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Word Wars Are Your Friend
Posted by: kerrynangell
My writing time has been extremely limited over the last week but I’ve been making the most of it with the help of Word Wars.
Word Wars consist of a short, intense period of writing. You don’t think, you just keep those fingers moving across the keyboard and the words flow. Everyone had 10 minutes they can squeeze out of their busy life. In two 10 minute stints you can write between 600 – 1000 words. Rinse and repeat and you’ve reached your daily word count goal.
For an effective Word War all you need is a watch or a timer. For the best results use a timer that makes an obnoxious noise when time runs out and a noise with a few minutes to go. The rush at the end after your warning noise goes off will be well used.
I’ve found that the best length of time for word wars is 10 – 15 minutes. Any longer and unless you’re really on a roll you start looking at the timer every few seconds. Try a set of 15 minutes stints and find out when you begin to slow down. For me that’s after two. Always remember to take a 5-10 minute break between word wars. After you’ve fallen past your most productive using 15 minutes sessions move into the 10 minute session. You should find that with the shorter time you can still be overly productive without feeling the time drag.
Fight with friends. Challenge other participants to a word war. The added competition will increase your focus, make the time go faster and because you’re having fun the words will feel easier.
Make the most of the time you have, feel productive and have fun. And repeat after me: Word Wars are your friend.
Labels: word-war
09 Jun 2007 18:33:40
Comments
On 10 Jun 2007 00:02:16 Andy Chilton said:
*chanting*
Word Wars are your friend.
Word Wars are your friend...
I wholeheartedly agree. Also, after warring with your friends, always ask "What is your favourite sentence/paragraph from what you just wrote?" Sometimes the response can be sad, silly, fantastic, feeble or just downright funny.
On 11 Jun 2007 18:07:36 Travis said:
Agreed - all the best days as well as the most fun have been during word wars.
Without word wars, I realize that I could never be on track without much longer and much more boring sessions.