Saturday Question & Chit-Chat
Q: How do you write when your life and things around you aren’t cooperating?
JEL: Sometimes, I don’t. Honestly, sometimes I have to say, “Uncle” and just deal with life. Writing can be such an emotionally exhausting career, that the body and mind can only take so much. However, at other times, writing can be a refuge from life’s insanity. In my books, everyone listens to me and does what I say (well, sort of.) I have control. It all depends on where I am on a book. If I’m working hard and on a roll, it’s hard to stop me. It’s when I give myself too many breaks that it’s hard to get back to the discipline.
CP: What Julie said. But sometimes you take so much time for life, that you are more crunched than you want to be or can afford to be. Then saying “Uncle” is no longer an option. Sometimes I lay up panicked but I’m just too tired and wiped out to write. Then you have to find a way to get back to it, because it’s a job and you must. The good news is that usually when I get back to it, I can find the flow and have fun again. It’s the getting back to it that can be challenging and there is no answer for that except BICHOK. (BUTT IN CHAIR, HANDS ON KEYBOARD).
JD: Unfortuantely, when life is crazy, I don’t write. And that’s not good. I’ve been trying to set a daily schedule for my writing, but haven’t found anything that works! If anyone has any tips on writing on a daily schedule, please share! Also, if you’re looking for inspiration when it comes to writing every day, no matter what, you need to read the “Writers on Writing” column in the August issue of the Romance Writer’s report that features Nora Roberts and her writing habits. This woman is a dynamo, and the article is motivating and inspiring. In fact, think I need to go reread it again! LOL.
LK:: Umm…somebody, when you figure out the answer to this, let me know, okay? Like Janelle, when life is crazy, I don’t write either. And my life has been so crazy for so long that I’m getting nothing done. But since I’m moving next week, I HOPE that will soon be coming to an end! Please keep your fingers crossed for me, okay?
It’s so different from having a 9 to 5 job isnt it? When you have to go to an office, you are there, so you do your work. Trying to be creative just doesn’t always lend itself to normal hours and everyone else’s schedule. I don’t know how you guys do it, and such a great job of it too.
Writing papers when I went back to school was hard enough. I would find a high cliff if I had to write a book. Kudos to you.
Comment by ev — August 19, 2006 @ 9:27 am
Even knowing some of you I still didn’t think that you had problems writing sometime. It give me much hope as a still unpub to know that you guys face the same things that I do (of course you much more disciplined that I am at this point)
I remember the Margie Dawson workshop that we had and she told us to use the timer. To put on the timer x amount of time that we could surf the net, answer emails, read the blogs, etc. She suggested, if I remember correctly, 15 minutes but no more than 30 minutes. Then she said to set the timer for 30 minutes (again, not sure if that was the exact time) and work on the wip. You can add more time to it at any time and if you are on a roll and it goes off just keep going. The main thing for the timer everday was to make sure that you gave yourself at least sometime in the chair.
Regardless, I think you guys are the best and you always amaze me with your stories.
Comment by Vicki — August 19, 2006 @ 9:38 am
Leslie, Does your upcoming move mean that you have finally sold your FLA home & are making the move to MD? If so, congrats & good luck with what would seem to be a massive move.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — August 19, 2006 @ 10:06 am
Leslie, I was thinking what Patricia A said!? If so, yey! You have my empathy and sympathy, trust me.
I was pregnant, had two little boys, but hubby’s company moved us (packed us up, moved us, didn’t have to do a thing, just make sure breakables went with me!). I just had to deal with driving the remainder of us 4 hours (sounds like not an easy feat, but trust me, I got by EASY!).
Comment by katie — August 19, 2006 @ 10:15 am
Great question! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who has trouble with this! I had to stop writing for awhile (nearly a year) when an illness in the family came up. There was just no way I could do it all, but luckily I had the support of both my agent and then editor.
I’m trying to get better at carving out time every day, setting daily writing goals, tracking what I get done, etc, but it’s hard. I’ll be honest. If I don’t have a deadline, it doesn’t get done. And even then that doesn’t always work.
I remember Nora Roberts talking about discipline at a conference years ago. And I think that’s what I need to work on, being disciplined about my writing output.
Comment by Melissa Mc — August 19, 2006 @ 10:16 am
love knowing I’m not the only one who can’t always keep life AND writing straight …
Comment by Jill — August 19, 2006 @ 10:26 am
You know, there is a difference between discipline and insanity. Seriously, there are simply times when you have to give your brain a break. Now as much as it sounds like none of us write when life is crazy, we all somehow manage to meet our deadlines (with a few extensions here and there). That’s just part of the business. I remember busting my you-know-what to finish a book to make it on deadline just to see the book moved back seven months in the schedule because of other reasons. I’ve decided that publication is a partnership and just as I couldn’t get upset because my publisher’s schedule changed, they can’t get mad at me if three hurricanes in a row come through my state and I’m a little behind on things.
But I do try to write a certain amount every day, either in pages or time. This is a tough question to answer when I’m starting a new book because that’s the time I futz around the most as I’m learning about the characters.
