The craft of writing can be complex and life changing. But sometimes there are simple things you can do to write your book that aren’t as complicated or deeply insightful. Here are four obvious and practical ways you can help yourself write and stop procrastinating.

1. Get rid of interruptions

Turn off the television and your phone! So many interruptions break into our times of concentrated thought. Writing requires a period of time where our creativity can come out and play. Your creative process is not going to be happier than a child who wants attention while you are on the phone. Put away all distractions. Protect your typing time.

2. Get rid of distractions

In this overstimulating world we live in, we’re taught to jump from one thought to another, from one online video to another, from one TV show to another… Phew!

I think it’s even harder for writers to avoid distractions because there are so many useful ones that grab your attention right on your computer. It’s easy to get carried away with articles about the latest political sex scandal, watch a cute video of cats playing the piano, find out what the Kardashians are up to, and… oh, that irresistible computer game… Nope! Nope! Nope! Get into your Word document and focus on writing.

3. Inspire creativity

If you get stuck, stop writing and start reading. One way to get your creative juices flowing is to read the writing of other authors.

But this is also a way to prevent you from writing your own material. If you need to prime the well, read on for a moment. But you will not finish your book reading, only writing. So my next advice is to stop reading and start writing.

4. Create artificial rewards

We both know that no one will stand up and clap when you finish a chapter of your book or successfully outline a new section. No. Instead you will probably get up from the computer with people impatient for you to finish and pay attention to them. Not exactly a motivating situation.

So set rewards for yourself when you reach your writing goals. I often compare creativity to young children, and I suspect your inner muse is no different. So play while you create your rewards. Do something fun. Eat something delicious. Give yourself stickers. Whatever makes you smile and gives you a sense of reward after a job well done.