Strategies for Writing

While laptops have made it convenient to take your computer and your work everywhere, sitting upright at a desk with your computer on a flat surface (not your lap!) encourages focus and better understanding of your work. It helps to produce the “feel” of real, productive work. Sprawling out on the bed can produce the opposite result, and tempt you to distraction.

Light helps keep you alert and focused. Be sure you have enough light to work. Sunshine is best, so open the curtains or the blinds and let the natural light in. If you’re working at night, make sure you have a strong, bright lamp that will give you the light you need to stay awake and focused on your work.

This may seem obvious, but the first step to focusing on your writing is to eliminate distractions. Don’t watch TV or listen to music when you should be devoting your mental energy to writing. Turn off your cell phone, and don’t take calls during essay writing time. The same goes for checking email, Facebook, and other online distractions. Restrict yourself to your word processor and your research during work time.

Pick a time and block off an hour at a time for nothing but essay writing. Be consistent and try to write at the same time each day. At the end of the hour, take a quick break to mentally recharge. Having a specified writing time will help you get in the right frame of mind to work.