How to make writing more enjoyable.

Let’s face it, writing isn’t always enjoyable. That constantly looming blog post or chapter deadline is pressure your creativity doesn’t need.

You might even dread daily writing tasks – emails, marketing plans, website updates, reports.

Writing isn’t easy. But it’s a skill that can be learned. We can also inject some ‘fun’ into it.

So forget about that taunting white screen, deadline pressure, a complete lack of inspiration – here are my top tips to make writing less intimidating and more enjoyable. You might also notice a boost in your writing confidence and quality.

Do you write because you need to – or because you want to? Or both?! Let me know in the comments below how you make writing fun.

1. Care

If you care little about the subject matter, it’s difficult to connect not only with your reader but with the writing task itself – and to invest your time, energy and emotion into it.

Time and energy are two of the most crucial elements of the writing process. And without emotion, your writing will lack depth. When you speak about something you believe in, your voice, your body language – even your eyes reflect this feeling. Your words can too if you’re genuinely interested in what you’re writing about.

So believe in your subject matter – or put yourself in the shoes of someone who does. You’ll notice an immediate difference in the ease with which you write, and the depth of feeling in your content. You may even enjoy the process.

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2. Ditch the excuses

As I mentioned, writing is a skill. The more you write, the easier (and more fun) it becomes.

I’m as guilty as anyone of putting it off – I delayed writing this blog post for three days because I couldn’t decide where to begin (see Tip 5). Of course, now I’ve started, it’s flowing pretty well – and I’m actually having a bit of fun playing with the order and words (see Tip 9).

Even if you’re not a ‘writer’, writing regularly hones your skills; so ditch the excuses and make it a habit – part of your work routine – and I’m confident it will become more enjoyable.

3. Think about it

If your deadline isn’t imminent, start thinking about what you need to write before you sit down at the computer.

As it’s just me and my computer in my office, I call this ‘my self-meeting’ (yes, I do talk to myself!).

Not only does it allow you to mull over your idea and some potential words, it can help clarify your thoughts – you’ll be more relaxed and focused on the big picture. You might even get excited about the writing task.

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4. Get out

This one isn’t for everyone, but sometimes you just need a change of scenery. While you may not be quite as productive in a café, at a park or overlooking the ocean, chances are it’ll be a more enjoyable experience. And we all know that when we’re relaxed, our words flow more easily and, thus, the writing process becomes more enjoyable.

5. Mix it up

Don’t know where to begin? The good news is, if you can’t face opening with a bang from the outset, you can skip straight to the easiest part. You certainly don’t need to write in chronological order.

If you have early success, you’ll be motivated to continue with your more challenging passages.

And having a solid draft can make writing that opening statement, subject line or headline so much easier. Often the key will be in your already-written text – use it to inspire the more difficult parts of your piece.

6. Get in the zone

To produce well-written words, you need to focus all of your energy into the task. Basically, you need to be in the zone. Just like any other area of life – problem-solving, sport, music – if you want to enhance your performance – to excel – you need to move into that state of focused attention or energy – the zone.

Shut the door, close your eyes, breathe – and focus.

You might do this best in front of the computer. Other times you might focus better sitting back with your notes and formulating a plan – or even a draft – with pen and paper.

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7. Don’t set deadlines

If time isn’t of the essence, it might work to ignore any self-imposed pressure to get the job done, and sit down to write when you’re good and ready. When you want to write. As much as it’s a skill, writing is also a creative process. So try to pick a time when you’re going to be in the mood. Be that at night, over breakfast or at your favourite café. If you’re happy before you start writing, that feeling is more likely to reflect in your written output.

Up for a challenge?

If writing isn’t particularly difficult, but you’ve lost your writing mojo, these tips might help spice it up.

8. Set deadlines

While they can be intimidating, deadlines can also be the challenge that will take your writing to the next level – of quality and enjoyment.

Real deadlines aside, I find I work more efficiently when I set myself a short, but workable deadline. This means I can’t put the job off any longer, and it’s all about my energy and focus. My commitment to meeting that deadline.

Regardless of how I’m feeling, if I know I’ve got five hours to write an article, I’ll get in the zone and summon the energy required. This might mean shutting off any distractions, channelling energy through a meditation or having one last piece of chocolate before that rewarding piece between the drafting and the proofreading phase.

9. Polished to perfection

Now that I am a confident writer (this certainly wasn’t always the case), I like to challenge myself to produce a piece of writing that is effortless to read and meets my writing objective so precisely my reader has no hesitation in following a call-to-action.

Usually, this involves making it even punchier (also more enjoyable for the reader) or being spot on with the required word count, playing with the order and massaging the words.

Giving your ideas and writing time to ‘marinate’ once you have the words down will also enhance your writing. Come back to it later. Give your mind a break, and ponder.

That feeling of elation (in your world of writing), when you’ve signed off on a top piece of content, makes all that procrastination beforehand seem totally unnecessary.

10. Have a laugh

If you’re really up for a challenge, try injecting some humour – even if it’s not particularly funny, it might lighten the piece. If you smile when you read it back to yourself, your reader probably will too. And this suggests this particular writing task may have been (just a little bit) enjoyable.

How do you make writing fun? Comment below!

Want to produce better writing?

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