Authors, Writers, Publishers, and Book Readers
Questions about your writing process
- Do you have a set schedule or time you write?
- How do you fit it in?
- Do you find it easier to write a little in small bursts or to take a long run at it?
- How long do you spend writing daily/weekly? Do you count thinking time in that "writing time" too?
I'd like essentially to hear what you all do to accomplish getting it down. Please feel free to share any other insights and tips about your writing day. Thanks!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kay Elizabeth on
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I'm in the same position, scribbler when it comes to writing for pleasure, so can only speak from a work angle. I find it easier to do it in bulk than in short bursts. I don't switch tasks easily.
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Permalink Reply by Sean Noonan on
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My schedule is the most unregimented I can image. But here are the pointers I use as I prepare to write.
I have to be in a good mood, so will have a little me time just before, whenever possible.
I always close my eyes and visualise what I am about to write first. Set the immediate plot and the long range goals of the story clearly in mind, then call up the characters from my imagination.
I can write most anywhere but I tell myself where I am going to write and once I get there I am disciplined in starting. Once I start I normally want to continue till I have finished my piece. something like a particular event or episode in the story, or maybe my flight is landing and I have to stop.
In summary
I preload my expectations
Set my mind in order
Assign my writing space
Do what I say i'll do for as long as I said I would.
Hope this is helpful to you!
Ultimately I absolutely enjoy writing the stories and playing with the characters in my mind.
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What a great system you've got there, Sean! You touched on what's most important to me first: mood. If I attempt to be productive when I'm tired or not in the best of moods, it's never my best work. I spend more time revising than creating. I've learned it's better to admit defeat and go do something unrelated for a while to clear my head and then begin.
Sean Noonan said:My schedule is the most unregimented I can image. But here are the pointers I use as I prepare to write.
I have to be in a good mood, so will have a little me time just before, whenever possible.
I always close my eyes and visualise what I am about to write first. Set the immediate plot and the long range goals of the story clearly in mind, then call up the characters from my imagination.
I can write most anywhere but I tell myself where I am going to write and once I get there I am disciplined in starting. Once I start I normally want to continue till I have finished my piece. something like a particular event or episode in the story, or maybe my flight is landing and I have to stop.
In summary
I preload my expectations
Set my mind in order
Assign my writing space
Do what I say i'll do for as long as I said I would.
Hope this is helpful to you!
Ultimately I absolutely enjoy writing the stories and playing with the characters in my mind.
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Something from my work over the years as a manager, captain and consultant -- is the maxim.
"Quality, not Quantity"
Of course I have the luxury of writing for fun, which I am doing well with, but I do have other work to keep my head above water, so to speak. I am receiving a real flood of excellent reviews (one not so good, which stands out like a sore thumb. There was value to that one too for me though.)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Everlasting-and-Fantastical-Adven...
Its late and I am going against my own maxim here. Off to Turkey tomorrow, will write on the flight.
Have fun.
Kay Elizabeth said:What a great system you've got there, Sean! You touched on what's most important to me first: mood. If I attempt to be productive when I'm tired or not in the best of moods, it's never my best work. I spend more time revising than creating. I've learned it's better to admit defeat and go do something unrelated for a while to clear my head and then begin.
Sean Noonan said:My schedule is the most unregimented I can image. But here are the pointers I use as I prepare to write.
I have to be in a good mood, so will have a little me time just before, whenever possible.
I always close my eyes and visualise what I am about to write first. Set the immediate plot and the long range goals of the story clearly in mind, then call up the characters from my imagination.
I can write most anywhere but I tell myself where I am going to write and once I get there I am disciplined in starting. Once I start I normally want to continue till I have finished my piece. something like a particular event or episode in the story, or maybe my flight is landing and I have to stop.
In summary
I preload my expectations
Set my mind in order
Assign my writing space
Do what I say i'll do for as long as I said I would.
Hope this is helpful to you!
Ultimately I absolutely enjoy writing the stories and playing with the characters in my mind.
