Monday, September 8, 2014

September #wipmadness – Week Two

So how was your first week of September?

Mine was okay. I cashed in a bunch of loose change that I've earmarked for the purchase of an updated version of Syd Field’s Screenplay and other writing-related books. I also brainstormed ideas for one of my TV pilots. I even know the line of dialogue that ends the first act of the pilot episode. Now I just need to actually write these ideas down instead of keeping it in my head.

I think what I need most is to reestablish a writing routine.

Now I've never quite had the best writing routine. I tend to write in long spurts under tight deadlines. Paper due tomorrow afternoon? By all means, let’s start it at 10 the night before. Supposed to submit a story for fiction workshop on Tuesday night? It’s only Saturday, I can watch one more episode (or six) of Friends and still have something to pass out. Draft of thesis project? Um, let’s not go there. J

I’m not sure why I’m so reluctant to committing myself to a routine. Perhaps it’s because I’m so busy planning the forest and the surrounding areas; including the castle and the river, that I run into trees and shrubs that trip me up. Or I spend time constructing metaphors for the simple fact that I keep ignoring: To be a writer means you have to WRITE.

It’s such a novel idea. Writers write.

So my goal for this week is to:

1. Take a few minutes and write down the ideas.

2. Set up a mini routine for the week. Pick a time and write for at least ten minutes each day at that time. Start rebuilding the muscle memory of writing.

My question for you this week is:

What is your writing routine? When do you write? Where do you write? How long do you write for? Are you aiming for a certain number of words, pages, or minutes?

Do you have any advice for establishing a writing routine? What works? What doesn't work?

And what’s the best excuse you've used or heard for avoiding writing?

I have some very cool ideas for giveaway items including a WRITE bracelet and cool bookmarks. I’ll post pictures of the prototypes next week. My friend and sometimes writing partner, Jenn has graciously agreed to make these items.

Hope you have a great week full of fantastic writing sessions and amazing reads. I just finished reading my fifth Andrew Smith novel: 100 Sideways Miles.

Even though it’s been more than 1.7 million miles since I read the final line of the book, I’m still lost in its world, and wish there was an additional chapter hiding beyond the final blank page. I love it when books stick with you for hours, days, and even years after you read it. I hope someday a reader will feel that way about my own book or screenplay. 

5 comments:

  1. I usually schedule in my writing or else it doesn't get done. Tomorrow I'm scheduled to be at the coffee bean & tea leaf. Hope to work some magic on this new beginning!

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  2. How did I manage to be first here again this week?

    We just returned home Saturday evening from a 2-1/2 week holiday. As mentioned last week, I haven't set any earth-shattering September goals for myself, but have been puttering along on my WIP. On the weekend I realized I have less than a week left until a contest deadline, so I've abandoned my other writing in favour of a non-fiction piece. So far I managed 500 new words on it today. Only about 1000 more to go. :)

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    1. I wasn't first, after all. And I forgot to mention my scheduling. I write every day. I do a little most mornings (after I've had my orange juice), but it's not my most productive time. Evenings after the house is quiet I write until I'm too tired to continue.

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  3. I don't have much of a routine. I blame that partly on being a shiftworker and partly on lack of discipline, haha.

    For me, it's important to "honour my process" and do what's right for me. That means I don't write every day. I do set deadlines for projects, but no daily word count / pages goals. I'm good about meeting deadlines, and the freedom to work a little or a lot on any given day/week keeps me relaxed and able to approach the work with joy.

    I share a home office with my husband, and usually work at my desk. But I go in phases of working on the couch, too. Music when first-drafting, quiet when revising. (Mind you, I can work in absolute chaos, too...a learned perk of having four kids, I guess!) ;)

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  4. Ugh, it's been an awful week writing-wise. I won't bore you with the details, but suffice to say, I had a bunch of stuff that I'm responsible for ALL come in at the same time. I haven't written in something like twelve days now, and I usually get grumpy after a two-day hiatus from writing, so you can imagine what I'm like now. Grrrrr. As for schedule...I do keep one, but if I talk about it now, I'll probably end up throwing something, because, well, the schedule is not working at this point.

    ! Thanks for hosting and I'm glad there are other positive folk around here to balance me out :)

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