Writing is hard at times, isn’t it?
Because to be a good writer, the words need to read effortlessly - which, weirdly, makes people think anyone can do it. Especially with AI, which tends to generate a massive amount of unnecessary words. Although, at least it filters out those who like to serve up word salad with 56 words in a single sentence. (Yes, I’ve counted certain posts - I can’t help it - and that’s my record. Have you spotted more?)
But anyway, the point is: writing is one of those things where there are a lot of people telling you the ‘right’ way to do it.
Write every day. Don’t write every day.
Don’t have a set workspace. Your workspace is important.
Set a timer. Don’t set a timer.
Edit as you go. Don’t edit as you go.
Plot. Pants it. Plan. Just write.
It’s one thing listening to advice, feedback, criticism - in fact, as a writer, this is essential - but it’s more important to figure out what works for you. When it comes to anything creative, your process will get the best results - not someone else’s. And that might not be what you think will work.
This week, I’ve been having a bit of a flap.
I’ve had more time to write fiction.
EXCELLENT.
I set myself a word count target, which I’m going to fail, unless a miracle happens tomorrow. And I’m quite cross with myself for this. Part of me feels like I’ve wasted time. After all, I have done a lot of staring into space. Plus, I suddenly decide to do something important for a client (that could definitely have waited until next week), but I also really fancied a 10k run in 24-degree heat. Oh, and the skirting boards urgently needed cleaning. The laundry situation needed to be fixed. Wimbledon has been brilliant. And Dance Moms is at a crucial stage - WHO WILL GET CUT?
Obviously this was all very important.
But, today I was annoyed with myself. I messed around with admin that sort of needed doing, and then - realising I had an hour until my gym session - I set a 30-minute timer.
This works for me.
I turned off Dance Moms. Stuck on my current writing playlist of choice (Norah Jones - my heart really is drenched in wine, a lot of the time). And went back to my WIP.
Thirty minutes later, I’d written 1,029 words and landed on the end of a chapter that will move things along nicely.
I mentioned to a lovely friend, who is a very different writer to me (better, in my opinion), that I was cross with my productivity - just imagine what I could achieve if I wrote 9-5 every day, like people probably think I should (and we all know what a bugger I am when it comes to people-pleasing).
But my very, very wise friend said:
‘But this is how you work - in short, prolific bursts.’
And I realised: she’s right.
This has always been true.
When I wrote Dottie, I wrote it fast.
A thousand words, then I’d do the ironing with an episode of Heroes, or play with the kids after their naps, or knock it out while the fish fingers were cooking.
With Bad Influence, I wrote while Mum had blood tests, hospital appointments, chemo. Or between us packing up boxes to move.
So why would now be any different?
After all, working this way has meant I’ve knocked out nearly 13k words in three weeks, and still managed to fit in freelance work, the gym, Dance Moms, and meal planning (urgh).
So, I suppose the moral of the story is exactly what I said at the beginning:
Writing can be hard.
Ignore the people telling you how to do it. Just do it. Your way is the best way for you. It won’t always feel right. You’ll have to adapt. You’ll grow.
But if it works for you right now? It’s right.
So... how do you get your words out?