Plot Monkeys

I’m so excited to have debut author, Marley Gibson, aka Kate Harmon, here today with us in the jungle. I’ve known Marley for a long time and she is one of the friendliest, bubbliest, smartest and entertaining people I know. She’s very generous…and helped me quite a bit when I was writing DIRTY LITTLE LIES, which was set in Boston, where Marley lives. I am so thrilled that her books are finally about to hit the stands and the Plotmonkeys are all very grateful for her fabulous craft topic today! Welcome, Marley!

Finding…No, Making the Time to Write
by Marley Gibson

Many, many thanks to the wonderful Plotmonkeys for inviting me to blog here with them. I appreciate the invitation to pay forward some of my writing knowledge and experience.

Ever since my books, SORORITY 101: ZETA OR OMEGA? and SORORITY 101: THE NEW SISTERS, written under the name Kate Harmon, hit shelves at the beginning of this month, there has been one question that everyone seems to like to ask me:

“Does this mean you’re going to quit your day job?”

My answer is a simple, “Umm…no.”

Eyebrows scrunch. Mouths fall open. “But why? You have books out now.”

Yes. And I’ll have more out next year. My own series under my name.

I’ve been writing seriously for publication since 2001 and have never once considered quitting my day job. Through the past seven years, I have written consistently and found the time to hone my craft, attend conferences, read online workshops, participate in writing groups…and still commute into Boston to do my 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. job.

You see…I don’t find time for my writing, I make time for my writing.

Remember that old saying, “You make time for the things you want to do.” Well, it’s true. And writing is no different. If you’ve always wanted to sit down and write a book, but can’t seem to find the time, ask yourself what is keeping you from writing:

1. Do you fear failing?
2. Is it writer’s block/not knowing what to write?
3. Do you procrastinate?
4. Do you not have a special place to write?
5. Can you not stick to a schedule?
6. Are there too many distractions?

Now, before anyone starts arguing about the lists of myriad things one has to do during the day, I want to just give a snapshot of my daily routine:

5:50 a.m. Hubby wakes me up
5:51 a.m. I go back to sleep
6:00 a.m. Set the alarm clock to wake me up at 6:13 a.m.
6:13 a.m. Finally rouse myself and get going
6:13 – 7:10 a.m. Getting showered, dried, makeup’d, and dressed for the work day

(Let me not here that while I’m getting ready, my hubby, who works full-time as a network systems administrator for Uncle Sam, works on websites for clients that he does on the time. Ahh ha…see, he’s making time to work on websites!)

7:10 – 8:00 a.m. Commute eight (8) miles in Boston traffic, trying not to yell at, flip off, or maim any fellow commuters
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Work pretty darn hard at my job at a multi billion dollar asset manager

(Please note: I do not sell said assets, rather, I’m an executive assistant/meeting planner supporting two executive vice presidents, three vice presidents, three managers, and over fifty (50) sales people doing meetings, events, schedules, travel, expenses, payment requests, office supplies and other general “mother hen” duties for some wonderful, yet needy, people.)

12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. Lunch with my friends or if I’m in the blood fever of writing a book, I put my headphones on (very loud Dance, House, or Trance music) and write for forty five minutes to an hour)
1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Back to work
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Commute said eight (8) miles home with hubby, reviewing day’s activities
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. When writing a book, this is when I edit/review what was written at lunch time and I’ll work on adding more.
8:00 – until Cook dinner (I love to cook!), watch TV, take/make phone calls, IM with writing friends, catch up with hubby, bedtime

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

See, I’m your average schmuck, living in the big city, commuting, working, and trying to make ends meet just like everyone else. The day job is great, with fun people who are easy to work with and I’m appreciated in my role. It’s good money that helps pay the mortgage, and, let’s face it, Boston isn’t a cheap city to live in. A job is a necessary thing. So, just like my hubby has to make time to work on his clients’ websites (http://www.constantimage.com), I make time to make my writing dream a reality.

