Recently, I was asked the question most published writers
are eventually asked: What is your writing schedule? The person who asked
understood that in order to finish a book and render it publishable, authors
must structure their days and discipline themselves to stick with a project to
the end.
My response was something like, “I normally get up around
seven or eight and eat breakfast while I do my Bible study lesson. Then I go to
my computer to check email and Facebook messages, update bookkeeping, etc. If all
goes well, I’ll be done with correspondence by eleven or twelve – just in time
for lunch. So, of course, I take a break.
In the afternoon, I respond to interview questions and write
posts for bloggers who've offered to promote my latest book. I might even write
something for one of my own blogs. Because I edit for other writers, I’ll
likely work on someone else’s material for several hours.
Eventually, the desk is cleared, and I can work on my own book in progress.
Sounds great, but by then, it’s probably time to take my afternoon walk and start
dinner. Following dinner, who knows whether or not I can talk my sore fingers
into returning to the keyboard.
That’s my “no big rush” schedule; however, when I’m in a crunch
to get an article out or have several projects going at once, I tend to sit
down at the computer a little earlier and stay a bit longer, occasionally into
the early morning hours. To be honest, I’d like to be more structured, but I
also appreciate the freedom to volunteer for a variety of entities, to attend a
daytime women’s Bible study group, and to meet with my crit group or join
friends for lunch.
A helpful habit I've developed over the years is to edit the
previous day’s chapter or section, not only to clean it up (fixes are always
needed!) but to remind myself where I’m at in the story and to “prime the pump”
before I tackle the next scene.
One more thought –I never
respond to requests on Facebook to play games, even with my bestest
friends. I hear online games can really drain the hourglass…
How about you? Do you have daily writing routine? Or do you
tackle projects as inspiration hits, or maybe as deadlines demand?
Visit Rebecca's blog and leave a comment with your email address to be entered in a drawing for a free book! Drawing continues until Sunday, November 3.
Visit Rebecca's blog and leave a comment with your email address to be entered in a drawing for a free book! Drawing continues until Sunday, November 3.
Bio
Rebecca Carey Lyles grew up in Wyoming, the setting for her
Kate Neilson novels. She currently lives with her husband in Idaho, where she
serves as an editor and a mentor for aspiring authors and as a coach for women
transitioning from prison to life on “the outside.”
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Twitter: @BeckyLyles
LinkedIn: Becky Lyles
Facebook: Rebecca Carey Lyles
Latest Book
Winds of Freedom (Kate
Neilson Novel #2), sequel to award-winning Winds of Wyoming
Winter storms blast
across the Whispering Pines Guest Ranch, and a cold wind blows through Kate
Neilson’s soul. Despite her pain, Kate’s well-being takes a backseat to the
needs of loved ones: her best friend, who’s been ensnared by evil; her failing
great-aunt, whose dementia care keeps Kate guessing; and Laura and Mike Duncan,
whose ranch and livelihood are threatened by a land-grabbing neighbor.
www.fliterary.com