Writing Times – How You Do What You Do
By Cynthia Spurr on Nov 24, 2009 in fiction writing
I had a member of our writing group ask me recently how much and how often I wrote. My reply was short and sweet: Not enough.
Why? Well I have a ton of good excuses. Where should I start?
This year has been one of the worst. Every time I look up there’s another fire needing my attention. Who can focus on their novel when you’re frustrated at work trying to make ends meet? Or when you’re trying to start a new business venture in a tight economy? Or when there are family issues? Or, or, or…
There’s just not enough time in the day.
I read a book last year or maybe it was the year before (did I mention I have a severe case of ADHD?) by Walter Mosely This Year You Write Your Novel. It was a great book on writing, setting a time and writing everyday for 3 hours.
He writes everyday, 7 days a week for 3 hours. How? He gets up at o’dark thirty and writes before his day begins.
I applaud him, really I do. If I could make my brain function before 10 a.m. I’m doing well. Getting up and writing first thing is going to produce nothing but garbage from me.
I like to write after 10 a.m. Sometimes the afternoon is stellar. The evening is a 50/50 shot. Depends on whether the TV gets turned on or not.
Right now, I’m writing in spurts. Is it working for me? Sort of. But at least something is making it to the pages and the novel is progressing forward. According to Mosely get something on the page and get the draft done. Worry about editing later. I’m trying to stick by this, even at my slow pace.
So this lead me to ponder, how and when do other writers write? Do you have a set schedule? Is writing your only job?
Leave a comment and let us know what works for you. Who knows, I may learn how to schedule my day better.
I do not have an ideal schedule for writing. I am a full-time editor with a 9-to-5 workweek and beyond that, I have always had a time-consuming project sucking up the rest of my time. Right now, it's raising money to go on a mission trip to Belize. It takes up a LOT of time, especially weekend time.
I also think that a real writer sets aside time to write on a regular basis; not because s/he CHOOSES to, but because s/he HAS to–because writing should be a passion that cannot be suppressed. Unfortunately, I seem to be too content just thinking about it all the time. I need to motivate myself to get my story on paper.
I really don't know how often I should write, or how long I should write when I get a chance to sit down. I would like to give myself a weekly goal of X number of hours. What that can logically be, I don't know.
Heather | Nov 25, 2009 | Reply
This is a great point to bring up Cindy.
Writing is my only job; however it hasn't always been. In the past I would work my 9-5, clean house and what not; but had a page goal. My original page goal was three pages a day. It's incredibly small (imo), however, as you said, I was still filling in pages.
The key to being a writer is to write. This seems obvious, but is the biggest issue writers have to face. I agree with ‘edit later’, because if I edit as I go, I lose my train of thought. Sometimes I will even leave a series of "."'s to indicate that I wasn't sure what goes there and I move on. Then I come back and fill those in on editing days or after a book is done and it's time for re-writes.
The important thing is to keep at it. Make sure you are writing five days a week (I say give yourself a weekend) and no matter how small you will get there. Like every habit you have to get into the groove. There will always be excuses not to…always. Even on those days choose to bust out a few sentences so that you know you wrote that day. In my experience it will make you a better writer.
Good luck and keep writing!
xoxo
Amy Laurel
Amy | Nov 27, 2009 | Reply
Heather — unfortunately I can all too agree with you. I got a lot in my head, but getting it on paper is another thing. Don't worry, we'll get there.
Amy — 3 pages a day? I kinda like that idea. Small but not overwhelming, managable and progressive. That's not a bad goal. Thanks for the input.
Cynthia Spurr | Nov 27, 2009 | Reply