.jpg)
Jennifer is almost finished…
I’m a few thousand words from writing “The End” on one of my
manuscripts. It’s been slow going. I try to write at least 1,000 words a day,
so that I have a goal and so that I stay in the habit of writing regularly. I
don’t edit as I go, although I do go back after a certain number of pages and
re-read and edit at that time. But I write regardless of the quality of words,
just to get them on the page.
The problem is life gets in the way. I’ve been trying to
de-stress my life and reorganize my priorities. In the long run, it will result
in a happier me with more writing time. Currently, it results in more writing
time, but also more stress—change is hard, for me as well as for others
affected by my actions. So I often get to my writing time still reeling from
what’s going on elsewhere.
The outside world certainly doesn’t help. Politics and
people’s reactions and the media all infringe on my writing time as well. As
does social media. What used to be a nice break has turned into one of stress.
I can’t abandon it, as I use it for marketing and networking, but I’m trying to
put limits on how and when I involve myself in it.
So the WIP is getting there. Slowly. It will require lots of
editing, as my notes I leave myself as I go—fix this, add this, etc.—grow longer.
It’s by no means done. But it’s a start. And just by having something complete
encourages me to take the next step and improve it.
And now, back to writing!
In my writers' group we used to call these things 'life intrusions'. It happens to all of us.
ReplyDeleteI think it's amazing that you set yourself a 1,000 word goal for every day. Plus you set time aside to do marketing and PR.
I haven't touched a mss in months. I know 'one of these days' I'll get back to writing, but I'm definitely in a slump at the moment.
You also have a very demanding full-time job to write around. I'm amazed you have time to write as much as you do--and so well!
DeleteWell done for reorganising yourself! I try to write something every day, but I rarely manage 1,000 words!
ReplyDeleteI need to set a specific goal for myself or it's too easy to procrastinate when it gets hard.
DeleteI third this: kudos for writing 1000 words per day!
ReplyDeleteAs someone smart said once (Nora, I think), you can't edit a blank page.
I figure if I at least get the words down, I can always change them later. Thanks, Ana!
DeleteOh--I agree about the news. It's compulsive to stay up with it, but there's a lot at stake.
ReplyDeleteI know, but I need a break. I won't survive otherwise.
DeleteDo you need free Twitter Re-tweets?
ReplyDeleteDid you know that you can get these ON AUTO-PILOT & ABSOLUTELY FREE by getting an account on Add Me Fast?