Now, if you’re serious about being a writer, but you’re convinced that life is just too much in the way for you to actually sit down at the computer and get going, well, here are some things to that can help you find the time to make that story idea a reality:

* If at all possible, write the synopsis out so you have a road map of where you’re going. Try to see your full story as a movie in your head from opening theme song to roll credits. If you’ve got a clear picture of what happens through your character’s journey, then you’re sort of just the transcriber for what you see in your head, describing the story and choosing the right words and phrases.

* Set a realistic goal of a certain amount of pages per day or week.

* Pace yourself by writing a chapter a week.

* If it helps, use a soundtrack. Find the perfect CDs or iTunes or internet radio station to get you in the mood. Something that won’t distract, but will help get you going.

* Lighten up on yourself. Give yourself the freedom to write when the urge strikes, and not write when you don’t feel like it. That’s one of the attractive things about the popular conception of the writing life, right? So enjoy it!

* Write in bursts instead of long sessions, if that helps. Fifteen minutes here or there might make a big difference.

* Schedule appointments with yourself to write in your Outlook, Palm Pilot, BlackBerry or simply on your calendar. Keep this appointment like you would any doctor’s or haircutter’s appointment. Do it over and over.

* Start a small support group with your trusted writer friends. This is where you bitch, moan, complain about what’s troubling you writing-wise, but it’s also where you post your goals and report in on your successes.

* Keep track of your writing activities. Make a chart or graph that keeps a running tally of how much time is spent on your craft. Update it monthly. . . and then yearly.

* Have a contest or challenge with your writer friends. Toss a $20 into a pot and whoever gets the most written, wins.

* Quit worrying “is it going to sell?” Just write it! Quit hashing over reading and analyzing deals and what everyone else is selling and focus on your story. You’re not competing with anyone but yourself.

* Of course, some people are pantsers. So don’t write a synopsis at all. Just let your fingers do the walking on the keys. Shut your eyes, turn off the elves of self doubt and just do it.

* Revise your goals every day and keep track of your accomplishments.

* Step away from the television. With the innovation of TiVo and DVR, you don’t have to be in front of the TV at 9:00 p.m. ET to see Grey’s Anatomy. You can watch it when it’s convenient for you. Use that slot to carve out some writing time. Or, decide which programs you can live without then use that time to write.

* Write on a computer that has no e-mail, no games, no distractions. Use e-mail or surfing as a reward for writing. “I’ll write one page and then check my e-mail.” Use the internet only for research purposes. And no, www.pogo.com is NOT a research site.

* When you meet a goal, treat yourself. Have a reward system in place for each stage of your writing. Always celebrate writing “The End” with something sparkly.

* Read. Read. Read. Nothing inspires a writer more than reading a good (or bad) book. But don’t read so much that you’re not writing.

* Carry a note pad or tape recorder with you wherever you go to jot down ideas, titles, characters, descriptions, witty banter or dialogue. You’ll be surprised what you can forget when something else grabs your attention.

* Design your writing space. Whether it’s snuggled on the couch with a laptop, around the corner at Starbuck’s, or in the spare bedroom that you’ve set up as an office. Find your unique writing space that not only inspires you, but keeps you focused.

* Quit over thinking everything and just focus on the writing.

* Try not to edit while you go along or nit-pick your writing to death. Just belch out that first draft and get it done.

* Schedule time for research and adventure that will refresh your writer’s well and get you ready for that time in front of the keyboard. Go to the library. Sit in the park. People watch. Observe. Listen.

* Test drive different times of day that work for you to be the most productive. If you work, utilize your lunch hour. If you’re at home and the kids are at school, use that time. Find what works the best for you.

* After accomplishing your goals (small or large), take time for yourself. The writer’s well needs to remain full and that means eating right, sleeping, getting exercise and plenty of water. Grab a couple of writer friends and go to lunch or head out for a yoga session.

* Aromatherapy can be an inspirational help. Some people find that having certain scents around them fuel their creativity. Put out some potpourri. Light a candle. Spray Febreez.

* Writer’s weekend. Tell your family you’re going to be writing, cook ahead of time, tell friends you’re going to be out of touch. . . whatever it takes. Just escape into your story and characters and immerse yourself in the world you’re building. People WILL get along without you.

* Recruit your roommate, children and/or spouse to help around the house/chores/cooking/cleaning.

