Ooh I love this! I've been super optimistic (slightly delusional) with how long I think things are going to take as I'm writing my book at the moment, especially as I'm seeking out more shiny things and instant dopamine hits than ever, particularly when things get hard. This was a wonderful and very supportive and much-needed read, thank you so much for sharing!
My pleasure, Cassie! It's so easy to think one more thing will give us that sense of progress we want, but starting new writing projects nearly always causes me to unravel if I haven't finished what I'm currently working on. So glad this helped- keep me posted on how it's going.
I’m chronically distracted when writing. One of the best tactics I’ve found is having a separate account that’s Scrivener and little else. No hopping onto LinkedIn (why is LinkedIn a huge distraction?), Reddit, etc.
That’s an excellent idea! I have created that somewhat by having a keyboard case for my iPad and having Scrivener and no social media on there. I like to write fiction away from my home desk, so that saves me when writing in other places. I like Freedom as well if I’m fooling around too much during writing time.
Good luck with writing! Your dedication is an inspiration to me.
I have found that revising the second draft of something I made when I first worked with you three years ago has come in waves and my main challenges have been accepting the process and being compassionate towards myself no matter how "well" I do. A part of Rick Rubin's The Creative Act comes to mind: "There is no fail, only make."
Coming down to brass tacks, I have made work I'm content with by time blocking, writing sometimes to answer questions that came up during a previous read through and other times to explore motivations when getting the story from A to B in a way I didn't previously expect. Using the 5 card spread from your Story Arcana book has been helpful and fun for me as I have been rewriting. Can't wait to listen to the Art of Money episode later. :)
Revision absolutely comes in waves, especially for fiction. These all sound like excellent strategies and I‘m thrilled the 5-card spread has been a help.
Let me know what you think of the episode! It’s a fun one. 🎊
Co-writing sessions are great! Although I’ve used the one I’m in to write for social media recently. And I guess I see my progress because I hand write and I can see the pages stack up as I go. I like to have several projects on the go, but they are not all the same kind: there’s a novel, a painting, making props for the novel, etc etc, but they use different parts of my brain. The novel takes up the most space. How is your routine different for fiction writing? Because I can either sail through or come to a screaming halt when the plot goes off the rails. I’m just getting restarted after some backtracking.
Great thoughts, Leanne! Historically, my fiction process has been similar: I get the most done when it's my main project, but there are always nonfiction pieces, like this substack and my newsletter, alongside it. I find that the satisfaction of being able to hit send or publish on those while working on a novel helps a lot. Nonfiction book projects go faster than novels for me, so I need a little hit along the way. Agreed- the novel takes up the most space. And, if I'm honest, even though I set it aside officially, it's still simmering in the back of my mind and I do think about it, which I think will help a lot when I return to it this summer to finish it. Here's hoping I sail through it rather than hitting a wall- I know that dynamic well!
This post may well be a game changer for me and my own practice. I’m inspired to read all the challenges you identify and then walk us through your workaround. Working on ONE thing, (not two or more) at once, well, this lands for me. Im inspired to try just one thing for a week, put down all the projects that feel like they need touching.
Yes, Alison! Try it for a week and see how it feels for you. It's really helping me, but I also know writers who thrive bouncing back and forth between a couple of projects. When we share how we're working, I find it's most useful as a way to explore what sounds fun to try. All writing routines are a work in progress, just like we are as humans. Let me know how you feel after your week of one thing? I'd love to know what you discover.
Loved the idea of inside-out planning and it makes so much sense!
I’m a newbie at writing so this post is fantastic! I’m on the phase reading about writing, while writing everything and anything and looking for gold nuggets!
Snooping is the best way to learn. I am a lifelong snoop of other writers. Follow what works for you. There is no perfect way to do this, so follow your curiosity and what feels good. If writing isn't happening, it's because the routine and the plan need to change to suit you, not the other way around. Have fun and let me know how everything's going!
I rethink mine allll the time. There's always a chance to tweak and make it fit better. Glad this was helpful! Please do share what you change about your routine. I love talking about this stuff so much.
