8 Self-discipline Tips for Writers

Self-disciplining oneself is perhaps the biggest challenge for any writer. That is putting yourself into writing regularly is hard and if that is hard, then working on publishing the same is even harder; which means, for self-publishing authors, self-discipline is even for important when it comes to being committed to writing and publishing. To publish and print your own book, you have to work double than what a traditional author would do, because print and distribution responsibility also falls on the author. So it is imperative that you regulate your time, your mind frame and yourself while working towards your book.

Especially today, when there is more distractions than what it used to be in classic times (with social media, smart phones etc.) the following tips can be useful for concentrating on your project:-

1. 1. Motivate yourself– The first and foremost thing you need is motivation, the element which most of us lack after some time in any project. After working for a few days on the same construct, we tend to lose the interest with which we had begun. Do not let yourself lose the vision; remain firm on your objective. Know that you have to finish what you have started. Use a memento like a picture frame, a wall hanging (in front of where you write) or a coffee mug with particular engraving which will inspire you to go on with the zeal. Whenever, you feel lazy, or feel like skipping your writing schedule, say to yourself, “No, I have to do this. I need to be committed”.
   2. Write small passages each day– It can be really hard to stop yourself when you start writing and to start yourself with a new piece, and doing this every day is a real challenge. Do not try to finish 10 or 20 or 30 pages at a stretch. Write small paragraphs and stop, but do this everyday without miss. This will ensure that you aren’t tired or exhausted of ideas; i.e. you have some in reserve to start off the next day; you know you have to come back for it at the same time, the tomorrow.
   3. Build the momentum– When you follow the above rule of writing each day a little bit, it helps you pace yourself through your book. Initially, when we are struck with an idea, we cannot wait to put it down on Word docs, but once we do this on daily basis, soon it turns into a task and then we are suffering from insufficient or inappropriate ideas. But building a writing habit, can be very fruitful in long run.
   4. Do not judge yourself too much– a mistake which is very common in writers is over self-criticism in the initial stage of your writing. We start writing and we start reading it several times to ensure it is perfect. Do not do that. Finding flaws in the budding stage can kill your motivation. To publish and print your own book, you have to hold the motivation till the last phase, so just proceed with your workflow, do not criticize yourself.
   5. Organize your time– Every day is important and to get a meaningful output each day, you need to do a critical thing i.e. planning your time. Allot a specific amount of time for each thing you do in a day, from brushing your teeth to having your breakfast, going to office and coming back too. Keep some buffer time in each slot so that the unprecedented traffic jam, or meet up with your friend over coffee can be adjusted with. When you organize yourself according to this plan, the writing time will never be skipped, as you have a fixed schedule for it in the day.
   6. Eat and sleep healthy– A primordial part of self-discipline is to regulate your lifestyle. When you have good eating habits, your body stays healthy. A healthy body nourishes a healthy mind. You are less likely to be touched by harmful effects like procrastination, depression, anxiety and moroseness. There is a myth that writers have to stay awake all night to finish their manuscripts. But you need not overstress yourself if you have a proper schedule for your work. Have good sleep, at least 6 hours per day. Do not make late nights regularly. Good sleep with help you process things in a fresh mind.
   7. Seize every opportunity– “To write consistently, I must seize opportunities. I write in airports. I write on planes. I find airports and planes and hotels excellent places in which to write because once I am in them, I am not responsible for anything except my work. Once I have my seat assignment I can write until the flight is called; when I am on the plane, the pilot is responsible for the flight, I am not, and so I can work on my manuscript.In a hotel room I do not have to think about the vacuum cleaner…domestic chores are not my responsibility; I am free to write.” Said Madeleine L’Engle, the author of Walking on Water, 1995. If you are really committed to publish and print your own book, superfast, you have to take your self-discipline with yourself, wherever you go. Wherever you are, you cannot skip writing, be it a family vacation, a picnic or a business conference, the hour allotted for your writing should not be missed. You may also use extra opportunities for writing if you are idle at times.
   8. Read each day– As it is important to write each day, it is equally important to read everyday for an author. You need not read related to what you write, always, but you have to read something everyday, even if it is a newspaper or an advertisement. Read at least ten minutes every day. This habit is very useful in keeping your mind active; this also helps in recharging your vocabulary. You cannot write if you do not read.

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