Cailin Riley Books

#1: Don’t listen to me. (Just kidding.)

1 Start with reasonable goals.

It’s better to start with a small goal and work your way up once you get the hang of it. Maybe try to hit 500-1000 words in the first week or so of writing and go up from there as you gain confidence.

2 Save your best for your best.

As a professional marketer, social media manager and author, I write in some way or another every single day. If I try to make every single thing I write gold, I will burn out. Save your best writing and energy for the projects that matter most.

3 Don’t just write. Read too.

Reading introduces you to new ideas, words and turns of phrase, all of which make you a better and more descriptive writer.

4 Join a book club or writing group.

Talking about plot with other readers and writers can help you brainstorm. It can also help you become a better evaluator of ideas.

5 Write when the juice hits.

Sometimes, I dream of a story and know as soon as I wake up that I have to get it out on paper. When a burst of creativity hits, make the most of it and write. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but trust that your brain wants to get it out.

6 Don’t force it.

In line with creativity, sometimes it’s just not there. Don’t force yourself to write when you aren’t feeling it. You don’t want to waste time writing things that feel uninspired.

7 Keep distractions to a minimum.

It’s hard to write with a fussy baby on your knee or a puppy nibbling your ankle. If your writing is important to you, find a time where you can be free from distractions. Enlist the help of others to make this happen, even if it’s only for 30 minutes at a time.

8 Worry about editing later.

Editing can always happen later. Don’t let the idea of perfection halt your flow: Keep writing and worry about typos later.

9 Create an environment that inspires you.

Maybe it’s writing next to a window with a nice, calming view of your back garden. Or maybe you like having an item to fidget with next to your keyboard. Whatever your style, surround your writing area with things you enjoy.

10 Usually, simple is the answer.

My biggest personal roadblock to productivity in writing is thinking too long and hard about the “perfect” way to say something. As I’ve gotten more experienced, I’ve learned that sometimes the simplest way to say something is the best. And you’ll save more time.