I am TOTALLY GEEKING OUT on this Caroline 🤣
Thank you for letting us snoop a little. Fascinating. And helpful! 🖤
I love geeking out on this stuff- so I share mine, too! Let us continue the geek fest with many more chats in this direction. 🩷
Ooh I love this! I've been super optimistic (slightly delusional) with how long I think things are going to take as I'm writing my book at the moment, especially as I'm seeking out more shiny things and instant dopamine hits than ever, particularly when things get hard. This was a wonderful and very supportive and much-needed read, thank you so much for sharing!
My pleasure, Cassie! It's so easy to think one more thing will give us that sense of progress we want, but starting new writing projects nearly always causes me to unravel if I haven't finished what I'm currently working on. So glad this helped- keep me posted on how it's going.
I’m chronically distracted when writing. One of the best tactics I’ve found is having a separate account that’s Scrivener and little else. No hopping onto LinkedIn (why is LinkedIn a huge distraction?), Reddit, etc.
That’s an excellent idea! I have created that somewhat by having a keyboard case for my iPad and having Scrivener and no social media on there. I like to write fiction away from my home desk, so that saves me when writing in other places. I like Freedom as well if I’m fooling around too much during writing time.
Good luck with writing! Your dedication is an inspiration to me.
I have found that revising the second draft of something I made when I first worked with you three years ago has come in waves and my main challenges have been accepting the process and being compassionate towards myself no matter how "well" I do. A part of Rick Rubin's The Creative Act comes to mind: "There is no fail, only make."
Coming down to brass tacks, I have made work I'm content with by time blocking, writing sometimes to answer questions that came up during a previous read through and other times to explore motivations when getting the story from A to B in a way I didn't previously expect. Using the 5 card spread from your Story Arcana book has been helpful and fun for me as I have been rewriting. Can't wait to listen to the Art of Money episode later. :)
Revision absolutely comes in waves, especially for fiction. These all sound like excellent strategies and I‘m thrilled the 5-card spread has been a help.
Let me know what you think of the episode! It’s a fun one. 🎊
Co-writing sessions are great! Although I’ve used the one I’m in to write for social media recently. And I guess I see my progress because I hand write and I can see the pages stack up as I go. I like to have several projects on the go, but they are not all the same kind: there’s a novel, a painting, making props for the novel, etc etc, but they use different parts of my brain. The novel takes up the most space. How is your routine different for fiction writing? Because I can either sail through or come to a screaming halt when the plot goes off the rails. I’m just getting restarted after some backtracking.
Great thoughts, Leanne! Historically, my fiction process has been similar: I get the most done when it's my main project, but there are always nonfiction pieces, like this substack and my newsletter, alongside it. I find that the satisfaction of being able to hit send or publish on those while working on a novel helps a lot. Nonfiction book projects go faster than novels for me, so I need a little hit along the way. Agreed- the novel takes up the most space. And, if I'm honest, even though I set it aside officially, it's still simmering in the back of my mind and I do think about it, which I think will help a lot when I return to it this summer to finish it. Here's hoping I sail through it rather than hitting a wall- I know that dynamic well!
I don’t like them but walls are a sign that something needs to be fixed.
Agreed!
This post may well be a game changer for me and my own practice. I’m inspired to read all the challenges you identify and then walk us through your workaround. Working on ONE thing, (not two or more) at once, well, this lands for me. Im inspired to try just one thing for a week, put down all the projects that feel like they need touching.
Yes, Alison! Try it for a week and see how it feels for you. It's really helping me, but I also know writers who thrive bouncing back and forth between a couple of projects. When we share how we're working, I find it's most useful as a way to explore what sounds fun to try. All writing routines are a work in progress, just like we are as humans. Let me know how you feel after your week of one thing? I'd love to know what you discover.
Loved the idea of inside-out planning and it makes so much sense!
I’m a newbie at writing so this post is fantastic! I’m on the phase reading about writing, while writing everything and anything and looking for gold nuggets!
So, snooping on other writers! 😅
Thanks for sharing!
Snooping is the best way to learn. I am a lifelong snoop of other writers. Follow what works for you. There is no perfect way to do this, so follow your curiosity and what feels good. If writing isn't happening, it's because the routine and the plan need to change to suit you, not the other way around. Have fun and let me know how everything's going!
I loved this, thank you! Such helpful and practical words. I’m going to rethink my writing routine...
I rethink mine allll the time. There's always a chance to tweak and make it fit better. Glad this was helpful! Please do share what you change about your routine. I love talking about this stuff so much.