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Peg Cheng

Author + Blogger + Teacher

March 3, 2016 By Peg Cheng

Less Writing Leads to Better Writing

facing-right-directionIf we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.

This Buddhist proverb pretty much sums up my motto for the rest of the year.

After a week of fear, doubt, and self-loathing, I realized I needed to do something drastically different.

I decided to simplify my daily goal.

I also decided to trick my brain a bit.

What do I mean by that?

Well, in terms of simplifying, I’m now just doing 30 minutes of writing per day. Every day. Seven days a week.

30 minutes. Seems like nothing, right?

Exactly.

That’s where the tricking the old brain part comes in.

When I made the goal of writing for up to 3 hours each day, I’d think about those hours and think, wow, that seems like such a long time. Writing is so hard. Do I really want to do it for three hours today?

Maybe I could just sit here and keep reading this book? Maybe I need to wash the dishes? Maybe I need to dust my stuffed animal collection? Maybe I need to send out some more tweets? The excuses and procrastination techniques went on and on.

Because that 3-hour “writing time” sounded like too much work.

When something is hard, and there’s no one requiring you to do it, and there’s no immediate reward, it’s really hard to make myself do that thing. With fear, doubt, and self-loathing breathing down my neck, it’s even harder.

So, I needed to do something regarding my writing that wouldn’t make me want to avoid it. Writing for 30 minutes a day sounds more like a treat to me than work. I needed to “trick” my brain into doing the thing I wanted to do.

How’s it going?

It’s working!

I’ve been writing 30 minutes a day, every day. I even wrote for 40 minutes on one day. Yep. 10 minutes more. I’m allowed that. I’m committed to writing for 30 minutes, but if I want to do more, I can.

And you know what?

I can get a lot done in 30 minutes! I’ve surprised myself this week with the progress I’ve made on my story planning, armature, and three-act structure. Yesterday, I even think I cracked my story’s spine!

Who would guess that doing less work would lead to better work?

I think I’ve always known this (I’ve believed in the 20-hour work week for as long as I can remember) but it’s taken me a long time to realize that it can apply to my writing as well. It’s making me rethink everything about my daily schedule and routine.

What if every task felt more like play and less like work?

My mind reels at the possibilities!

For now, as I wrap my head around this new way of being, I’m just going to keep walking in the right direction. In time, I know I’ll get there.

Peg Cheng is the author of The Contenders, a middle-grade novel centered on the question, can enemies become friends? She is also the founder of Prelaw Guru, a law school application consulting company, and the author of The No B.S. Guides for prelaw students.

Filed Under: Writing Tips

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brenda says

    March 4, 2016 at 7:13 AM

    Love these quick and doable reminders! This week, I will employ your power of 30, and my new 4:00am discovery hatched after my last book read. #newvoicesinmybrain. :0)

    • Peg Cheng says

      March 8, 2016 at 3:38 PM

      I like how you phrased that. Power of 30. Love it. Go, Brenda, go!

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What people are saying…

Lizz Zitron, College Professor

The Contenders is the middle grade novel you’ve been waiting for: diverse characters who are funny and real. Eunice and her friends and family feel so real–they are flawed, kind, complex, a little mean at times, and just wanting to find their place in the world. Highly recommended for every middle school collection.

Jas Hothi, Author + Entrepreneur

I’ve done my fair share of personal finance reading and, well, Rebel Millionaire is probably the single best thing I’ve read. Why? So effortlessly simple and effective. As I’m about to turn 31, this is just the nudge I needed to start saving and investing for my future. Thank you, Peg, and Plaid Frog Press!

Laila Atallah, Career Coach

What I love so much about your writing is how personal it is. It gives me permission to accept and love my own humanity, while also giving really helpful tips and mindset shifts, and next steps too.

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