I make my students read at least 20 minutes every day. They even have to record their minutes on a piece of paper and turn it in every Friday. To my parents, I promise them improvement in their child’s overall reading and writing levels just from that 20 minutes. Studies prove it.
So I have to ask myself am I doing that with my own writing? Am I doing at LEAST 20 minutes every day? No. At least not this year since I’m working full time. Lately I’ve become one of those writers who writes in spurts when I can get an hour chunk here and there. But I’m not sure that’s the best for my latest WIP.
There’s something about being in the ‘vibe’ of a novel and hanging out with my characters every day. It really keeps me connected to the story I’m writing. Plus if I promise myself to just write for a few minutes, suddenly those few minutes becomes longer. Great trick, right?
But more than anything, writing everyday keeps my skills sharp, my mind focused, and my word count up (!!!!).
So I’m changing my writing schedule. I’m promising myself to write at LEAST 20 minutes 6 days a week. I’m also going to keep myself accountable by recording it in my desk calendar.
What do you think? Will I see results? I’ll let you know at the end of April!
that’s a good reminder. I’ve been in a writing slump lately and part of it is because my kids and their ages have taken a turn that has made it hard for me to keep a regular writing routine. But that’s an excuse. WE can all find time to do what we want to do. I just have to stop making excuses.
Great post!
I need to do this too, Christina. I let so many other things get in the way. But what is 20 minutes? Nothing! Not a darn thing!
Christy, I find it really helps me stay in my story world if I do a little every day. It seems like slow progress, but 20 minutes is better than 0 minutes, right?
I applaud this!
…but I can’t do it. Even now, writing full time, I rarely write every day. But what I *do* do, is *think* about writing every day. So even if I haven’t written something, I HAVE unconsciously and consciously been working on the problems and plots of the stories.
I love Beth’s answer.
I work such crazy software geek hours, it’s sometimes impossible to write everyday but I think giving yourself “exposure” to your novel on a daily basis will keep you in its world.
Best of luck to you! 🙂
GREAT idea. I completely agree with you about the advantages of being with my characters on a regular basis. And those 20 minutes will add up to a completed novel quicker than you think.
Yes, it really is what works for you and your schedule. I’m finding what I did last year when I was part time and didn’t have such long hours as well as taking classes just isn’t working for me.
So I’ve GOT to try a new system until the summer. Otherwise, I’m going to come away with only having written practically nothing like last month! Ugh.
I’ll let you know if it works!
I have trouble with short spurts, but many writers swear by them. I agree that living in your story world every day, even if no actual words get written, is what really makes a difference.