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Permalink Reply by Ale Mahogany on
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No, i don't have a set schedule or time to write. Although i do find myself most of the times writing in the middle of the night. I just can't seem to focus during daylight! =)
I just fit it in.
Small bursts, definitely.
I wouldn't know how to exactly answer the last one.
My system is a bit...odd.
I get the inspiration or the idea...and then i act it.
I take in the character and i start (literally out loud) to act the scene.
It's mere improvisation so i just let the words flow out.
I then set a timeline or where i'm headed.
The fun about my writing is that i set an end and i start writing, gradually noticing how the story writes itself to reach it.
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Permalink Reply by Callie Leah on
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I don't ever really have a schedule. I try to write whenever I get to, and for as long as I can! Whether it's on my computer, or on a notebook, I just write whenever possible, and I never can tell how long I write for, I get too lost in the story!
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Sometimes I just wake up and need to write. Like now. It's just past midnight here in Adana Turkey and I fly in three hours. Before I do, I have an adventure to polish. I dreamt of the characters and they called to me... "get back to work! We want to live." Is that not bizarre? Fun though. Moods right too. Things to do...
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Lol, that sounds like a cool dream! I love to dream about my characters because it helps me decide what they'll do next!
Sean Noonan said:Sometimes I just wake up and need to write. Like now. It's just past midnight here in Adana Turkey and I fly in three hours. Before I do, I have an adventure to polish. I dreamt of the characters and they called to me... "get back to work! We want to live." Is that not bizarre? Fun though. Moods right too. Things to do...
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Permalink Reply by Robert L. Allen on
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Hi Scribbler, I write in the mornings. Every morning. Sometimes for a couple hours, other times up to eight to ten hours. I work second shift, so I can write all day. Sometimes, like right now, my eyes are hurting due to over writing. I try to take Saturdays off but if the idea is flowing, I move forward. I have stopped sharing my first book with my writing group, so coming up this Saturday I have to get something ready from my second book. I decided not to move forward with the second book until the first one is being sent out. Sometimes I write poetry for the group but the book is coming so well I haven't left it. This week I would have to say, I have written around thirty hours up to this point. But what is time, do we ever have enough to write...
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Permalink Reply by 2 Moon Press Publishing on
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A suggestion to get more in the flow... Treat writing like a passion of course, however also mandate time to do it. Call it "me" time, or whatever... I have a set time of Sunday aftenoon, plus ost evenings if I can. Also, it does help to make your writing place as comfy as possible, plants and pictures that make you happy help, and it is a proven fact, clean areas and a clean desk help with feelings of peace, and feeling at peace and low stress will help the ideas flow.
I write, however also run a very busy publishing business, and I have found the above helps me a lot. As far as long runs or burtst.. I write as it comes. However a tip for over coming writers block... When you go to write a book, jot down a overview of the book, a list of main characters, plotline, who is who, who does what... Now of course this will change as the story comes alive, however when encountering a block. Take a deep breath and move onto another area of the book. Maybe start writing the end, or a key plotline... This will not only keep you writing, but you will find it will drum up ideas, on what you have written and help you burst through your block.
I spend around 10 or so hours per week writing, sometimes upwards of 30...
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Permalink Reply by Marti Melville on
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Writing time is a loosely defined process in a very disciplined practice in my life. Sounds contradictory, doesn't it? Actually, I've been sucessful by filtering my writing "rules" to only one: write something every single day. By removing the "shoulds" and "should nots" from my list of expectations, I find I am able to be successful every single time I sit with my laptop. Admittedly, there are some days that only a few sentances evolve but other days, I find I cannot get the words written fast enough and I stop when that flow of ideas ceases (for that session).
I agree that a quiet, rather "Zen" environment works best for me because I am a very visual person that tends to disappear into the story completely (luckily, I disappear into the crystal waters of the Caribbean and experience adventures on the High Seas of the 18th Century...Huzzah!). Interruptions bringing me back to the surface of my life, shattering the moment and become frustrating.
I am working on my second novel, soon to be finished and ready for submission. The process has evolved the same with this book as experienced with my first and the rules are set, "Just write SOMETHING every single day!".
Happy holidays to each of you!
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