I am NOT a person who needs to be commenting on this, except from the how-not-to-do-it point of view. I have no self-discipline and am as distractable and procrastinating as any writer, possibly more than most. If you check back, you will see that I actually wrote a post on using solitaire as a writing tool.
Recently a writer friend posted a link on our writers' group facebook page to a site called Writer Unboxed ("The Secret To Finding Time to Write"). One of the quotes we liked best in this article on writing time management was the advice to stop reading writing advice. While that seems oxymoronish in general, the author did elaborate on why and when you might want to forego seeking information about writing. The idea is to seek out advice and information about writing when you need specific help or inspriation, not a(nother) source of procrastination.
So while the statement "stop reading writing advice" in an article of writing advice seems contradictory, it really isn't. I have noticed that, at least on the surface, much general writing advice is contradictory. I have found a few recommendations about writing that don't have an opposite and equally valid suggestion from somewhere and I mean to explore them. I also plan to investigate both sides of other bits of advice writers share that go directly against the guidance and opinions of other writers and writing instructors.
I am certain that in the process, I will learn something. Hopefully, a lot of things.
www.jennifermballard.com
www.daylightsend.weebly.com
www.trustindarkness.weebly.com
Showing posts with label managing writing time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label managing writing time. Show all posts
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
To Write or Not....
It is said that to be successful in writing you have to write. A certain amount of time or pages or just anything - if not every day, then regularly - no matter what.
I recently came across a fellow writer who said we shouldn't waste our time writing if we're uninspired (or tired or frustrated), because whatever we create will just need to be thrown away or re-written the next writing session. Which is a valid argument, but for some it may be better to have something, however bad, to work with the next session than the same blank page you left the day before.
I recently spoke to another writer who also thought working on a WIP when you can't focus is a waste of time and energy, but she still advocated writing something everyday. If you can't work productively on your current project, then blog, write a journal entry or a letter to Aunt Jane. This also makes sense.
The truth is, you have to make time to write and you have to use your writing time wisely. There is so much more to the writing life than just creating. Blogs and websites have to be kept updated, markets have to be researched, submissions sent out, outlines written, revisions made.
Because I have a full-0time job and other commitments, I try to prioritize my work, with the most important work in progress being at the top of the list. If I can't make any progress on that, I go to something else. I have to be at my most alert to work on revisions, even more so than on a first or second draft. Marketing and submissions I can do when I have no creative spark at all.
One trick I use to see where I'm at mentally is games and puzzles. (See "Solitaire As A Writing Tool"). A quick game of Spider Solitaire will let me know how well my brain cells are functioning at any particular time of day. Even better are Sudoku puzzles. If I struggle through an easy or medium level one, it's probably not a good time to tackle a difficult writing issue. If I zip through a challenging or difficult game or puzzle, I know I'm at the top of my game and need to take advantage of that.
We each have to do what works best for us, but trying new things can help us find what it is that does work.
www.jennifermballard.com
www.daylightsend.weebly.com
www.trustindarkness.weebly.com
I recently came across a fellow writer who said we shouldn't waste our time writing if we're uninspired (or tired or frustrated), because whatever we create will just need to be thrown away or re-written the next writing session. Which is a valid argument, but for some it may be better to have something, however bad, to work with the next session than the same blank page you left the day before.
I recently spoke to another writer who also thought working on a WIP when you can't focus is a waste of time and energy, but she still advocated writing something everyday. If you can't work productively on your current project, then blog, write a journal entry or a letter to Aunt Jane. This also makes sense.
The truth is, you have to make time to write and you have to use your writing time wisely. There is so much more to the writing life than just creating. Blogs and websites have to be kept updated, markets have to be researched, submissions sent out, outlines written, revisions made.
Because I have a full-0time job and other commitments, I try to prioritize my work, with the most important work in progress being at the top of the list. If I can't make any progress on that, I go to something else. I have to be at my most alert to work on revisions, even more so than on a first or second draft. Marketing and submissions I can do when I have no creative spark at all.
One trick I use to see where I'm at mentally is games and puzzles. (See "Solitaire As A Writing Tool"). A quick game of Spider Solitaire will let me know how well my brain cells are functioning at any particular time of day. Even better are Sudoku puzzles. If I struggle through an easy or medium level one, it's probably not a good time to tackle a difficult writing issue. If I zip through a challenging or difficult game or puzzle, I know I'm at the top of my game and need to take advantage of that.
We each have to do what works best for us, but trying new things can help us find what it is that does work.
www.jennifermballard.com
www.daylightsend.weebly.com
www.trustindarkness.weebly.com
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