Are You a Candidate for Binge-Writing?

 

By DiAnn Mills

 

Are you a candidate for binge-writing? Does the thought of adding thousands of words to your manuscript thrill you from head to toe? Maybe you have no clue what binge-writing means or how it could help you move forward with your dreams and goals.

Many reasons can motivate us to take on the challenge. 

• We need to jump-start our writing.
• A deadline approaches us.
• Our writing group convinces us the concept would be fun.
• The idea is simply appealing.
• You’re reading this and decide to try it.

How does a writer prepare for this race? Guidelines maximize the binge-writing experience, but don’t hesitate to personalize the process to fit your needs and work preferences.

Time Guidelines

Most binge-writing times are weekends, from Friday evening to Sunday evening. That’s 48 hours.

• Sleep 6 hours on Friday and Saturday nights—use an alarm. – 12 hours
• Shower (optional), brush teeth, comb hair, brew coffee. – 1 hour
• Ladies skip the makeup.
• Guys skip the shave.
• Use microwaveable meals, eat at your desk, bio-breaks. – 1 hour
• Wear pajamas.
• Hire someone to watch and feed the dog, kids, & spouse.
• No time stealers: social media, music, conversation, texts, or phone.
• Approximate hours of fingers to the keyboard – 34 hours 

Prep

• Develop a great attitude.
• Self-talk is vital for success.
• Encourage any who are joining you.
• Make sure everyone in your immediate family and friends knows you are serious about
• binge-writing.
• Conduct research ahead of time.
• Establish a wordcount.
• Stay hydrated.
• Make sure you’re in shape.
• Grind coffee beans and measure into sealed containers. Determine to drink it black. No time for sugar, cream, or stirring.
• No pizza delivery. That means answering the door, chatting, etc.

During the Binge

• Focus.
• Turn off Wi-Fi—No distractions.
• Close your eyes if necessary. Edits can be fixed later.
• Exceed all your expectations.

After

• Sleep.
• Shower and change your clothes.
• Celebrate.
• Journal what you learned for the next binge-writing.

Together we can have a super-successful, powerful, and productive binge-writing experience. Are you ready to schedule yours?

 

Photo courtesy of Unsplash and JESHOOTS.COM.

 

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure? Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; Golden Scroll awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

 

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn or diannmills.com