Writing on Your Time

Tallchief Series: The Cowboy and the Cradle, Tallchief's Bride, The Groom Candidate, Tallchief for Keeps, The Seduction of Fiona Tallchief

Traveling opens new insights. I’ve just visited a local writers group and enjoyed old friends. While seated, I made notes--not about the topic, rather what I would write/story ideas/how-tos. With energy flowing around the room, my pen was busy with opening lines and story ideas, (I’m a fiction writer and have my own methods of getting story ideas.)

One of the fast-flying topics at the meeting was scheduling writing hours, blocking off times. This is highly touted, works for many, but we have to work/write with the lives we are given.

With a busy family life--and it depends on the age group--Writing Around the Corners of My Life was how one writer explained his writing time. This guy had a family, a full-time demanding job, and he wanted to write.

In the same situation, I did the same, writing draft heavily on weekends and editing/researching around those “corners”. I have been a full time writer for years and have just experienced more life changes. Now, with a relocation, new home and life style, I am realigning my writing time to what works for me: Keeping the story warm. Writing in bits/editing, and whole big 5k chunks.

Regimentation is a huge potential success factor, that is working/writing on whatever is a consistent basis. If that story is “hot” in me, I’m not likely to stop because a scheduled hour tells me Time Over. However, I have recently started a timer to insure I get up and stretch/exercise. While moving around, I may make notes on the story.

It is not unusual for me to write 500-2K-5K etc. and most writers write while the story is running through them. Repeat: Keep that story warm. This break-time to exercise is difficult to learn/adjust.

Thus, before leaving the writing flow, I make notes where I stopped to rev me upon return. A paragraph or so, some capped words will take me back into the story flow.

Keeping that story warm and flowing is the most important, no matter the scheduling technique.

While on this cross-country trip, I am exploring a car connect to my electronics, which will allow me to hear my WIPs while driving long stretches. Thus, keeping the story warm....

Whatever scheduling works, working is the best method for storyteller/writers. However you get there--intensive outlines or freewheeling, scheduled hours/around your life/or inspired--is right...  if it works for you.