What a treat for the jungle writers! Carly wrote this blog for another site, but it was so apropos of what we do here on Saturday, she volunteered to post it here. So without further ado…
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A Writer’s (Evolving) Schedule
First Published at: Sia McKye’s Thoughts … OVER COFFEE July 2009
I’m often asked what’s the best part about being a writer? Easy answer. Making my own schedule. What’s the worst part? Also making my own schedule. As a stay at home mom with two girls (now 17 and 13), I’ve learned to be adaptable. I started to write when my first daughter was just one. I needed to learn to write when she napped or occupied herself (hah!). Luckily, I’ve always been a person who needed background noise to write. In high school, later college and law school, radio or TV would keep me company. In fact, silence is too noisy for me! Over the years, I kept up quite the writing pace – at times – 4 Harlequin Temptations a year. I must have written through many distractions!
When I started writing single title romances, starting with The Bachelor, the length and complexity brought me to two books a year. Although this was still the word count equivalent to the four Temptations. But I definitely started to slow down. Hit more blocks. I used to think that when the newness of the career wore off, sometimes it became more like work than love. But then I’d realized that no matter how hard the stories were to write, I still loved what I do. But I found myself in a new pattern – writing less in the beginning of a deadline, scrambling more towards the end. I realize now this isn’t so much a function of laziness or wasting time (OK well there is SOME of that) but beginnings are more difficult for me than middles and endings.
In the beginning, I’m establishing character, motivation, conflict and story. I often find myself going back and weaving in something big that should have been there all along. For awhile this was frustrating. I thought it was because I didn’t pre-plan enough. But as the Plotmonkey group evolved (we go away as a group 2 times a year to plot), I WAS getting the pre-plotting work and still struggling through beginnings. So I now accept, this is my process. The beginning is slow and requires reworking and revising a lot; and the middle and ends go much faster.
With this new process, I needed a new schedule. I could no longer rely on “writing when I can.” It’s funny. I thought when my kids got older, I’d write more. Instead I found myself writing less. That’s when I realized something had to change. And it did.
Janelle is not only my plotmonkey pal, she’s also my critique partner. And friend. We talk for hours every day. She lives in Oregon; I live in NY. We both have girls the same age. And we both hit the same scheduling issues at the same time. We decided to try something: We “meet” online (via AIM) at 9 AM EST; 6 PM PST (yes this requires more dedication on her end as she has to wake up very early!) – we say hi on AIM (Instant Messenger). Janelle sets the alarm for 30 minutes, and we write straight through. When the time is up, she IM’s and asks if I’m up for 30 more. We do this for an hour – an hour and a half. I no longer book 9 AM doctor or hair appointments. I try to ignore (thanks to Caller ID) calls that can wait. When possible, nothing else happens until I’m finished at 10:30/11:00 AM. Yes, occasionally life gets in the way. Pages don’t happen. But I always pick up and start over the next day at 9 AM.
We’ve been at this since March. When I started I was on page 80 and now I’m on 250. I will meet my deadline, yes with a rush towards the end, but my goal for the next book is to start with this scheduling and write daily. If I keep it up, I may turn in a book early (as opposed to just on time) for the first time in years. And I may end up relaxed throughout the process.
One can always hope!
The point in sharing this is to tell you that life isn’t static. It’s chaos and change. The days when I used to plan an entire day to write, one of the kids would get sick. When I had only a spare hour, I’d crank out pages. Over time, not only did I need to adapt but I needed more routine. For now, I have that. I’m sure over time, this schedule will need to morph into something different as my life’s needs change. But having seen the value in daily writing – it comes faster; easier; more consistent flow – I want to continue.
So if you’re not writing the way you’d like, take a look at your life and your schedule. See where you can make changes and PROTECT THE WORK (rumor has it this phrase comes from Nora – not surprising – and I thank her for it!). If you don’t mark your work time as sacred, no one else will!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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I don’t even write fiction, but so much of this could be applied to my university level essays so that I’m not stressing at the last minute. Thanks ladies.
