Ever hear of interval training? It’s a method of exercising, where you intersperse bursts of work (running, cycling, weightlifting, etc…) with periods of rest. It’s supposed to make it so you can work out longer, with better results. It’s like a roller coaster… you get bursts of excitement with periods of rest on the downhill portions before it throws you around again.
What does this have to do with writing? Well, let me tell you. A couple of people in my writing group are trying to write this way. They set up a plan to write for a week. One day ‘on’, one day ‘off’. This ensures that not only do they get their writing time in, it also allows for fun.
They’ve been trying this method for a couple of weeks, so I thought I’d ask ’em a few questions. (answers below are paraphrased)
- How do you find this method of writing?It’s been working great. I can be derailed so easily, that if I’m allowed to do anything else but write, I’ll do that. This forces me to write. I’m not allowed to do anything else.
Liberating is the first word that comes to mind. So far, I haven’t been working to a word count goal, but rather an on-day/off-day goal, which refers mainly to switching on or off my mindset and focus.
- Do you find it difficult to write the whole day?Yeah. Your attention span starts to wander. Everyone has different levels of focus.
Yes, since I haven’t been writing the whole day for on-days. I haven’t yet found it difficult to write for most of the day.
- Do you find yourself applying the interval method to that day?Yes. If I’m doing something else, I’ll schedule it in. That still keeps me focused on writing, but allows moments of breathing/resting throughout the day. I’m carefully picking things that I’m allowed to interrupt my writing with.
It’s probably true. I set myself time to write, then I set myself time not to write, within the day.
- Is the rest day enough time?It feels like more than enough time because I don’t feel guilty, it’s what I’m supposed to be doing. It almost feels like more time than it actually is.
So far, yes.
- Do you think it would work for everyone?Some personalities might benefit more from this, such as the all or nothing type.
No. My work structure means that an every-second-day system fits for me, as long as I pick the right day to start the pattern. If an on-day ever fell on a work-day, I think it would fall apart quickly.
- Do you find yourself wanting to write on your days off?Yes, but I haven’t done it, because I’m not supposed to be writing. I’ll jot down notes or ideas that help me get a head start on my next day to write. It’s close enough to the time I get to write, that it’s still fresh.
Yes, but I write much less. Under an hour
- Do you plan to continue using this method?Yes.
Yes, but in sections. I won’t start another on-day/off-day pattern again immediately.
- Do you feel as if it’s helping to improve your writing?Yes, I can feel the benefits… the writing seems better… I can write longer… the quality of writing is improving.
Yes. Anything that improves my focus on my writing overall improves my writing.
Now this seems very similar to the Pomodoro technique that I’ve heard other authors use. The breaks are a bit longer, but this method is also very personal. You can change it up to meet whatever needs you have. Got a job interfering with your precious writing time? Plan around it. Only have the weekend? Write both days with set breaks to specifically goof off. Remember, fun is necessary.
What do you think? Would interval writing be interesting to try? I’m thinking about giving it a shot to see how my productivity improves (or possibly suffers). How do you think this method would work for you? Know anybody that might be interested in giving it a shot? Let me know.
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