Finding the time to write a novel is one of the major issues confronting writers, particularly those who haven't been published yet. How does one justify to themselves, or to their loved ones, that they need time to write if they have demands on their time, like a job, or a house to be cleaned, a family to be fed, or shopping to do? They make the time.
To make time, one would have to sit down and plan it. If this is not done, then writing will become a haphazard event, dictated by a whim, or a passing urge, rather than a scheduled time. This often results in the book never really being finished. You do want to finish that book, don't you? Below, I have my own suggestions as to how to make time.
Once you make that appointment with yourself, that's the easy part. Next, you have to keep that appointment. There are so many instances when something else interferes with your designated time. I know, I've been there. Therefore, you need to have some flexibility. Always have a reserve time slot handy in case you don't make your date. Although I was pretty regular and rarely strayed from my afternoon schedule, there were times that I just couldn't stay on track. I learned to be flexible and wrote in the evenings. The important thing to remember is to not stray too far from your schedule, because it defeats the purpose.
Once you've scheduled your writing dates, then prepare your work area. Try and have it ready before your designated time. If you have a computer, make sure the printer has enough paper, and there's a floppy disk available to save your Word files in. If you use a pen and paper instead, make sure you have them handy. Also, make sure you have enough lighting in the room. You wouldn't want to strain your eyes. Make your writing area as comfortable as you can.
Now try writing for a week. How did it feel? If you're like me, it felt great. Not only did it feel great writing, but I quickly found out it wasn't enough time! One does need time to get into the story, to think about the dialogue, to write that chapter. Sometimes you'll be so absorbed in your writing, that you may surpass the hour you designated, and that's fine if you go beyond your scheduled time (unless it affects your other activities). There will be other times when you'll sit there doodling, trying to write something, and it won't be easy, so you'll probably finish quicker than the allotted time.
The important thing is to write on a consistent basis. It's similar to exercise. In order to see results, you have to do it persistently and over a long period of time. A novel can never be written in one sitting! Over the course of your writing, you'll be learning valuable skills that can only come from experience. Also, you'll notice that the more you write, the easier it'll become.
As you follow your daily writing schedule, you will show your loved ones that you are serious about your work, and more importantly, prove to yourself that you can write that novel!
I wrote my first novel in 1-? years. Being a stay-at-home mother gave me the opportunity to write during my baby's naps, which averaged about 2-3 hours each afternoon. It is very rewarding to see your novel taking shape. If I could do it, then so can you!
About The Author
Patty Apostolides is author of Lipsi's Daughter. She has published several articles and poems. Her website showcases her works: http://www.geocities.com/10500bc/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/10500bc/index.html
shuttle from O'Hare Brocton .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareArrogance has a bad rap. We think of arrogant people... Read More
Q. I'm staring at a blank screen with an equally... Read More
You have a great idea for a poem, a story,... Read More
In the ten years that I've taught people how to... Read More
Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your... Read More
What do you mean, you don't have a website yet?... Read More
If you either want to write a book to help... Read More
Writing for the web is very different from writing for... Read More
During my 25-year career in a variety of professional positions... Read More
Paulo Coelho was born on August 24th 1947 in Rio... Read More
Prolific authors write; they don't just dream about it. A... Read More
Hundreds of writing contests tempt screenwriters with the lure of... Read More
In this article you will find tips on: How to... Read More
It turns out that "tips and templates on how to... Read More
When most people consider writing a book, they don't think... Read More
At some point along the way, most of us have... Read More
I asked several writers how long it took them to... Read More
Today Norm Goldman, Editor of sketchandtravel and bookpleasures is honored... Read More
Structure in the form of frameworks, work processes and goals... Read More
One obvious question that can get overlooked in the process... Read More
A friend and I were talking the other day about... Read More
As one of those fabulous Baby Boomers, you now own... Read More
Q: How do I expand on an idea without getting... Read More
In large publishing houses, many manuscripts penned by first-time authors,... Read More
There is one key difference between reports and most other... Read More
Chicago charter limousine service Hickory Hills ..1 - Join a reading or writing group. Ask members... Read More
When we think of writing it triggers many thoughts and... Read More
One obvious question that can get overlooked in the process... Read More
Becoming an author is probably a lot easier than you... Read More
1) Can you summarize the story in about a sentence... Read More
Q. My writing sounds stiff and stilted. Help!A. Memories of... Read More
Day after day, writers tend to sit for hours writing... Read More
In one of the exercises in my "Getting Started as... Read More
First impressions count in writing too! So it is always... Read More
1. No one else will do it for you.2. No... Read More
How to Come Up with Fresh Story Ideas When Your... Read More
GAINING WRITING EXPERIENCE Some Catch-22, huh? In... Read More
Have you heard the term 'ghostwriter' and wondered what they... Read More
Most of us hate housework.Nevertheless, even the most hopeless slobs... Read More
Despite the widespread use of e-mail in commerce today, traditional... Read More
If Ben Franklin were alive today, he would be...uh, very... Read More
The first five pages of a novel are critical.Editors make... Read More
ESSAY 2Andre Malraux once said that what interested him in... Read More
Beyond three and four act story structure, lies the Hero's... Read More
You're writing a story set in your local city, but... Read More
Peter Abrahams is the author of thirteen novels, including "The... Read More
Writing engaging articles and energizing ad copy takes... Read More
How do you describe a scene without slowing down the... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?By now you should have an idea... Read More
Arrogance has a bad rap. We think of arrogant people... Read More
Writing |