words a Day and Forever Cure Writer’s Block

## Metadata
- Author: [[S.J. Scott]]
- Full Title: Writing Habit Mastery - How to Write 2,000 Words a Day and Forever Cure Writer’s Block
- Category: #books
## Highlights
- http://www.authormagazine.org/articles/thayer_james_2009_04_09.htm ([Location 175](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=175))
- If I’m interested in it, there’s an audience of people just like me who will appreciate it. ([Location 219](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=219))
- it’s safer to write about topics you truly are interested in and know a lot about. Your authenticity will shine. ([Location 222](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=222))
- The Pomodoro Technique is named after a popular timer that looks like a tomato (hence the name “pomodoro,” which is Italian for tomato.) The timer was used like any old kitchen timer, but Cirillo experimented with time blocking until he discovered what is considered the most effective usage of time blocks (for efficiency in work production). When using the technique, you will want to: ** 1. Choose a task. ** 2. Set a timer for 25 minutes. ** 3. Work for 25 minutes without any distractions, refusing to stop for anything. ** 4. Take a five-minute break. ** 5. Go back to work for another 25 minutes. ** 6. After every four time blocks (of 25 minutes of work and five minutes of a break), take a 15–30 minute break. ([Location 329](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=329))
- I suggest you also write down why you didn’t write if you skipped a day, ([Location 370](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=370))
- Evaluate your productivity every two weeks. ([Location 380](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=380))
- Look for patterns on those days when you can create a lot of words. ([Location 381](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=381))
- You will probably want to establish two places as your writing locations—one at home and one away from home. This will help you be flexible for days when you can’t get out of the house or days when your home contains a gaggle of loud, rowdy family members. ([Location 427](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=427))
- Warning: Don’t allow yourself to become dependent on one location. If you do, you will run the risk of developing the mindset that you can only write in one special place. ([Location 431](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=431))
- Instead, your goal is to build momentum by creating a writing habit where you always reach the finish line ([Location 530](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=530))
- Break large goals into small, achievable projects with reasonable deadlines. ([Location 533](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=533))
- The problem is this: Most overly ambitious writers end up with a pile of half-written projects instead of a handful of completed works. If you want to succeed, you will need to work on one project at a time, finishing one project before you start another. ([Location 604](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=604))
- Every completed project will build your confidence. Every half-finished project will erode your motivation. ([Location 621](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=621))
- This is where bundling of material by topic can be helpful. You will want to work on all your “novel stuff” for half the month, and then put it all aside while you focus on your “new short story series stuff” for the last two weeks of the month. This way you are bundling material such that you get to think about the mini-projects as one project. This will keep you from feeling scattered. ([Location 645](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=645))
- This sort of bundling will allow you to think about one topic at a time. ([Location 652](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=652))
- You might think it’s kind of corny to keep an idea book, but you’ll be amazed at how useful this can be. As you jot down one idea, you’ll often find out that there is a second, or even third and fourth idea attached to that first idea. Sometimes the jotting of a single note will turn into a mini-brainstorming session, resulting in an entire scene or chapter. ([Location 787](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=787))
- An idea book works if you: ** Carry it everywhere you go. ** Add to it constantly. ** Refer to it at least once a month. ** Deliberately engage in activities that stir up ideas for you ([Location 793](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=793))
- In the most basic of terms, your writing process will look like this: ** Outline ** Research ** Write 1st draft ** Write 2nd draft ** Write 3rd draft ** Edit ** Polish ([Location 819](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=819))
- Each step in this process has a purpose: ** 1. Outline – This is when you let your creative brain dump out all your thoughts on a subject. You will then organize those thoughts into an outline that makes sense of the jumbled ideas. ** 2. Research – Look for links, quotes, definitions and concepts that support your outline. Some people will choose to research before outlining, using the information collected in the research stage in the brainstorming part of outlining. ** 3. Write 1st draft – Use a stream of consciousness type of writing to just get the words down on the page. Do not worry about grammar, flow, structure or spelling. ** 4. Write the 2nd draft – You will now read through what you’ve written, reading for content (not grammar.) You will use this draft to reorganize, add supporting material and make sure each chapter makes sense. ([Location 839](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=839))
- ** 5. Write the 3rd draft – You will now read through your material, cutting out extraneous material and adding more supportive points or details. You will also edit for grammar, punctuation and spelling in this draft. Check facts and sources. ** 6. Editing – Hire a professional editor to go over the material. It’s very difficult to catch your own mistakes. ** 7. Final Proof – Look over the edits made by the professional editor and make final changes. This is the last polish. ([Location 848](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=848))
- Beware of getting off track while researching. This is one part of the process that can be dangerous. Many a writer has gotten off track while researching. It’s a way many of us procrastinate. Remember: You have committed to killing the procrastination tendency in your life. ([Location 949](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=949))
- The key to writing (and not getting stuck with writer’s block) is to do the following: ** Follow the outline. ** Refuse to question or alter the outline. ** Refuse to edit for spelling, grammar or even wording. ** Write notes to yourself about what you need to do to make this chapter work. (Use “comments” if you don’t like to write inside the text to yourself.) ** Write using sloppy language (if that’s what works for you.) ** Write more than what you think is necessary (and make a note to yourself saying “Condense later”), or write in bullet points if you can’t bring yourself to flesh something out. ([Location 969](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=969))
- ** Allow yourself to skip anything that doesn’t come to you quickly. ([Location 977](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B00EORO844&location=977))