“Writing to a Schedule”

Every writer’s writing schedule is personal.  There are as many different schedules as there are writers.  In this post, I want to go over some aspects of making up a schedule that may help other writers or budding writers get over blank page fears or writer’s block in the future.

 

Normally, I write my daily output by page count.  Many writers use a word count to measure what they’re accomplished at the end of the day.  There are even writers who write in marathon spurts, going at it like they’re possessed until they pass out.  Set up a schedule from the start, something that doesn’t kill you after two days and something you can sustain for the length of time to write your work, however long it may be.  I write mostly novels, so I know I’ll be at it for months at a time.  Writing a novel is like the 1500-meter event in swimming.  It’s an endurance event.  Save your energy for the long  haul, if that’s what you’re writing.

 

I also outline extensively, something I’ve covered in these posts before.  I like to know from day to day where I am in the story and what’s coming next.  My outline allows me to see the big picture at all times and helps me keep track of where I am in the story.

Other writers like to let the words flow and make it all work together later in editing.  Do whatever works. 

 

I write 2 pages a day now.  That’s because I also work a full time job for an employer.  I will be retiring to write full time in August 2017.  At that time, I expect to up my daily page count to 3-5 pages.  That should take me about 2 hours and I’m worn out after that and need a break.  I print my newly written pages, mainly because I like the satisfaction of seeing the pages physically pile up. 

 

A major factor in keeping to a writing schedule is personal motivation. Unless you have a contract and a deadline, motivation is something every writer has to figure out for themselves.  Here are my tips for staying motivated:

 

a.     Write at the same time every day.  Make it part of your routine.  I’ve worked for 22 years at my current job and I’ve trained myself to do pages early so as to make time for my actual job. Then I often return to those same pages during the day to massage them.

b.     Spend time the night before with your outline (if you have one).  Go over what you want your main characters to say and do.  Think up a starting sentence or two.  Let your unconscious work on it.  Blank page-itis can be overcome by knowing how to start.  Just tell yourself you can do one good page.  Any writer can write one good page.  Often, once you start writing, you’ll find the juices start flowing.

c.     Cut out or wall off all distractions.  Be firm, even ruthless, about this.

d.     Have references ready at hand.  Have a good Internet connection.  I use Google a lot.

 

After doing all my daily pages, I re-read and edit several times.  Then I put it away for the day, or most of the day.  I spend the rest of the day on marketing, editing other stuff, researching, daydreaming, etc.

 

I like to already have a book cover before I start.  I look at it every day and it helps me get in the mood.  Also, one advantage of sticking to a daily schedule is to keep your mind (especially your unconscious mind) ‘in the story,’ always percolating with ideas and snippets of words for the story.

 

There are plenty of other ways to get in the mood:

 

a.     Re-read your  last several pages right before starting

b.     Put yourself in the shoes of your characters (what would I do when faced with the same situation?)

c.     Thumb through your notebooks of research every now and then (something may pop up).

d.     Do what you have to do to live in the imaginary world you’re creating.

 

This last piece of advice is very important: When the grind becomes unbearable, give yourself permission to take a day off.  Go to the bookstore.  Go shopping or walking or driving.  Groom the dog. As for me, I swim and workout regularly.  A lot of my ideas come as I do laps in the pool.  Do those things that mentally and emotionally re-charge you. 

 

Then get back to work, you slug.   What, you think that book’s going to write itself?

 

The next post to The Word Shed comes on October 17.

 

See you then.

 

Phil B.