The good thing is that normally I become more productive writing wise during the winter months. Of course there are exceptions to this (last night I wrote the first draft of two poems, I thought it was one, but in sunlight they turned into two). I find that when I'm not creative and writing (BTW, one of the best pieces of writing is to write when you're not "inspired," to write at the same time everyday, and to keep at it, unfortunately my schedule, even with less OT than at the begining of the year, isn't so conducsive to that) that I should keep reading stuff I like and also read advice to keep those mental checklist thingies glowing bright from recent memory.
So here are two more links thanks to Justine Larbalestier (who is composing her own post about editing). You are checking Justine's blog, aren't you?
Maureen's How to Revise a Book. It has a picture of Cary Grant. How can you go wrong with that?
David Louis Edelman's Line Editing in 10 Easy Steps (yeah, right).
And a third one from pllogan (who I know I know your real name but can't put my finger on it right now) who points to an article by Ann Crispin over at Writer Beware Blog on How Do You Tell Who's Going to "Make It? I've seen all those points she makes and have worked my way out of them. I've seen other writers get dragged down by some of them (especially the submitting and rejection part).
And there's a way to waste an otherwise productive afternoon.
8 comments:
Thanks for the advice, Steve.
For me, writing has to be a job, not a hobby. Which means you approach it as a job, regular hours, office environment, actually get dressed - not sit around in your sweats unshowered and unshaven.
But, ultimately, I guess it comes down to what works for each of us.
Jim, that's (w)right (sorry, couldn't resist). I try and make writing a job, but the day and evening jobs tend to interfere with it. I keep at it, I keep getting words out and I keep submitting them (both to the writing group I belong to and then to editors).
I did a post earlier this year on my schedule constraints. (damn, don't have a search feature on this here blogger). Here it is (back from December).
Everybody writes differenty. What works for you is the best, because it works.
I have thought that if I get re-elected this year (vot for me!) that I'll drop the freelance design work. I don't have very many clients left (I only kept the ones I liked). But I could do without the stuggles and the last minuteness of their requests.
Note to self, should do an update post on time usage (need to start research). Writers group during week is no longer a regular thing, although all afternoon and night one Sunday a month for other writers group is. Overtime has been less (except for Thursdays, that's my "It Sucks to be Steve" day), although it's been growing again with the "can you get this out before you leave" requests.
Cool links.
Here's another one, an Aussie SF writer quoting Elmore Leonard.
Cool. Thanks Todd.
Yeah. After a certain point, reading tons of other people's advice about writing simply becomes a procrastination tactic against writing your own words.
I'm just saying.
Camille (said while stroking beard) reading writing advice as a procrastination tactic. Hmmm. I've never heard that before. :)
Yeah, I need to do edits to DLG.
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