Over half term I was in Devon (this was my view – it probably
helped!) and made writing my priority for the week. That meant I actually got on and did it, even
though there were lots of other things still pushing for my time. I wrote more that week than I have for
months, producing several thousand words and getting my head firmly into the overall
storyline. It’s obvious, but when you’re
writing regularly then you naturally spend more time in between thinking about
what’s going on in the story and why. New
ideas and connections pop up easily. Long
gaps between writing stints means that each time you come back to it it takes
more time to warm up again, making the writing slower and more clunky.
I’m aware that popping off for a week’s holiday isn’t an everyday solution though (sadly!)! My writing accountability partner (more on her in a minute!) has just been on a personal 2 night writing retreat, giving her the opportunity to successfully edit her whole 89,000 word manuscript (she’s writing a proper novel – my kids’ book will only be about 30,000 words thankfully!). Like me, she has kids and a manically busy life, but unlike me she’s been quick to work out if something’s important then it’s gonna need special time dedicated to and protected for it. It’s not easy to organise time out like that – nothing worth doing ever comes easily – but it’s something I’ll definitely be putting in my diary early next year when I have a finished draft that I want to edit. Getting fully immersed in a manuscript for 48 hours will be so much more productive than having to tackle it piecemeal over a number of days/weeks.
If a holiday/retreat isn't possible then another way to get serious about writing is to find a writing accountability partner. I can’t begin to tell you what an amazing help it is! Although J is further on than me in her writing journey, we can mutually encourage each other. She’s brilliant at giving constructive criticism and also encourages me to set clear achievable goals. That has already been invaluable and meant I actually get on and write, rather than just think about doing it. It is so true often that “to fail to plan is to plan to fail.”
I’m learning about making those goals realistic though – my first was to write 20,000 words while in Devon!! J was dubious at the time but gracious enough to let me set it as a goal, so I learnt the hard way. 2,000 words a day would be impressive for any writer, let alone one just getting going. I didn’t manage anything like that but it did mean that I produced more than I might have done without any goal. I’ve broken the 10,000 word barrier and now aim to have 20,000 by the end of November and 30,000 words (finished first draft, woop!!) by the end of the year :-) No more wishful thinking round here!
"A goal without a plan is just a wish." Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I’m aware that popping off for a week’s holiday isn’t an everyday solution though (sadly!)! My writing accountability partner (more on her in a minute!) has just been on a personal 2 night writing retreat, giving her the opportunity to successfully edit her whole 89,000 word manuscript (she’s writing a proper novel – my kids’ book will only be about 30,000 words thankfully!). Like me, she has kids and a manically busy life, but unlike me she’s been quick to work out if something’s important then it’s gonna need special time dedicated to and protected for it. It’s not easy to organise time out like that – nothing worth doing ever comes easily – but it’s something I’ll definitely be putting in my diary early next year when I have a finished draft that I want to edit. Getting fully immersed in a manuscript for 48 hours will be so much more productive than having to tackle it piecemeal over a number of days/weeks.
If a holiday/retreat isn't possible then another way to get serious about writing is to find a writing accountability partner. I can’t begin to tell you what an amazing help it is! Although J is further on than me in her writing journey, we can mutually encourage each other. She’s brilliant at giving constructive criticism and also encourages me to set clear achievable goals. That has already been invaluable and meant I actually get on and write, rather than just think about doing it. It is so true often that “to fail to plan is to plan to fail.”
I’m learning about making those goals realistic though – my first was to write 20,000 words while in Devon!! J was dubious at the time but gracious enough to let me set it as a goal, so I learnt the hard way. 2,000 words a day would be impressive for any writer, let alone one just getting going. I didn’t manage anything like that but it did mean that I produced more than I might have done without any goal. I’ve broken the 10,000 word barrier and now aim to have 20,000 by the end of November and 30,000 words (finished first draft, woop!!) by the end of the year :-) No more wishful thinking round here!
"A goal without a plan is just a wish." Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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