* Keep a grocery list running all the time to save time when shopping.

* Take advantage of companies like www.homebistro.com and other online food services that prepare meals for easy preparation.

* Don’t be so rushed in the mornings by picking out clothes the night before, making lunches ahead of time and having the diaper bag read to go.

* Accept help from friends and family. Offer to name a character in your book after them or to not disclose their terrible secrets in your novels if they help.

* Wake up fifteen minutes earlier and use that time productively to plot or do journaling – such as suggested in The Artist’s Way.

* If you’re a commuter, use the time on the train to read, research, edit or write. Alphasmarts and small laptops are ideal for commuting time.

* If you’re taking the kids to the doctor or soccer practice, bring a notepad and a pen to jot down ideas or a few pages of your chapter.

* Call your voice mail and leave messages, reminders, and ideas. Or use a tape recorder.

* Take your lunch break at work. Slip away for quiet time to edit, plot and work on your story while eating your lunch.

* Keep a notebook beside your bed in case an idea hits you in the middle of the night.

* Keep a notebook in the bathroom, too! What?

And here are some more tips from my friend and critique partner, Wendy Toliver, mother of three young boys and published author:

* Hire a mommy’s helper to give you some personal time. Budget how much you can afford and then use that time wisely. Don’t waste it on the phone or on e-mails. That is your writing time while the kids are occupied

* Work out plotting problem or brainstorm ideas while you’re doing laundry, dishes, sitting in a boring meeting, watching your kids play – something that doesn’t take 100% brainpower.

* Here’s a good one: round up one or two other kids into a playgroup, where you have all the kids one day a week and take them to the park or library, then you have a day or two where your kid goes to their house. They’ll entertain themselves and think you’re the coolest mom ever!

* The key is to get your kids doing something entertaining, safe, and not too messy so you can keep an eye on them but still squeeze out some writing time. It’s the easiest with newborns and school-aged kids (in my experience).

* Learn to say NO, one of Oprah’s messages is all too true for busy moms who want to write. It gets easier the more you do it. And if you have too much on your plate, gracefully bow out of something. It might be hard at first but you’ll probably be thankful in the near future when you’re staring at a deadline and you think to yourself, “I would have had to be sewing forty ballerina costumes right now.”

* Take care of YOU. You can’t be a good mother, wife, or writer if you ignore your needs. Take time to nourish your mind and body. Don’t stay up all night every night and eat junk food and forget to exercise or get fresh air. It will come back and bite you hard.

* And remember, your kids are only young once. Don’t skip out on birthday parties, family vacations, holidays, and other family traditions to write. When you’re with your kids and husband, give them your all. They’ll be much happier about letting you write sometimes if you’re a blast to be around when they do get to hang out with you.

* Crock pots. They’re a godsend. And with the liners, there’s no cleanup! Easy-to-make snacks are helpful too. Designate a night pizza night.

So, if you’re dying to know “Are you going to quit the day job?” I say…nope. Why would I? As long as I can stay organized and keep everything at work in place and stay on deadline with my books, I’ll work as long as I can. Now, if I become the next Meg Cabot or J.K. Rowling, well…

I hope you find these tips useful in getting you in the chair writing. Remember, you can talk about writing all day and night until you’re blue in the face and until the cows come home. However, if you aren’t actually putting words to paper (or computer screen), you’re not a writer. Make the time for your dream to become a reality!

Marley Gibson grew up in a southern town very much like the fictional ones she writes about, where she participated in varsity cheerleading, marching band, honor society, SGA, and served three times as a class officer. An avid reader, travel enthusiast, and a closet gourmet chef, Marley is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and was twice named to “Outstanding Young Women of America.” Marley made her young adult debut in May 2008 kicking off the SORORITY 101 series from Puffin Books, writing as Kate Harmon, and has her own series, GHOST HUNTRESS, coming out under her name in May 2009 by Houghton Mifflin. She lives in the Boston area with her best friend, personal webmaster, and hubby, Mike. She can be found online at www.marleygibson.com or at her blog www.booksboysbuzz.com on at MySpace at www.myspace.com/mhgibson.

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 24th, 2008 at 6:00 am and is filed under Julie. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.