I’m not making New Year’s Resolutions this year; we all know how that goes. (By mid-February, or sooner, they’re dust in the wind). Instead I’m making a few changes to the time I traditionally do (or don’t do) things, and the place I do (or don’t do) them.
The first question: Does it matter what time of the day I write?
I’m a morning writer and have been for years. My morning ritual begins with a brief reading from an inspirational book or some poetry. My current read is A Book of Delights by Ross Gay. Delightful! Then a few pages of free-fall journaling, accompanied by coffee and a scented candle (and to my dear friends who know me so well as to give me scented candles as gifts: Thank you!).
Following this first hour or so, my routine has been to open the current WIP and attempt progress—revising, editing or writing something new/needed. I’m on third or fourth draft of my memoir, depending on how we count drafts. About mid-way into the third draft last year, a whack on the head told me to restructure the whole thing. That sent me back to the beginning again, hence the waffling on draft numbering. So after I put the journal materials away, I pull out my laptop from its bottom-drawer location, put it on the table, open the notebook or the file folder or whatever I’m working from and begin work. Usually for another hour or maybe ninety minutes.
The problem is, by now, I’m pretty hungry. Also, an hour or ninety minutes four or five days a week doesn’t feel like enough time given to the work. Although I’m a believer that no matter how much time you give your writing (or any project), if you do it regularly for an hour or even less a day, you’ll make progress. I know from experience this is true. But lately I have also had the itchy feeling that for me, for now, for this project, an hour or even two hours, four or five days a week isn’t enough. I want to go deeper into the work. I want to accomplish more, move further along. In other words, I want to finish this draft. You may recognize this impatience.
This is the place that got me to asking the question: Does it matter what time of the day I write?
Maybe, I thought to myself and said aloud to some of my writer pals, maybe if I time-blocked longer sessions at different times during the week, I could go deeper, accomplish more, and actually finish the damn thing!
So with my new planner open to January’s possibilities, I set about blocking off longer stretches of writing at different times of the day.
Then a second question appeared: Does it matter where I write?
That’s for next post.
Meantime, what about you? Do you have a set time/same time for your writing or your creative WIP?
I wish I had a routine, but my job is all-consuming and I have to carve out time beyond the 50 hours I devote to it. I’ve given myself deadlines, which is helping. I also go somewhere else to write, which means I tend to stay longer and get more done. Writing in my office only reminds me of all the emails, phone calls and projects that are vying for my attention. Plus it feels less like “work” if I go somewhere like a coffee shop or the library. I have to really notice the time when I’m at a coffee shop though. I once exceeded the generous 3 hour parking on a weekend and my car was towed! A very expensive lesson.
The issue of feeling compelled to write is an intriguing one to me. I’ve never been remotely interested in writing poetry, but several years ago I suddenly, urgently needed to compose poems, which I did for 6 months. I wrote about 12 poems, some of which seemed fairly okay to me. But then I stopped and never felt the urge again. When I was writing my novels and non-fiction books, they were demanding to be written and I’m so glad I listened. But this memoir journey I’m on has taken a lot of twists and turns and currently feels a combination of “meh” in terms of interest and overwhelming in scope. Trying to break it down into bite size chunks, getting a handle on theme and working within my container.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Deborah,
A 50-hour a week job does sound all-consuming and I bet you continue thinking about it even when you’re not physically there. I remember when I worked more than “full-time,” too, back when I was ED for San Diego Writers, Ink and, before that The Writing Center. About the only time I was able to carve out time for my own work was during the drop-in groups where we all did free-writing together. So I know how hard it is and sympathize with you.
Recently I had to leave my car to be repaired and took the couple of hours to work in the nearby library. What a treat that was! I hope you’re able to do more of that (me, too).
Interesting, too, your comments on experiencing the compulsion to write and how that can come upon us suddenly and then, just as suddenly abandon us. Your story of the poetic urge visitation is fascinating. I hope for both of us, we can keep our memoir journeys alive and lively. Good luck! And thanks for writing.
Hi Judy,
I am wondering the same wonder this year. I’m setting aside a block of time. I’m setting an alarm on my phone to start said block of time. But I also wonder if I should be writing at different times of day or changing up the scenery.
I remember a time in my writing life when writing was like an itch I had to scratch, when I was up until 2 a.m. at my desktop computer on the kitchen table, sneaking writing at work, or before a big exam.
I don’t exactly understand what changed or when writing became something I had to schedule. Now I have oceans of time and I have to frog-march myself into my ergonomic workstation.
Today my writing alarm went off, and I felt this little spark of excitement, a tiny proof of life.
Hope.
Thanks for sharing your process. Community really does help.
Peace,
R.C.
Hi Rhianna,
Thanks for sharing this with me. I don’t know what happens when we get hesitant about our writing like you’re describing. I’ve sure experienced it too. I read a really good piece in this month’s Poets & Writers magazine by Sarah Ruhl, “Writer’s Block–Variations on a superstition,” in which she gives us 13 different takes on this, um, circumstance (?) situation (?).
For our sakes–you and me–I hope we find a comfortable niche for ourselves and our writing–time(s) and place(s). I was glad to read that when your writing alarm went off, you felt that little spark of excitement.
Here’s to tiny sparks!
Keep me posted and thanks again for connecting.
