The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day.
The Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
IWSG Asks: What steps have you taken to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?
Scheduling my writing has always been challenging. I've written blog posts about this subject many times in an effort try to sort it out. I run a busy household with 4 young children and a husband who has a growing list of hobbies. My writing isn't consider 'important' to my family, so I need to work in my writing time whenever I get a spare moment. Somehow, I manage. I wrote an entire novel in 15 minute increments one summer because I have no one to watch my children while I write.
Now, that my children are getting older, they're getting more supportive. Over the holiday vacation, I managed to get an hour of writing in the morning while my kids watched TV and played. They did their best to keep each other occupied so they little ones wouldn't interrupt me. I sat at the kitchen table while they stayed in the living and dining room, fetching drinks whenever they ventured into the kitchen. I managed to complete a 6500 short story. It's not an ideal situation, but I do what I have to do.
That seems to be the motto of my life...I do what I have to do to get things done.
This year, I'm going to push myself more. My life is in turmoil right now with certain family matters that are out of my control. And I foresee many changes in the future. Writing keeps me sane, so I'm planning to focus as much as my free time on writing as I'm able. That free time might become even more scarce as I'm going to have more responsibilities, but I love writing too much to give it up. And, since I was a teenager, I've wanted to write and publish books. I'm living my dream. Now, its time to make that dream live for me.
Since we've just welcomed a New Year, I'm re-evaluating my writing life. I'm working on a list of goals. I'll post those next week. I'm also scheduling a calendar of promotion for my books and my blog. I want to help other authors promote their books, too. And, I'm working on a 5-year business plan. I haven't done one of those for a while, so I figure I'm due.
My advice to other writers...
Even if you can only write for 15 minutes a day, do it! Those 15 minutes add up. Whether its in the morning, afternoon, night, during your lunch break at work or maybe while the baby is napping. It doesn't matter. Keep your writing close by at all times so its easy to open a notebook or screen and get right to it. If you have no one to help you find the time, then you have to find the time yourself.
I hope everyone has a Healthy and Prosperous New Year filled with writing and reading!
Keep a weather eye open for Pirates: A Boys Behaving Badly anthology.
Coming in February 2018!
Be sure to visit the other writers in the
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Happy Writing!
Tricia
I like your advice: just do it - no matter how small, do it! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThat's the only way things get done!
DeleteSee? 15 minutes of dedicated writing time can lead to success. That is amazing that you wrote a novel with those few minutes one summer. If you could do that, you can do anything. :)
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't easy, but I'm glad that I did it!
DeleteWriting has been a blessing all my life. It's where I vent, sort out issues and pat myself on the back when my feats go unnoticed. Without it I'd be much more of a wackadoodle. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I feel the same! Writing is kind of like therapy for me.
DeleteYou are absolutely right that small writing increments add up. I've been writing on my lunch hour for two years and slowly but surely the story is being told. And sometimes, losing myself in my writing is the only thing that keeps me what passes for sane!
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you're working on your story during your lunch break! It seems a daunting task at first, but after a while it all adds up!
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