Get out of the starting blocks
Some people never start writing because the very thought of beginning, becoming, and transforming is terrifying. It can feel daunting to take the first steps on a creative journey if you are not equipped with tools to help you find your way.
Writing sprints are a fast, easy and free solution that can jumpstart your creativity. Keep reading to see how writing sprints can make you a better writer.
“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”
Stephen King
Beginner’s guide to writing sprints
What is a writing sprint?
A writing sprint is a timed writing exercise. You just need to set a timer and write constantly for the duration of the sprint.
How to do a writing sprint
Writing sprints are incredibly effective because they are so simple. Set yourself up for success by:
- choosing a time of day when you can sit and write.
- making sure you will not be interrupted.
- gathering all the supplies you will need.
- deciding how long you want to write for.
- setting a timer for your chosen sprint time.
Start the timer, and you’re off!
Do:
- allow yourself to write freely.
- write without judgement.
- explore outside of your comfort zone.
Don’t:
- stop writing until the timer runs out!
- pause for research or get hung up on specifics.
- fix, edit, or correct anything while you are still sprinting.
Where do ideas come from?
Sitting down to face an unblemished sheet of paper, or witnessing the flickering cursor on a glowing white screen can be an intimidating experience. So where do ideas come from? And how can you capture some of your own?
As a new writer, there is so much to think of and it can be overwhelming before you even start. The thought of world-building, character backstories, captivating prose and juicy dialogue seems impossible. How could you be expected to know all these things?!
Even the most accomplished writers rarely start with a blank page; they start with an idea.
“But how do they find them?”, you ask.
Read on before you sprint ahead.
How to use writing sprints for generating ideas
Writing sprints are perfect for generating ideas. You can allow your mind to wander, and write down anything that springs into your imagination.
The aim here is to think of things that you could expand on and are curious to explore beyond the sprint.
Give yourself a timer of 10 minutes and jot down everything that pops into your mind.
Capture your ideas and save them for when you need them. You can look back at ideas from your past sprints and take them with you on your future journeys.
You can combine sprints with writing prompts for a power combo! Open questions such as “What if…?”, or “I wonder…” can provide just enough inspiration to make you look at things in a new way. Observe small details and follow them. Contemplate the great unknowns and reimagine the world as we know it.
Once you have a list of ideas to choose from, you can take them further by moving on to the next stage of sprinting.
How do you start writing?
Okay, so you’ve found your idea. But what next? How do you actually start writing?
Putting words onto the page, and getting them into the right order, is a huge undertaking. But it is one you are very capable of! Perhaps you need a little push, a little motivation, or a little structure to help you get started.
Once again, writing sprints are an essential tool in your Writer’s Kit.
How to use writing sprints to form a writing habit
Writing sprints are ideal for improving focus. You can use them to concentrate on forming your ideas into words and getting them onto the page.
The aim here is to achieve a state of flow, where writing comes naturally and without hesitation.
Pick an idea that you want to expand on. Give yourself a timer of 10 minutes and write a scene without stopping.
Write whatever comes into your head, whether that is descriptive, narrative, or dialogue. What you write should not be instinctive, and does not need to be questioned at this stage.
You can repeat this process as many times as needed until you have something you feel you can work with. Add this habit into your daily or weekly routine and you will quickly see results.
Once you have finished sprinting, you can then review and reflect on what you have written. Mark it up with any notes for the revision and editing stage.
You may feel able to write for longer than the 10 minute sprint, in which case you can increase the sprint timer to 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes or 30 minutes. Challenge yourself to extend the time of your writing sprints, but consider pacing. If you get off to a high-speed start you may not be able to maintain the momentum for the entire sprint!
How to continue training with writing sprints
Play well with others? Try a little friendly competition.
- Sprint against yourself – can you beat your old word count on your next sprint?
- Sprint against a friend to keep each other accountable.
- Sprint against your writing group and share your progress afterwards.
Your environment can have a great impact on how you write. Experiment with writing in different spaces and notice how this works for you.
- Try writing somewhere new, or somewhere familiar.
- Try writing indoors, or outdoors.
- Try writing alone, or in a public space.
Switch up your methods for a fresh experience.
- Try writing by hand with a fancy pen.
- Try typing on a laptop or tablet.
- Try doodling your ideas and sketching them in pictures instead of words.
Remember:
- to give yourself reasonable recovery time, all athletes need to rest after a race.
- distractions are everywhere, try turning off notifications if you are writing in a digital format.
- you can modify a sprint in any way you see fit, to make it work for you.
- sprints don’t have to be productive, they can be just for fun!
Benefits of using writing sprints as part of your writing practice
Writing sprints are low stakes, high reward. They take very little time to complete and can provide you with solid material to put towards your writing projects.
There is no way to fail! If you write something, you have finished your sprint as a winner.
You can make them completely personalised. Have a specific goal in mind? Sprint towards it!
One size fits all. You can use writing sprints for any style of writing, whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, poetry, essays, academic papers…
Short bursts of activity undertaken regularly can build up to big progress. Take the pressure off a large project by breaking it down into sprints. You can sprint for themes, characters, settings, and anything else that is integral to your story.
Reach the finish line
Writing sprints are an incredibly effective tool for finding inspiration and encouraging you to maintain a creative writing habit.
They are useful for writers of all levels, and can help to get you past the curse of writer’s block.
All creatives are prone to spells of procrastination, and writing sprints can help you find the focus needed to concentrate on getting your work done.
Sprints have significantly impacted my attitude towards writing; I have grown my confidence and feel more in control of my creativity.
What are you waiting for? Set a timer, and get writing!
Let me know in the comments:
Have you tried writing sprints before?
What is your goal for your next writing sprint?