Judy
Hi Judy, thanks for your sharing. I appreciated hearing of your process and how you are in review. I am only just beginning my writing journey and am plagued by queries all the time. Does it matter? Am I doing it right? How long for? What do I use to write? Reading your post appeased my concerns. It was comforting to hear that perhaps this is okay? That writing as a creative process needs to shift and change, as we do, as our life does? Thanks, Libby
Hi Libby,
Thanks so much for writing. I’m excited for you to be at the beginning of what I hope will be a long and rewarding journey into the writing life. Like you, like so many of us, I have questions, too. “Is it any good?” “Do I know what the heck I’m doing here?” “I ‘should’ spend more time writing.” “I ‘should’ have a more realistic deadline.” on and on, ad infinitum… I dont’ think the questions ever go away. One reason my writing friends and community is so important to me. To know I’m not the only one.
Sending you all best wishes. And do keep me posted on how it goes for you.
I always find it interesting how differently we writers work. I admire your lovely morning routine – it sounds wonderful! The problem I face is kind of the opposite. Once I’m in the midst of a book project, no matter if it’s a first draft or final edits, it becomes all-consuming. You can check with my hubby on this fact. I have trouble NOT writing. Instead I have to force myself to stop writing long enough to pay bills, do laundry, dishes, etc. etc. So I’m writing every chance I get in the morning, afternoon and late into the night when I should be in bed. If I’m not writing, my mind is still there working. Maybe that’s what I need in order to be immersed into the story. Or maybe I’m escaping into my fictional world – as I did when younger and constantly reading a book. ;0) But I’ve learned to go with the flow and fortunately my family understands!
Hi Indy, Thanks for your note. You remind me of my friend Dian who does the same thing–when she’s writing, she’s writing! I envy you that and lucky you with a family of creatives who know what it’s like to be one.
Can’t wait to read your newest!
Happy New Year! Here’s to another year of writing and writing community.
Judy, This is a great post to start off the year. My prime writing time is in the morning so I try to capture my words then. And you know where I am when I do it.
Thanks, Jill and yes I do know where you are when you do it. And you do it so well. I’ve been wondering what you’ve been writing or noodling around with since you sent off the manuscript. Looking forward to catching up with you and all your doings.
I think this too is a wonderful topic for discussion Tuesday! I haven’t written enough to fill a bubblegum wrapper in the past four weeks! Argh.
Hi Marilyn,
we’ll have so much to talk about on Tuesday (tomorrow). Listen, I read your blog; I understand why you haven’t been at your desk. But what rich stores of stories you have now. You’re always such a good rememberer of details. (Remember those bubblegum wrappers that had cartoons inside?)
Thanks for writing here.
Hi Judy
Happy New Year!
I wish I did have a set time to write but I’m not disciplined in that way, unfortunately. When I regularly wrote articles for a number of monthly magazines I had a dead lines to focus on and that was the motivational drive. But since then I’ve been in a relaxed mode, but not necessarily uncreative. As I mention before, even when I’m not writing, I’m still writing – I’m looking, observing, focussing, filtering, feeling, evaluating, etc, etc…all part of a creative, accumulative process that find expression further down the line….
“ To awaken to words – to their aura, colour, temperature, vibrancy, speed, weight, bulk, valence – we must awaken to ourselves.”
GAIL SHER
Happy writing days Judy…..
Thank you for this, Michael. I was thinking about this very thing during my walk in Balboa Park today. A lovely San Diego winter day of 70 degrees and sunshine and passing so many people who had earbuds in, listening to whatever. I do have some books and podcasts I’d like to listen to, but I’m unwilling to give up the real life of the park and its sensory offerings.
Thank you too, for another Gail Sher quote. What a inspiration her words have been to me.
Sending all best wishes for a fine New Year.
Hi Judy,
I had to take my blood pressure at random times every couple of days for a few weeks and in so doing found afternoons to be my quietest and calmest time. Not mornings like I thought in fact that is when BP is highest and when I have most energy and jump around-ness. Regardless whether I get up at 2 AM (insanity prevails) or 4 AM (normal) I can NOT sit still much as I think
if I am up why not work! I cannot feel all cuddly about rolling the pen across a full notebook of paper until afternoon. Amen.
Not only that but if I tell myself I am going to do something, that is an order and I don’t follow those well. So I just do it like I do housework, by accident. And it gets done that way since I seem to have lots of those.
Your office looks too perfect. Ya gotta mess it up a bit, Judy. Heeee!
Linda G.
Hi Linda,
My pal Drusilla always talked about doves and owls. She was a morning person like you (2 am????) but I’m an owl and stay up late then need to sleep in a bit later. A start time of 7:30 or, more often, 8 am is when you’ll find me with my first coffee. Do you really think 4 am is “normal?” You are a dove!
Oh and PS, that “office” is my kitchen table–a staged photo.
Happy New Year, Linda. Let’s do it again, shall we?
I love to sit and rest in the content of my night dreams. After writing down the dream, I find that I am more open to the consciousness below the surface of the dream content for writing, since my left brain hasn’t kicked in. And then if there is more to come through during the day, I am able to drop back into that space since there is a foundation already in place.
If I don’t give myself that time in the morning, it is harder for me to find that open space where the deeper unfoldings appear.
Hi Eileen, thanks for your comment and reminding me about writing the night dream first thing in the journal. Interesting what you noted about being able to drop back into that deeper space throughout the day.
Happy new year.