Comment by Julie Leto — August 19, 2006 @ 12:16 pm
have a nice weekend
Comment by kim h — August 19, 2006 @ 12:26 pm
Comment by yolanda — August 19, 2006 @ 1:57 pm
The more I learn about an author writing the more I respect & admire all of you for your creativity, drive & wonderful books that we have to read. :love2: I am always amazed that you write these books, handle your family & all the other things life tends to throw at us. If you are working at a job you leave the house everyday, work 8 hours, go home, do dinner, laundry, etc., but if your job is writing you are there (at home) & there must be times that everything is distracting & other times if the story is flowing that you just leave that earthly place–figuratively speaking!!!
I hope that made some sort of sense!!! 
Have a great weekend. Thanks for more insight into an authors life.
Comment by Donna M — August 19, 2006 @ 2:44 pm
I don’t think I could handle life and writing too.
Comment by Estella Kissell — August 19, 2006 @ 3:09 pm
I was just thinking how much easier it probably is for those of us who don’t write. Most of us leave the house to go to our jobs, and what we do for a living is usually there for us, waiting. Meaning we don’t have to wait for it to come to us, or to be struck with inspiration. I’m a loan officer, so my work comes to me. People come to see me specifically - I really don’t have to wait around for work LOL.
Do any of you have the luxury of leaving your home for some type of office, where the distractions are minimal and it’s all about focusing on your job? Maybe it’s a tax write-off(?)
Comment by Stacy ~ — August 19, 2006 @ 7:53 pm
Authors have my utmost respect, because they don’t have the luxury of an office outside of the home, so they are always there when everything goes wrong……….thanks for another insight into the life of a writer………all the books that you all put out makes it so lucky for the reader………
Comment by Cryna — August 19, 2006 @ 8:52 pm
You guys are so great and so supportive. You have no idea how much your words will help get us through the rough times.
But a lot of what you said reminded me that I used to, when the distractions got too overwhelming, pack up my laptop and head to my family’s business. They had an unoccupied office in the back (now being used by interns, darn it) that I could hole up in. I had wireless, but no phone, no mounds of laundry, no dog who has to go chase squirrels every fifteen minutes, no…well, stuff. I could write without anyone bothering me.
Hmmm…I might have to make a little noise and get my office back!
Comment by Julie Leto — August 19, 2006 @ 8:56 pm
Hi Guys!
I want to say first that I love all your books and I have the highest respect for your talents!
As for the question, I have a trick that maybe… you could apply it somehow to your work in writing a book. I am an artist. I love all things creative. I work on 2 or 3 projects at a time. O.k. here is my trick. When a job seems very overwhelming, like when I have to get something done by a deadline, I start with the easiest part first.
Then when I get to the harder stuff, I realize I have so much more time to devote to it because I had all ready spent the time laying down the groundwork on the easy stuff in the project. I set a time everyday, yes, everyday, that I will sit down and work.
I tell myself, just a half an hour here, then a half an hour there, will all add up to the completed project. I keep at it. I get my favorite drinks, my favorite music, sometimes sweet smelling candles, anything to get me in the mood so I can focus and be creative to get the juices/ideas flowing.
You know what? This way of thinking is hard at first but it sure works for me. Just carve out that time, whether it’s in the morning, noon, eve, late at night. I personally do my best work late at night. My creative ideas flow so much better when I am alone and a little tired. My brush flows, my arms flow, and the ideas just flow forth so much better.
The trick is to get you into that mindset. Discipline yourself and then stick to that schedule. That’s all there is to it.
I sure hope my trick works for you even though I don’t write. Sometimes hearing from another part of the sprectrum in the work force can help. I am a passionate reader though. So, part of my creative ideas come from books.
Comment by michele l. — August 20, 2006 @ 12:30 am
Michele! Thanks so much for sharing your personal experiences. How cool that you are an artist! I love art, but couldn’t paint a stick figure. But man, I can spend hours in galleries and museums! I do spend hours! One of my greatest joys is buying art. My husband and I bought a beautiful giclee (sp) from an artist we met while in Hawaii. Fabulous.
What you describe is very similar to my layering technique, which is where you put down the aspect of the story you do best, usually dialogue. I can use the technique when I’m into a book, but it’s very hard before the first three chapters are done…I don’t know the characters well enough to “hear” them.
But your post was an excellent reminder. I haven’t used the technique in a while because the last few months, I’ve been writing nothing but proposals. Now that I’m writing an actual book, it’s time to take it out of my toolbox. Excellent! Thanks!
Comment by Julie Leto — August 20, 2006 @ 8:00 am
Your welcome Julie!
I can see now the problems writers face. I have heard that the first three chapters are the hardest to write. I can imagine hitting mind blocks is a common occurence. Along with life getting in the way, that sure doesn’t help any either. I even have problems with that also.
I go to church, pray, listen to calming music, exercise, and enjoy nature when life gets to overwhelming. Everybody has their own tricks to get them by until life flows smoothly again.
God bless. Have a fantastic Sunday! I hope this is the start for an excellent week for you!
Comment by michele l. — August 20, 2006 @ 11:04 am
Holy cow, Leslie. I’m moving next week too!
Boston to Dallas. Looong drive.
I’ll be thinking ’bout cha.
Comment by Heather Harper — August 20, 2006 @ 8:31 pm