Go Away!

We're coming up on the first part of the bingeing season, and one of the things that Thanksgiving affords is a FOUR DAY WEEKEND. How is gorging going to help your writing? It's not. BUT, the extra two days off that most of us are granted this time of year ARE.

One of the best ways to boost your productivity is to get out of your own environment for a significant period of time. It's tough to write in your natural habitat, either at home where there are always chores to be done or family, pets or plants demanding your attention, or at work where your inbox is stacked up to your very eyebrows.

Leave your natural habitat! Go to your local library or park. Go to an aquarium or zoo. Even going to your local coffee shop is fine, although for many people this is not so far out of your natural habitat. At least one isn't tempted to get up and do all the dishes.

I went on a retreat last week and wrote ~17,000 words in the time I was there, and still had time to do a little sight-seeing and take more hot baths than my skin was strictly happy with. I mentioned to my husband that the key to really productive writing and overall happiness was having no other responsibilities whatsoever. He mentioned that it didn't sound sustainable.

I'd love to find out.