Building a Writing Fortress

One of the biggest barriers to writing is waiting until we have the time and space: “When I have a clear day, I’ll definitely get some writing done.” If I had 50p for every time a client told me that, I could afford to retire before I’m 97. I’m not immune to this problem, either. Although I’m good at blocking out time for writing, an early interruption often spirals into a pit of distraction and grumpiness. “Why did I bother starting?” 😾

We certainly need time and space for writing, but mindset is just as important. Many of us expect to just sit down and start writing, often having switched from a completely unrelated task. This is especially difficult when you don’t have a dedicated writing space or there’s a lot going on in the background.

Having lived next to a building site for the last year, I’ve been cultivating the idea of a Writing Fortress. Sadly, it’s not an actual fortress with a drawbridge and trained archers, but an imaginary barrier between me and everything else that’s going on: drilling, banging, and scaffolders singing Jingle Bells in August. I do everything within my control to create the best conditions for writing. Here’s how it works:

Step 1 - Protect the time 🕰️

As we all know, waiting until it’s quieter or we feel more enthusiastic never works. Schedule that time in your calendar and treat it like any other appointment. Building a writing fortress starts with protecting the time. If other people are unlikely to respect your commitments, pretend it’s a medical appointment for something embarrassing that they’ll never ask you about.

Platforms like the London Writer’s Salon and Focusmate are excellent for creating accountability. The LWS hosts facilitated Writer’s Hours throughout the day where you write with a few hundred other people. On Focusmate, you can book 1-2-1 sessions with a writing buddy. Mason Currey also hosts monthly writing sessions through his Substack. Being around other writers can have a magical effect on our productivity.

Step 2 - Plan your time 📝

If you only have half a hour for writing, you don’t want to spend the first 20 minutes fathoming what you’re supposed to be doing. And you absolutely don’t want any excuse to go on the internet. Make sure you have a clear plan of action, for example: a specific paragraph you’ll draft, a section to revise, or a concept to explain. You also need to gather any relevant sources, such as articles or data. Avoid the online rabbit holes 🐇 A good plan fortifies you against distractions.

Step 3 - Repel enemies 🏹

It’s tempting to think that other people are the problem when it comes to writing. Occasionally, Mostly, though, we’re our own worst enemy. Our attention is piqued by something else and we seize upon it as the perfect excuse not to do any writing: a text message, a new Prime Minister¹, or a squirrel rummaging in the garden 🐿️

I love myNoise for blocking the sound of singing scaffolders. You can choose from a variety of tracks and adjust the levels of the various elements. The Gregorian Chant is especially soothing when I start fantasising about what I’d like to do with the scaffolding pole. I use that chant just for writing, which helps my brain settle in that mode.

If anyone has the temerity to tap you on the shoulder, just threaten to tell them about your writing. They’ll be gone in seconds. And a bag of toffees might muffle any amateur singers.

Finding time and space to write is always a challenge. But there’s usually something we can do to create more suitable conditions. Once you’ve written an international publishing phenomenon, you can get a real fortress.