All authors seem to have a different method when and how they arrange a time to write. Some write a precise number of hours at a certain time each day. I am not that disciplined, but I can see where this would help a writer to consistently create work. I cannot follow this framework, especially at this time of year. Holidays mean family and friends, visits, long to-do lists, and keeping up at work. Plus, other life events intervene, and these must take precedence.Besides, I have to have a story sizzling in my mind to stay working on it until it reaches a fairly complete stage. Right now, three are bouncing around in my brain, but my logical and creative viewpoints are arguing about how to make them different, how to make them suspenseful, and how to make them interesting, so the developmental stage is dragging on. Plus, two finished manuscripts are waiting, in need of a final revision. Yet, it seems like I haven't really written in months, and I’m not sure this pre and post-production stuff counts. As of now, actual writing will have to wait until after December 25th, but this time of year is productive in other ways than writing—it does stimulate my imagination.
All this separation from creating manuscripts is useful. As much as fiction writing is all in the mind, the details that make the story connect with readers depend on an author’s interaction and experience with others.
Anyway, I usually write best in summer, so when I'm stuck on details and plot, I can go walk or garden both of which busies my body but allows my mind to zone out and then focus in.
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I think the pre and post production stuff is hugely important and certainly counts as real. Glad, though, that you're going to enjoy a family break. Happy Christmas, anne
ReplyDeleteI'm like you, not as "disciplined" as I think I "should" be, but it eventually gets done!
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking I could be so much more productive if only I could find the discipline - alas it never seems to happen and now that I am retired, I can be even more frivolous with my time. Once I get "into" a story, it's hard to tear myself away, but at the moment, I'm letting my WIP rest while I percolate ideas for the next one. Timing was serendipitous though because I have 12 birthdays between October and December which makes this time of year doubly busy. But even though I've given myself permission to take a break, ideas keep bubbling up in my mind and I've kept a notebook handy to write them down so once the holiday rush is over and my WIP is cleaned up and off to my editor, I'll be able to dive right in again. Have a lovely holiday.
ReplyDeleteI'm like you. I'm not sure about all this pre and post production stuff.
ReplyDeleteIt interferes with my writing and my creativity. I would prefer to be able to write a book and when it's finished, move on nd write another one. It doesn't happen any more. Good luck on the three you're playing with and Happy Holidays!
I am entirely different in how I write. I am composing ideas, relationships, scenes, characters etc. while driving a car, working in the garden, having a shower, settling for sleep... it's there all the time. The trouble sometimes is to get back to the emotion when the keyboard is under my fingers. If I can't do that, I don't record what I've thought of, but focus on some other aspect of writing. When I do connect, the words just flood out of me.
ReplyDelete:)
Bob