To expand on what you said about reading writers or subjects related to your project, I’ve found it energizes all of my writing to (re-)read certain authors/ books/ pieces when I’m feeling stuck. On a flight last summer, I watched David Sedaris’ masterclass, and that was one of the things he said: read writers that make you think, “I can do this.” I’ve found that so helpful.
This is a great reminder that writing is bigger than the polished draft. The real craft often lives in the low-stakes stuff where voice and thinking are getting reps.
I’m very much an early morning, before the family needs me, writer too and find that it’s the best time to create - whether it is deep novel writing or working around the margins as you’ve described. It’s all still time for my mind to unfurl.
Thanks for sharing this, Simi. I feel similarly! I used to write at night, but when I started working on my memoir, I found that I’d stay up too late and then couldn’t sleep. In the mornings, I have a hard stop when my kids wake up. The limited time helps me to be more productive.
Can confirm. Writing a novel while working full-time is a fun challenge. You must snatch bits of the day to focus on the project, all while battling the self-doubt voice. I set a daily reminder on my mobile.
My writing workshop instructor commented my insta stories reminded her of journal entries- when I began to see my social media writing as valid, it helped me see the writing muscle was still developing. Writing comments and responding to questions in newsletters is another practice when I don’t feel like words are coming easily on a big project.
The time I can focus on writing also varies throughout the year. I have a very hard time waking up before my kids in the winter but enjoy that time before camp drop off in the warmer months. My biggest block has always been thinking I don’t have enough time to write anything but if I block off 1-2 hours, I often find the words flow easier than if I had 6. My kids are getting older and don’t need the supervision they once did so I also know the one hour in the afternoon they are having screen time after school or camp is usually a good time to write.
Thank you for sharing this, Elizabeth! I feel the same way about the different times of year. I find that I have a little more headspace to write in the summer months, too. Time feels more fragmented, though, with the kids being out of school and in various camps.
There's definitely something about knowing you only have one to two hours, though, that can really make you sit down and write. Longer stretches can sometimes be less productive — I think because the self-induced pressure to write a substantial amount can become stifling!
Part of the writer's life is learning how to get good at finding those pockets of time in the seams of the day. My kids' screen time is very often my writing time too! :)
So many good pointers, Mallary! Thank you!
To expand on what you said about reading writers or subjects related to your project, I’ve found it energizes all of my writing to (re-)read certain authors/ books/ pieces when I’m feeling stuck. On a flight last summer, I watched David Sedaris’ masterclass, and that was one of the things he said: read writers that make you think, “I can do this.” I’ve found that so helpful.
So glad you like the piece, Joy!
And I couldn't agree with this more! Love Sedaris' advice.
I have a commonplace journal where I keep track of writing that inspires me. It has become a really helpful practice. (Wrote more about it here: https://mallary.substack.com/p/5-tips-for-creating-and-sustaining)
Yes! So many other writers have inspired me to write better and often a passage in a book will help clarify my thinking.
This is a great reminder that writing is bigger than the polished draft. The real craft often lives in the low-stakes stuff where voice and thinking are getting reps.
Yes, the low-stakes stuff has more value than we give it credit for!
I’m very much an early morning, before the family needs me, writer too and find that it’s the best time to create - whether it is deep novel writing or working around the margins as you’ve described. It’s all still time for my mind to unfurl.
Thanks for sharing this, Simi. I feel similarly! I used to write at night, but when I started working on my memoir, I found that I’d stay up too late and then couldn’t sleep. In the mornings, I have a hard stop when my kids wake up. The limited time helps me to be more productive.
I agree, I’m definitely more productive in a limited time frame. When I have hours I let myself get distracted!
Can confirm. Writing a novel while working full-time is a fun challenge. You must snatch bits of the day to focus on the project, all while battling the self-doubt voice. I set a daily reminder on my mobile.
So true, Esmeralda. It’s definitely a daily challenge. Glad you’re making it work!
Your Instagram post is wonderful. It describes and illustrates your life's arc in a meaningful and comprehensible way.
Thank you so much, Sharon!
My writing workshop instructor commented my insta stories reminded her of journal entries- when I began to see my social media writing as valid, it helped me see the writing muscle was still developing. Writing comments and responding to questions in newsletters is another practice when I don’t feel like words are coming easily on a big project.
The time I can focus on writing also varies throughout the year. I have a very hard time waking up before my kids in the winter but enjoy that time before camp drop off in the warmer months. My biggest block has always been thinking I don’t have enough time to write anything but if I block off 1-2 hours, I often find the words flow easier than if I had 6. My kids are getting older and don’t need the supervision they once did so I also know the one hour in the afternoon they are having screen time after school or camp is usually a good time to write.
Thank you for sharing this, Elizabeth! I feel the same way about the different times of year. I find that I have a little more headspace to write in the summer months, too. Time feels more fragmented, though, with the kids being out of school and in various camps.
There's definitely something about knowing you only have one to two hours, though, that can really make you sit down and write. Longer stretches can sometimes be less productive — I think because the self-induced pressure to write a substantial amount can become stifling!
Part of the writer's life is learning how to get good at finding those pockets of time in the seams of the day. My kids' screen time is very often my writing time too! :)