For years, I had a solid regimen of working on WIP's or other true writing labors. Only after two to four hours of creative writing would I check my inbox to see what was flapping in the breeze on a given day. Following that, I would devote such time as was available to the painful (for me) art of promotion of my published books.
Lately, I've not been able to do that. When I sit at my computer, supposedly ready to create, nothing coherent comes out, and I spin my wheels worrying about the blogs, promos, or whatever else I felt needs to be done. Thus, my question: should a writer develop a routine that is 'written in stone', or should we go with the flow.
I'm an enigma in some ways, long on organization other than my writing, and short on inventiveness (is that a word?). When it comes to writing, I'm a definite pantser and I hate pre-planned plots with a passion. If my brain can't keep up with all the characters running wild in there, I don't deserve to call myself a writer. Don't get me wrong; I do lay out plot elements as I go, making sure all the threads of my fiction tapestry are pulled into place.
I realize that this monologue is not strictly about YA writing, but I think it is apropos in general. One thing I should add. Lately, I've been successful at creative writing in the afternoon. That never happened before, so I'm not sure whether to realign my daily scheme. For now, I will. I have several projects at a point where they need daily attention, one of them the second in my mystery series. The first book has a date certain for publication, so the second one has to be ready for the editors in time to keep on schedule. Now that should light a fire under my derriere, wouldn't you say? LOL
I'd like to hear from all of you about how you orgainize your writing day. Leave a comment if you can, so I can see how the other side lives. Meanwhile, happy writing and reading!
Pat Dale
11 comments:
Pat, in order for my juices to rev up I need to be reading. This may sound odd but when I read one small word sparks a thousand images and creativity in me. I'm not talking plagiarism but I may see the word 'lion' and that word alone will give me the spark I need to ignite to 'roar' the plateau up for my characters.
Hi Dale,
Like you, I don't pre-plan or outline, but have a broad idea where I want to go, and then let the characters take over from there. I revise many times, which I enjoy. For me, revision is the fun part of writing. Promotion can be fun, too, which can make it distracting. I'm not organized. I do try to have office hours where I don't answer the phone, or check emails, but have found unless I'm in a writing groove, this mostly fails. I try to limit my time on Facebook and reading and responding to my favorite blogs--this too often fails. I'm a docent at Dana Adobe and on the Friends of Nipomo Library board. The success of these organizations is important and on the days I volunteer I probably won't write, but feel I'm using my time wisely.
I write in the evening and weekends and try to do what little promo I do--never enough---on the weekends.
Great perspectives, folks. It hit me after I posted that I should be very grateful that I have the dilemma of divided writing time. For all those years when I longed to be a published author, I had plenty of time to write. So I wrote, and wrote, and wrote. Now I'd better get busy and write, and write, and write.
PD
Hi Pat -
I don't have set schedule for writing. With four kids it's virtually impossible. But I do find the time to write everyday. It doesn't always pertain to WIP. It may just be an entry in my journal, but I always write.
Also, I carry a small handheld recorder with me (all the time) so I can record ideas and write them down when I get to a computer. Sometimes I'll write for hours and sometimes it's just that little blurb that I recorded.
And read, read, read.
Michelle
Concilium, July 2012
www.michelle-Pickett.com/blog
For me, I have to love my story. My goal is to see it all finished and nicely typed up so I can read it. After all, I wrote it for me. This summer, I decided I would finish a tale I began working on in various forms when I was a mere slip of a 13 year old. This was the tale that started me off, which awakened my desire for writing. Since then, I am fortunate to have 4 novels published a and two more contracted BUT..not one has grabbed me the way this wip has. I have written something everyday for the past three and a half months, i eat, breath and dream it. I am in love with my characters and when, tomorrow, I sign off on the last chapter, I will cry. Now, i will admit my promotion has suffered because of my obsession with this story but it is where my muse has lead me. I know, when its all over and done, typed up edited to an inch of its life, I will feel bereft. I may hit another bout of writers block but it isn't something I worry about. I write when a story demands to be written. Oh so much waffling. Enough now.
I share your emotional connection with your first story, Viviane. My first project was a seat of the pants, write it as you think it, pipe dream. In three months I'd written 130K, but had trouble bringing it to conclusion. Since that summer, I've written more than a dozen other novels, had a bunch published, and am engrossed in my new mystery series. Yet, I still regard that first one as my best unedited work. I've honed it down so now its a mere 166K, but divides into two more or less equal books. Still have hope for it, but I need to rewrite it using all I've learned in the process.
Dale
Lately I'm doing more preplanning than I did when I first started writing -- characters, character arc, theme, plot points, some notes for scenes -- but when I start writing, a lot of th
Pat, I understand your problem. I have a WIP I've been meaning to get ready for the Muse Online Conference or to sub, but I haven't been able to even look at it. I sit down and unless I'm planning to write something new I check my email. That moves me along going to my friends' blogs and checking Facebook and Twitter if I get any email about them. Of course, my real life intrudes into my computer life a lot.
I am also a panther and right now I have a brand new story started with one chapter and two more in my head ready to write, but again, not writing it. My first novel was an MG fantasy and I gave up trying to publish it after several rejections. It needed so much revision and I didn't know enough about writing at that time. It's another thing to go back to.
All I can say is I have no answer. When I try to clear my groups, somehow I manage to join more. I also write poetry and that takes up a little of my time occasionally. I write when I'm inspired. So, sorry, but I also need some major 12 step program to get me back to writing.:)
I wrote pantser and the computer changed it to "panther".
Damn smart computer! LOL
thanks all for your input. Happy writing!
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