Chapter 1: Rethinking Writing Habits

For a long time, I found it challenging to stay productive with my writing. Regardless of how manageable my goals were, I always perceived writing as a monumental task that loomed over my day. I could manage to write for an hour or two on consecutive days, but then I would begin to deceive myself by rationalizing distractions, convincing myself that I would make up for it by writing for three hours the next day. As you might expect, that rarely happened.

After some introspection, I realized that my reluctance to write stemmed from the conventional image of sitting at a desk with a laptop. Perhaps it reminded me too much of my school days; I'm not entirely sure. The thought of writing conjured images of long hours spent typing, and I found myself struggling with that notion. I even started to question whether I was truly meant to be a writer.

Before dismissing writing altogether, I decided to alter my approach. I took a leap and began writing on my smartphone—a method I had always shunned because I believed that no serious writer would compose lengthy content on a mobile device. It seemed far too casual and unofficial. I aspired to be the next Hemingway, not a contemporary influencer glued to their phone. Still, I decided to give it a try, recognizing that Hemingway often jotted down ideas by hand before transferring them to a typewriter. Writing on my phone could be a similar process—just a different format.

Since incorporating mobile writing into my routine, my output has significantly increased. It’s incredibly convenient to pull out my phone and start typing using the Notes app whenever I find a moment. Times of waiting—like for the train—are now opportunities to draft a few paragraphs. Once that downtime ends, my phone slips back into my pocket, making the process effortless.

Writing on my phone has bridged the gap (both physically and mentally) between my ideas and the act of writing them down. I no longer have to wait until I’m home to begin my writing. Previously, I would jot down quick notes and later transfer them to my laptop to craft stories and articles. However, writing full paragraphs directly on my phone has proven to be far more effective. It feels more complete and encourages me to revisit my work with the right level of inspiration.

The more accessible I make writing, the more productive I become. Mobile writing feels less daunting; it doesn’t carry the weight of traditional writing expectations. Instead, I focus on how much I can accomplish before my downtime is over. At the end of the day, I often find myself pleasantly surprised by my progress. When I transfer my work to my laptop, it frequently leads to additional writing sessions that I might not have engaged in otherwise.

Enhancing Productivity with Mobile Writing

1. Distraction-Free Zone: By using my phone for writing, I am steering clear of distractions like YouTube or Instagram, effectively diverting my attention from other potential interruptions.
2. Illusion of Quantity: Writing on a smaller screen creates the impression that I’ve penned a larger amount of text. Seeing more words boosts my sense of accomplishment, which in turn motivates me to write even more—a positive feedback loop.
3. Feeling of a Secret Advantage: It feels like a little hack because it is. While many individuals may do significant work on their phones, for me, it feels like I’ve discovered an edge over others. When I compile my paragraphs at home, I often think, “Wow, I accomplished all this without carving out extra time!”

Conclusion

Embracing mobile writing is something I never anticipated, but it has become an enjoyable aspect of my routine. Snatching snippets of writing throughout a busy day keeps my creativity alive and thriving. I’m beginning to believe that accepting my spontaneous nature and writing in bursts might be the most effective way to navigate this distraction-filled world.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. If you found it insightful, consider following my journey. For more content, visit my website at dustinlietha.com.

Chapter 2: The Tools of the Trade

In this video, we explore the strengths and weaknesses of two popular writing tools, Atticus and Scrivener, to help you decide which one best suits your writing needs.

This video showcases my favorite writing tools, demonstrating how they can enhance your writing process and productivity.