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| If only this would work! |
Just as there are
many ways to outline a novel or memoir, there are many ways to set up a writing
routine. Finding the time to write can
be daunting. Not many writers can afford—whether
it’s time or money—to go away to write. That
is for the lucky few. Most writers carry
many pens…and lots of paper. I know I
do. Writers are parents, teachers,
caregivers, or executives. Some writers
are doctors, lawyers, chefs, or small business owners. The fact is that most people have too much to
do.
So what should writers do? First and foremost, a writer needs to know
thyself—intimately. What works for
you? Do you like to get up early to
write, before your regular day begins? Or
rather you could be like me and be awake anyway so you may as well get up to do
something constructive. One of my
favorite writers, Mary Higgins Clark, who also has five children, would get up
at about 4 a.m. to write before her children stirred in the morning. Some writers come alive at night when the
house is quiet and dark, the only illumination coming from their computer
screens and faces. Some writers are
lucky and can tuck in what I call “writing chunks of time” throughout the day
and thereby rack up the word count and storyline.
However you can find time to write
is good and right for you. Then try and
make it a routine for yourself. Like
exercising. In fact, when I’m
exercising, I’m usually writing in my mind.
Sometimes, I work out scenes and passages in my stories or essays, so I
always keep paper and pen nearby. I use
exercise tapes, or rather DVD’s now, an old habit from the days when my
children were too little to leave alone to go to a gym, so I can pause the DVD
to jot down ideas for my writing.
Walking or hiking outdoors is a good exercise to help me clear the mind
of all my obligations and think about my writing. Sometimes, I carry a small tape recorder.
The most important thing is not
to get too discouraged if you miss a writing session. Tomorrow’s a brand new opportunity to get
back into the computer seat and start creating.
I’ve written about 13,000 words this first month of my Write Your Memoirin Six Months course and have many thousands more to write. This is only the beginning.
