Writing Schedule

[FloridaMike]

Hello All --

A new friend of mine on this site has asked me to share with you some of my thoughts on a writing schedule -- how I go about writing during the day.

(I am a full time freelance writer -- working in fiction, commercial writing and journalistic work...)

First of all, I think that it is vital for any person serious about writing to set time aside each and every day to write. I do understand that there will be days when you just do not feel up to writing...but, do it anyway! Write something -- even if it is just a letter...

My typical schedule is this...

I begin writing at 8:30 or 9:00 each morning -- I begin by taking up some little projects that I've lying around -- kind of like a runner stretching before he or she really takes off.

I then take up my more important fiction work for a few hours beginning mid-morning and running until early afternoon.

I then take a break for a few hours -- and I make sure that I read during this time. (I also believe that a dedicated writer should read each and every day. F. Scott Fitzgerald said that a good writer reads more than he writes...I also think that is a true concept.)

I will then write a bit more in the afternoon -- but, generally knock off for the day in the afternoon. (I do letter writing and "business" work in the afternoon -- there is also an elements of business to writing as well...working on finding venues for your work and what have you.)

I am not sure if this will be much help. In the end, a person needs to develop his or her own schedule -- but, it is important that a schedule be developed and "stuck to."

Cheers --

Mike Broemmel

 

[ConstanceB]

Mike, thanks so much for sharing.

I see how beginning with a few short things is a great warm-up. It's good for us to see something concrete from someone who has a system that works.

As you work on your larger pieces, do you write til the end, let it sit, then go through again for a clean-up? Or do you self-correct, edit, & alter as you are writing?

Many book publishers ask that you provide the first three chapters and an outline for their review. A published author told that she received an encouraging letter from an editor, who wanted a "thorough" outline of the book. From the description she gave, the outline was more thorough than the book itself. Myself, I would think they only wanted a generalized outline to show that the book actually had a recognizable plot. On the other hand, she's published, and I'm not. Observations?

Thanks again for your very real help. In Christ, ConstanceB

 

[Blessed-one]

sounds like a busy schedule, but one that feels comfortable.

I then take a break for a few hours -- and I make sure that I read during this time. (I also believe that a dedicated writer should read each and every day. F. Scott Fitzgerald said that a good writer reads more than he writes...I also think that is a true concept.)

hear, hear! it's a great pitfall of mine since starting full time work. uh..

 

[FloridaMike]

More often than not, Constance, I spend a lot of time stewing over a story before I even begin writing. For example, I like going for walks and I work through a story in my mind as I walk. Then I will sit down and write the draft. I don't go back and revisit it -- for editing or revision -- until I've the whole thing done. And, yes, I do tend to let the draft sit for a while before I pick it up again.

Did I answer you questions ??

 

[JesseRaymondBassett]

I need a set schedule....

 

[FloridaMike]

Hi Zora --


You know, a schedule really can help.

Of course, you need inspiration to write. But, even with inspiration, you need to actually sit down and write.

In any event, have a blessed Easter.

Mike

 

[Saruman]

Thank you for sharing this with us...it will truly help me! sometimes, though, i just dont have much inspiration in the morning.

 

[FloridaMike]

Hmmm -- What I might suggest is begin your writing at that point in the day when you feel most inspired to create

 

[thenightmarehero]

What I do before I start writing is gain inspiration from my environment and myself. I keep a voice recorder with me at all times in case I have a nifty idea so I can jot it down on the mic. Ideas eventually pile up and you can write something meaningful with them.

 

[Talons]

i'd like to have some sort of schedule, but i weirdly get most of my inspiraton through dreams, and at other times of inconvience. Usually i wake up around 2 am, finding i have a good idea so i write it down. You wouldn't believe the times i've been up until at least 7 (ARG SCHOOL) just trying to remember stuff...

Ahhh... Coffee.. i love you!