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:taz: I wish I could get the people in my life to adhere to my schedule…UGH! To my grandmother, my schedule means little. She calls I am expected to be there. I try to ignore some of her calls
but in the end if I don’t answer she will call me several times and then start calling others to see where I am of if I am okay. Okay so I am a type one diabetic and in the past I have had a lot of trouble with my blood sugars dropping really low really quick (So low so fast I needed EMS here to take me to the hospital but it has been years and now my meds are better in line to prevent this problem) but the main reason she calls to get me to run her here os there (She is 83 and doesn’t drive & I am the only one available to her) So yeah I feel sometimes I NEED to be there for her.
I know I should tell her that between this time and that I need to be left alone to write but somehow it never gets said in fear of making her think I don’t care. Am I wrong? I don’t know. I try to write in the mornings after the hubby is gone to work and everyone else is busy either sleeping or going to work. Sometimes I can write all day with little or no interruptions but those days are rare. 
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I think my biggest problem is – I still think of this as a hobby. I’m a stay at home mom with a 6 & 2 yr old and yes, I write(visit blogs) during the youngest’s naps
This will change I tell myself but somehow I don’t feel justified putting other things on the back burner for writing. When I take myself seriously, which I’m building up to – thus the blogs and getting in touch with other writers, I won’t backpeddle anymore. I WILL WRITE !
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Good morning jungle buddies and my beloved
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Welcome to the jungle Carly…it is so great to have you here…I am sure that you will have fun swinging in the vines with us here…
Okay, okay, I will stop playing around.
Carly I am so excited that you are blogging today. The topic is one that I have been struggling with, scheduling time to write. I just didn’t know where to begin. I thought I would write when I could, but then as you stated life gets in the way, so I was going to try the daily writing. Now, I just have to figure out time. It is awesome the you and Janelle go through this process together.
The real issue I have is that I haven’t figured out my process yet. Right now, I write what I feel, then I would go back and tie it all together. I will figure it out eventually though.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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See? We all have such similar issues, but we feel so alone with them! I get this.
Lyn, protect the work applies to anything you must get done – college essays too! :)
Patsy, completely understandable how you feel – Try: “Grandma, I love you and I appreciate how much you worry about me, so I want you to know between X time and Y time, if I don’t answer the phone, this is why. And I promise to call you as soon as I am finished and check in.” Give her an exact time and stick to it! I hope it helps :)
Ban, I started writing when my 17 year old daughter was 1! Sometimes nap time IS the only time that’s yours – so protect THAT. As they get older, the times will grow!
Good luck, Paula. Only you can figure out your process but once you do, protect it like crazy!
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Thanks Carly….I am learning…pretty soon things will settle down and I will be able to figure things out…have a great rest of the day everyone…I will swing by later…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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So interresting ! Am I the only one to think “I had no idea…” ??
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I totally agree about “protect the work”. This is applies to me at my job. However I wish people at work could see that their work needs to be saved.
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I love reading about how authors work writing into their everyday lives. I’m still a reader only, but I figure all my reading is getting me ready for when I’m ready to start writing.
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Carly, it’s so nice to have you guest blogging today! I love hearing about your process. it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who struggles.
Lately, my only excuse for not digging in and writing has been my own self doubts.
I am great at multi-tasking. I have to be. I have a 17 year old special needs daughter who is actually very independent but still. You know teenagers. I can make dinner, take my daughter to her skating lesson, do laundry and write all at the same time. Recently, I got myself a timer. I set it for 20 minutes and write until it goes off–no matter what I put fingers to keyboard. I write in the car while she’s skating.
I’m also reading every current Blaze I can get my hands on because I’m ready to pound out that Blaze for Brenda. I have my blurb and brief characterization that she approved but like Carly the beginnings are crucial for me. The first three chapters have to be “write” or I can’t move on.
And I have to remember to keep the story about the sex. If they aren’t engaged in sex they need to be thinking about having it. It’s a struggle but I am determined to make this work. Of course when it comes time to send her those first 100 pages I don’t know if I will have the guts to hit the send key or not.
