Writing the first draft of a book often feels like having a tug-a-war with your own brain, just to force words to appear on the page. Factor in coaxing and cajoling the muse to stick with you through the first 60k or 70k or 80k, and it is as if you’re at war with certain aspects of yourself.

Identifying and then avoiding personal delay tactics is one of the most important things a writer can do in order to increase productivity and focus. For example, I have a terrible habit of brainstorming/musing about numerous projects at once. I’m currently writing Amplifier 1, and this morning alone I have jotted down notes for Amplifier 2, Mistfits 1 (Mory), The Adept Chronicles 1 (Benjamin), and Jasmine 1.

And the result of that ‘personal delay tactic’ running amok is that, after 13 days of straight of hitting my word count (3k+) before 2pm or 3pm every day, I haven’t even started writing. And it’s currently 12:53pm.

And I’m now blogging.

But! Writing a first draft also means allowing for a certain amount of thoughtful reflection in nonwriting periods (while doing: pilates, showering, blow drying my hair, baking, etc). So while these reflective moments can derail me from my current work in progress (like this morning). They can also yield interesting ideas.

Such as realizing that the character of Zack Belanger, ex-armed forces/mechanic, in the Amplifier Series would be so more interesting if he was a she – Lani Zachary!

So there you go – a tiny bit of insight into how a writer’s mind (occasionally) works.

Back to writing.