One of my sanity-keeping strategies is to not let go of my
old routines even when external forces no longer necessitate them.
When I became a full-time mom, I relegated my writing to the
rhythm of my kids’ school year. That meant I took summers off. I began plotting
a new Middle Grade in September, with a first draft start date no later than October
first, and a second draft no later than February first.
My writing days were also set, with weekends relegated to
critiquing other writers’ work and drafting blog posts, such as this one.
School vacations were my days off, too. The summer was
re-charge time, with the creative engines beginning to rev up in August. I
jotted notes for ideas, but stayed off the first drafting table while Camp Mama
was active and I was running it.
I no longer have kids at home, and my cats don’t care that
it’s summer. But I keep to my established routines because they have worked
well for me. I never did NaNoWriMo* because I don’t need it. I have my own novel
writing month(s), and I don’t let myself off the hook just because I can.
*National Novel Writing Month= November
In truth, I always could just not do it if I didn’t feel
like it. But I understood this notion to be the enemy of the creative spirit.
It’s not what do I feel like today, but rather— today’s
Tuesday and so this is what I will feel.
Oddly, this isn’t confining; it’s liberating. There’s plenty of time for spontaneity and variety when the day’s work is done, and the work itself shapes a kind of internal liberation.
It’s cutting off the chains of ennui
and touching the light of yes, we can.
