Donna, I also struggle with that consistency. This is my public way of holding myself accountable for that consistency (because I've not been the best of late). I'm glad to have you back on the momentum track!
Good advice. I tell my students to aim for 15 minutes five times a week. They'll probably write for longer, but if they exceed 15 mins they'll feel like a success and hopefully keep going. Also, I put writing time on my calendar. There's something about seeing it there that helps...
Gabi, I thought about the 15 minute thing. Whenever I run-walk on the treadmill, I promise myself that I only have to do it for 15 minutes, and if I still hate it, I can leave the gym. Usually, by 15 minutes, the feel-good hormones hit and I keep going. I think it's the same for writing. We just need to start.
For me, the problem with my calendar is that I lie to it (or it lies to me). In short, I ignore the notifications. But if I write daily at the same time, then I can look at the clock at 6 am or 1030pm and know that that is always my writing time. I'm not sure if that's my ADHD or writer resistance, but I think the daily track will be the way forward for me.
I took a break from writing to read your blog, and it literally connected with what I was tweaking in my manuscript.
The C.S. Lewis quote really resonates because a couple of my characters are dealing with repressed emotions surrounding certain trauma and it’s starting to cause havoc. Dealing with pent up emotions hurts. Most of us are waiting for the “right” time to emotionally deal with the end of a friendship, the harsh words from our partner or mother, an injustice at work or uncomfortable situation we just keep letting happen because we don’t want to “rock the boat” or upset anyone.
But there is never an opportune downtime to deal with this stuff.
We habitually shore up our EMOTIONAL work, which leads to the dam bursting down the line - and at the most inconvenient time more often than not.
And that’s exactly what my characters are about to experience.
Suraya, Yay! Always glad to hear that synchronicity is at work. It somewhat came to me after our discussion last week. And yes, I agree, we put off the emotional work of life (and writing) and when it hits, it hits hard. If we don't deal with something now (or wait for the perfect time), we will be forced to deal with it through unexpected events (volcanoes, tsunamis, arguments). I'm sorry for your characters, but also, it's exactly what they need. :) Good luck with final revisions!
Consistency is the hardest. I'll give daily or weekdays another try. Cindy, thanks for the nudge to get back on the momentum track.
Donna, I also struggle with that consistency. This is my public way of holding myself accountable for that consistency (because I've not been the best of late). I'm glad to have you back on the momentum track!
Good advice. I tell my students to aim for 15 minutes five times a week. They'll probably write for longer, but if they exceed 15 mins they'll feel like a success and hopefully keep going. Also, I put writing time on my calendar. There's something about seeing it there that helps...
Gabi, I thought about the 15 minute thing. Whenever I run-walk on the treadmill, I promise myself that I only have to do it for 15 minutes, and if I still hate it, I can leave the gym. Usually, by 15 minutes, the feel-good hormones hit and I keep going. I think it's the same for writing. We just need to start.
For me, the problem with my calendar is that I lie to it (or it lies to me). In short, I ignore the notifications. But if I write daily at the same time, then I can look at the clock at 6 am or 1030pm and know that that is always my writing time. I'm not sure if that's my ADHD or writer resistance, but I think the daily track will be the way forward for me.
Absolutely - it’s whatever works. Different for each person…🙂
I took a break from writing to read your blog, and it literally connected with what I was tweaking in my manuscript.
The C.S. Lewis quote really resonates because a couple of my characters are dealing with repressed emotions surrounding certain trauma and it’s starting to cause havoc. Dealing with pent up emotions hurts. Most of us are waiting for the “right” time to emotionally deal with the end of a friendship, the harsh words from our partner or mother, an injustice at work or uncomfortable situation we just keep letting happen because we don’t want to “rock the boat” or upset anyone.
But there is never an opportune downtime to deal with this stuff.
We habitually shore up our EMOTIONAL work, which leads to the dam bursting down the line - and at the most inconvenient time more often than not.
And that’s exactly what my characters are about to experience.
Anyway,
Thanks for this post. It is right on time.
Suraya, Yay! Always glad to hear that synchronicity is at work. It somewhat came to me after our discussion last week. And yes, I agree, we put off the emotional work of life (and writing) and when it hits, it hits hard. If we don't deal with something now (or wait for the perfect time), we will be forced to deal with it through unexpected events (volcanoes, tsunamis, arguments). I'm sorry for your characters, but also, it's exactly what they need. :) Good luck with final revisions!