As I’m rounding my fourth draft of my WIP, a novel for
middle grades, I reflect on the process and how it has changed over my writing
years. It’s not my “first round at the rodeo,” as the saying goes.
The creative process of earliest attempts, going back some
years, were more intense. I would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night
with a realization that there was a plot hole which needed fixing. I kept a pad
and pen on the headboard and would jot it down to be addressed in the morning.
In order not to wake my husband up I sometimes wrote in the dark, and blimey if
I could make sense of my scribbles the next drafting day.
Many times, during first-drafting periods, I would realize
that I had used the wrong word in a pivotal sentence and would turn the
computer back on to revise. This could happen in the middle of dinner
preparation or just before going to bed. Something inside me knew that if I
didn’t take care of it, the insight would disappear into the void never to
resurface again, and an important matter would be deserted for eternity.
I notice that the more times I had gone through this, the
more relaxed the process had become. Drafting now is a steady and slow process.
Each day’s session, once ended, stays quiet in slumber as my mind unwinds until
the next day— when I go on to the next.
What hasn’t changed was my commitment to productivity,
guarding the time I set from other incursions. A friend wants to get together
or talk on the phone? Not during writing time, please. (Weekday mornings, with
Wednesday being my vacay day.) Doctors’ appointments? Reserved for Wednesdays.
Same for all other chores that can’t be done in the afternoon or evening.
In other words, I treat writing as a job. I know that for me
this is the only way I can accomplish these marathons.
Writing no longer takes over my whole day. It has its allotted
time, and the blessed focus and concentration this time brings. But today each
novel drafting is a “one foot in front of the other,” “one day at a time,” to
the finish line.
There is no universal wisdom here. Every creative must find
how they work, and thus, how to work.
good post
ReplyDeleteMirka, I'm always so impressed with how strict you are with your writing schedule and how productive you are about finishing a new novel every year. Good job!
ReplyDeleteMirka, it's wonderful to look back and see how you've grown as a writer. I have to admit, I was more disciplined when I just had a couple of hours to write each day. Now, I allow so many other things to take me away from the desk--good weather, music, grandbaby! Second one is due any hour now!
ReplyDeleteHaving a set writing time has really helped me, too. I like that you have "vacay" days. I usually take one day off to do blogging/social media posts, although occasionally those are also days when I get together with friends (usually other writers!) for coffee days.
ReplyDeleteOne never knows when inspiration or correction will come. I might be walking or swimming when I realize I must change the way I wrote something. Thank goodness for these brain bursts!
ReplyDeleteTreat writing as a job-- it is such sound advice. I need to do this myself or I will never finish this book I'm on.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could control my schedule more, but the unexpected pops up and often whisks away my allotted writing time.
ReplyDelete