I read this post on the Write Anything blog (which you should ALL be reading!) by the very lovely Jodi Cleghorn, and it really got me thinking about my writing schedule. I’ve never really had one, aside from trying to write the next installment of my serial on Wednesdays, so I can post it on Fridays, but I’ve decided I’m going to give this scheduling lark a go.
On Mondays, I plan to have a bash at one of the many writing exercises lurking in the many books I own on writing fiction. For variety, I might try using the random photo option on Flickr as writing prompts. You may, or may not, end up seeing the results of this experiment.
On Tuesdays, I’ll be redrafting my novel. At the moment, I’m doing that “reading through and scribbling on the first draft with red pen” thing, but I need to be more structured in my process. I don’t really like the revision process so I tend to find I avoid it (Procrastination, thy name is Nintendo) but if I book in time for it, then I’ll find myself getting it done.
Wednesday will still be my visit to Vertigo City to write the next installment. I’ve already written a post about the advantages of writing a web serial, although I’ll also add a further comment that they’re handy because sticking to a continuing story helps to eliminate the fear of the blank page.
Thursday will be my brainstorming day. I’ve got planned collaborations with two very talented artists, and I want to make sure I’ve got work sorted out at my end!! I’ve got lots of ideas, but I need to make the time to actually write them down and develop them. Working on my ideas is something I’m very bad at, as I usually just make things up as I go along.
Friday will be, as ever, my Friday Flash day. I like to write them on the day because I often use the Fiction Friday prompts on the Write Anything blog.
Saturday and Sunday will be my days off. After all, I need a break in order to find inspiration…
I can’t speak highly enough of a writing schedule. I had one last week and I pretty much kept to it – though it tended to accomodate all my non-fiction writing and the fiction writing happened around it.
Getting back to basics seems to have really struck a chord with many folk. And with all the editing and publishing going on – it is even more important for me to fit in writing. Thus it is 2:12am and I’m buzzing having just written my first Captain Juan associated story in almost six months!
I’m looking forward to getting my teeth into Tales from Vertigo City after week’s of posting links through to it from CW.
Thanks for the link! And good luck. We can all keep each other honest.
Of course, one of these days will be given over to my CW story! Might break my schedule and do it at weekends.