Let’s do some ‘what if’ planning. If you are prepared for life to interrupt your writing but have a plan to deal with it and keep going, then you’ll keep going!
What Ifs
What if… you have a big project due and you feel you need to spend all your extra time on getting that done?
Can you cut back on your writing time but keep writing?
Will you skip your writing time but schedule several days with extra time after you’re done with the project?
Will you skip the writing and set up an accountability partner to ensure you return to your writing schedule by such and such a date?
Is your writing a priority and you stick with your schedule while changing up other tasks and responsibilities so you can write AND get the project done?
What if… you’re going on vacation?
Will you write on vacation? When? Where? How Long?
Will you write something else? Instead of working on your book, will you be journaling or gathering ideas for your newsletter?
Is this a writing retreat, a low-tech get away, or a family reunion? How will that impact your writing?
How will you get back in the groove of writing? We all know that it can take days to dig through email, voice mail, and direct messages when we get back from vacation. But the sooner you get back into your writing the better. Your writing is a priority, remember. Those emails and messages can wait another hour or two while you build and reinforce your writing habit again.
What if… you’re ill or injured?
Of course, it depends on how sick you are and the type of injury.
When you’re ill, it can be hard or just impossible to think and focus. But one thing you might be able to handle is getting your ideas down. Whether you prefer paper or digital, be ready to collect your ideas with note taking apps, voice recording apps, or your voice assistant.
Let’s say you hurt your arm and can’t type. What will you do about your writing? What you can do is use your phone or tablet and your favorite writing or note taking app to transcribe your spoken words into typed text.
Use Dictation on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch – see that little microphone in the keyboard next to the space bar – click it and start talking.
Use Live Transcribe on your Android device.
Use Speech Recognition Software for dictation and transcription.
Dictate in Word (online version in Office 365 and 2019 onwards)
Voice typing in Google Docs or Google Slides in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari browsers
There are also apps and services that can transcribe your voice recordings into text
Scribbbe (if you’re searching online, be sure to type three b’s not just two – bbb not bb)
Check out PCMag for their Best Transcription Services for 2023
How will you get back in the groove of writing as you recover?
What if… you just stop writing for a while?
It happens. Boy does it happen. Just like any habit or behavior…
Get back to it as soon as you can.
Let go of judgement (it doesn’t help).
Tell your accountability partner, writing buddy, or friend, and
Celebrate when you’re back writing. There’s no prize for the most days writing consecutively, but you definitely win if you get back to writing.
So... how will you plan for your What Ifs?
Bottom line, when your writing time is or will be disrupted, create a plan to get back to it as soon as possible. Thinking about these “what if’s” will help you keep moving toward your writing goal. Whether it’s a book, newsletters, blog articles or whatever, keep writing!
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