Over at the fascinating blog Historians are Past Caring, Dr Marion Diamond has shared some writing techniques that have worked for her.  I am inspired!

As a result I aim to spend 20 minutes every day working on my Elizabeth Macarthur biography.  And slightly less time in my hammock swing.  Sigh.  I love my hammock swing.

So far it’s working.  I tell myself that I just need work at my desk for 20 minutes and, usually, I end up staying (and writing) for much longer.  The trick, of course, is in making the habit stick.  Google to the rescue:

• How to build good habits (and make them stick)
• 18 tricks to make new habits stick
• Sticking to a habit: the definitive guide

I’ll let you know how I go…  Does 20 minutes in the hammock swing reading a reference text count?