Maintaining a Sustainable Writing Practice

by Zena Dell Lowe @ZenaDellLowe

Writing is a marathon, not a sprint, and it’s crucial to find a balance that keeps you productive and passionate without burning out. Your creativity is a precious resource. Ensuring sustainable practices will help you maintain both your mental and physical well-being, allowing you to write effectively over the long haul. Today, I want to give you a few tips to help yourself maintain sustainable writing habits. 

Creating a Balanced Writing Schedule

First, let's talk about scheduling. Setting realistic goals and sticking to a routine that works for you is crucial. Consistency is key, whether it's writing a few hundred words a day or dedicating specific hours each week. Find a pace that you can maintain long-term. Here are three sample schedules that real writers have used:

1. Daily Word Count Goal: Aim to write 500 words every day. This approach works well for writers who thrive on daily progress and can dedicate a specific time each day to writing. For example, a writer might wake up early each morning to write before starting their day.

2. Weekly Hourly Commitment: Set aside 10 hours a week for writing. This might mean two hours every weekday, leaving weekends free for other activities. For example, schedule weekday writing sessions from 7-9 PM after dinner.

3. Monthly Milestones: Set a goal to complete one chapter or a certain number of pages each month. This method is ideal for writers with variable schedules who need flexibility. A writer might aim to finish a 20-page chapter by the end of the month.

These schedules help ensure that writing becomes a regular part of your routine, helping you make steady progress without overwhelming yourself, but it’s essential that you plan out your schedule in advance and add these writing times to your schedule.

Avoiding Burnout

Burnout is a common issue among writers, and avoiding it is essential for a sustainable practice. Burnout often stems from:

1. Overcommitment: Trying to do too much too quickly can lead to physical and mental exhaustion.

2. Lack of Variety: Focusing solely on one project without diversifying your creative input can stifle inspiration.

3. Pressure and Perfectionism: Unrealistic expectations and a fear of failure can drain your enthusiasm and energy.

To avoid burnout, try these specific strategies:

• Schedule Regular Breaks: Use the Pomodoro technique—25 minutes of focused writing followed by a 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer break. This method helps maintain productivity without exhausting your mental resources. 

• Diversify Your Activities: Balance writing with other creative pursuits like drawing, playing an instrument, or even cooking. Engaging in different forms of creativity can inspire new ideas and keep your mind fresh.

• Set Boundaries: Define your work hours and stick to them. Make sure to have time for relaxation and non-writing activities. This separation helps maintain a healthy work-life balance.

• Manage Expectations: Set achievable goals and recognize that it's okay if some days are less productive than others. Accepting that every writing day won’t be perfect can alleviate unnecessary pressure.

• Connect with Nature: Spend time outdoors to refresh your mind and gain new perspectives. A walk in the park or a hike can clear your thoughts and provide renewed inspiration.

Staying Motivated

Motivation can ebb and flow, but you can keep your passion alive by connecting with a community of writers, setting small, achievable goals, and celebrating your milestones. Here are some practical guidelines to help you in these areas: 

• Set Small, Achievable Goals: Aim to write 1,000 words a day or complete a chapter each week. These goals keep you moving forward without overwhelming you. For instance, if you’re working on a novel, breaking it down into manageable daily or weekly tasks can make the project seem less daunting.

• Celebrate Milestones: Reward yourself for reaching milestones. Finished a chapter? Treat yourself to a favorite snack or a night out. Celebrating small victories can keep you motivated and give you something to look forward to.

• Join a Community: Engaging with a community can provide support, feedback, and inspiration without taking away from your writing time. Find a group that shares your goals and interests and look for ways to encourage as well as be encouraged. 

I often get asked how long it should take to complete a novel. Here’s a realistic timeline of what you might expect from start to finish:

• First Draft: 3-6 months

• Break: 2 weeks

• Revisions: 1-3 months

• Feedback and Critique: 1-2 months

• Final Revisions and Polishing: 1-2 months

For more experienced writers, this may be too long, and for others, way too short, but this is a reasonable timeframe to shoot for, especially for a first project. This process will keep you moving forward, while also (hopefully) ensuring ample time to thoroughly develop your story, get adequate feedback, and make sure your finished manuscript is ready for submission.

Manuscript Readiness

Know when your manuscript or screenplay is ready to share. You don’t want to share it prematurely with other professionals in the business. However, you also want to be ready to share it to receive vital feedback and input. Once you've completed several revisions and feel confident, this is when you’re ready to seek feedback from trusted peers or professionals. Here are a few key places to consider when you’re ready to share your work: 

• Professional Critique: Submit to a script consultant or writing coach like myself for detailed feedback. This can provide you with professional insights and highlight areas for improvement. (To learn more about getting a professional manuscript critique from me, send me an email at zena@thestorytellersmission.com).

• Contests: Enter writing contests to gain recognition and feedback. Contests can be a great way to motivate yourself with deadlines and the possibility of winning awards.

• Writers Groups: Share with a writers group for peer review and support. Engaging with other writers can provide encouragement and diverse perspectives on your work.

• Publishing and Editing: Submit to publishers or hire a professional editor for final polishing. Ensuring your manuscript is thoroughly developed and polished increases its chances of success.

Conclusion

Sustaining a writing career requires balance, dedication, and self-care. By setting realistic goals and taking care of your mental and physical health, you can keep your creativity flowing. Implementing these strategies will help you maintain a sustainable writing practice, allowing you to continue producing work that you're passionate about without burning out.

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Maintaining a Sustainable Writing Practice, tips from @ZenaDellLowe on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Zena has worked professionally in the entertainment industry for over 20 years as a writer, producer, director, actress, and story consultant. Zena also teaches advanced classes on writing all over the country. As a writer, Zena has won numerous awards for her work. She also has several feature film projects in development through her independent production company, Mission Ranch Films. In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Zena launched The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe, a podcast designed to serve the whole artist, not just focus on craft. In 2021, Zena launched The Storyteller’s Mission Online Platform, where she offers advanced classes and other key services to writers. Zena loves story and loves to support storytellers. Her passion is to equip artists of all levels to achieve excellence at their craft, so that they will truly have everything they need to change the world for the better through story.

To find out more about Zena or her current courses and projects, check out her websites at WWW.MISSIONRANCHFILMS.COM and WWW.THESTORYTELLERSMISSION.COM