BTW, “Protect the Work” came from Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
Cher
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I too have a daughter, who BTW turned 20 on the 10th, with special needs. In her first 16 years she had 14 surgeries and even now needs more but she says NO. She is unable to live totally alone so she lives in an apartment we built in the back for her. She is in and out of our house all day. Which makes for distractions. I too write while sitting in the car waiting for Gma or Mother in law to finish what ever it is that I took them to do. The first two chapters of the manuscript I am working on right now were completed in my handy dandy notebook while sitting in the Wal Mart parking lot!
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Patsy, it’s nice to connect with another parent of a special needs child. Our daughter is truly a gift to us. She has taught me the meaning of courage and perseverance. Our girl has more heart and more guts than anyone I know. I need to remember that the next time I sit down to write.
The 20 minute thing really does work. Now If I can just get rid of all those self doubts!
Cher
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I know the feeling about the daughter AND the writing too! My daughter writes on a fan fiction site online and was nominated for best hetro couple romance last Dec she was like 10th out of 300 names submitted. I am proud of her. They only took the top 25 noms submitted. She has quite a following although I have not read any, because it makes her subconscious if I read her works so I respect her wishes and don’t peek but that doesn’t keep her from looking over my shoulder! LOL
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Big congrats to your daughter!! 10 out of 300 is awesome!!!
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I loved this article, Carly! It was informative and encouraging. I especially appreciated leaving a window open with a writing friend. It’s a nice way to encourage one another, and we need that sometimes, to stay on schedule.
Of course, I’m a bit partial, as I get to enjoy the fruits of your labor, lol! In fact, I’m enjoying one really juicy one now. :-)
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I loved your article Carly. I find it very interesting to read about your process. I understand how life can get in the way of your writing. I have four children that I homeschool- ‘nough said!
Then it is on to cleaning and cooking. I am very lucky to have children that understand the value of helping mom. My husband also helps and incourages me to write. Infact he says today I should take the entire day to do “my thing”. The only problem I have is much like yours-the beginning.
My current WIP is my first so I am still figuring out my process. After reading your article it left me with the question of how you and your friends plot. Do you take out a notebook and write down all you ideas or draw story boards or what? I get so wrapped up in the pre-planning phase that I feel I am choking myself before I can even begin.
Thanks for such a great article to enjoy my coffee with. Have a fabulous Saturday Carly,
Vecia
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Through my online RWA Chapter I belong to a group that used to work like you and Janelle. We’d get together in a chat room and encourage each other to write. We’d chat for a few minutes at the top of the hour and then we’d write for 50-55 minutes.
But there are so many new members who come in and want to chat, and not do the writing part. Or, they want us to figure out their GMC and plot for them and then they duck out of the room, that we hardly go in there anymore.
It worked really well when we first started doing that so maybe we need to figure out a way to start it up again. And figure out how to protect our work in the process!
I’m also glad to know that the beginnings work for you like they do. I’m working on a new story and I’ve plotted and planned and know these characters inside and out but the beginning is going so painfully slow for me. Glad to know it’s like that for even someone like you, Carly!!
Have a great weekend, everyone!!
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I AM going to stick to that 9am schedule with you guys! The little “sprint” we did the other day really helped a lot!
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Wow so busy today!
Patsy, tell hubby NO looking over your shoulder!
Cher, SEP said it, huh? Well she’s my idol so that makes sense!
Patsy, congrats to your daughter!
Yep we moms have to learn to multi-task but you and Cher, more so~ Here’s to you!
4 kids, Talina? You rock! You deserve me time to write.
Hi, Sia. thanks for encouraging me to write this article in the first place!
Alannah, clearly the original group needs to branch out and continue what you started as a “group” like we have!
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Oh I was going to mention that one of my new puppies is named for a SEP character Bruno from Match Me if You Can the other puppy is named Rudy after the one and only Rudolph Valentino :dogrun:
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Thanks for sharing what’s working for you Carly! I’ve been struggling lately with a writing schedule – summertime is hard – but I feel inspired now to get in even 30 minutes a day. I do find it much easier to keep writing when I’m actually writing on a regular basis.
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I am amazed at the dedication you all demonstrate in getting
your writing done. I am distracted too easily when I’m doing
anything like publicity notices for our church projects. There’s
breaking news on the TV or I discover that I’m hungry and stop
for a little bite to eat. Two hours later, I return to my project!
I could never be an author.
Pat Cochran