Quick Tip Tuesday: Set a Timer
When I started homeschooling, I had a terrible time getting my son Scott to focus. Scott has autism and HATED school. When we shifted from public school to homeschooling, I thought I could just recreate the structure of a classroom. Come to find out, that was his biggest downfall.
My husband suggested we follow the Pomodoro Technique, allows you to immerse yourself in your writing for a set time. Basically, we made a deal with him (because he operates in “deals” – he won’t break a deal if he understands the parameters.) If he works as hard as he can for 20 minutes, he can take a 10 minute break doing whatever he wants to do.
When we established that, he thrived and became a straight-A student. In his last year of high school, we are enjoying the freedom of homeschooling under the Pomodoro Technique.
It works if you’re having a hard time focusing on writing as well.
Setting a timer helps to structure your writing sessions, making it easier to commit to your goals. You’re able to have a deeper level of focus because it’s just for a short amount of time. It allows for regular breaks – and I use my breaks to take walks, which in turn inspire creativity!
My recommendation: Choose a quiet environment free from interruptions and set your timer. During the writing session, commit to writing without stopping, then take a short break before starting another session.
With nearly a million sales, Hallee Bridgeman is aUSA TODAY best-selling and award-winning Christian author who writes action-packed romantic suspense focusing on realistic characters who face real-world problems. Her work has been described as everything from refreshing to heart-stopping exciting and edgy. Hallee has served as the Director of the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, President of the Faith-Hope-Love chapter of the Romance Writers of America, is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), the American Christian Writers (ACW), and Novelists, Inc. (NINC). An accomplished speaker, Hallee has taught and inspired writers around the globe, from Sydney, Australia, to Dallas, Texas, to Portland, Oregon, to Washington, D.C., and all places in between. Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her.
