Writing Wednesday
On Wednesday’s I like to share information I picked up on my path to publishing, marketing and preparing to publish again. Information that I wish someone would have shared with me, back then.
Writing Spaces/ Routines and Rituals
When I was writing my first book, just a few years ago all I had to write with, was a PC. We kept the computer in one of our extra bedrooms. Back then I had a writing schedule and I didn’t seem to have any trouble sticking with that schedule. I would get up an hour earlier each morning, make a cup of tea and I would sit down and write for an hour, before I went to work. I would spend another hour, writing before I went to bed at night and on Saturdays the whole day was dedicated to writing.
Since then a few things have changed. I now have a dedicated office space that I rarely use. I can use my laptop, notebook, IPad or phone to write anywhere. With all of the choices I have and as connected as I am I seem to be failing at sticking to my weekly word counts. Social media was shiny and sparkled so bright I had no choice but to follow along. None of us had any idea what a time sucker social media would turn out to be. It’s not all bad, it just requires discipline.
With a second book coming out this year and a third one to finish, a full time and a part time job and a large family, this year I need to get serious about getting back to scheduling dedicated working time and sticking with the schedule.
It’s time to dust my office. Better yet I think restyling my space might provide some inspiration. It is time to revive my writing playlist and stop sitting on my sofa thinking I can watch a movie and concentrate on grammar at the same time.
How about you? Do you have a dedicated space for writing? Do you have any writing rituals? I listen to music, drink tea or wine depending on the hour and my favorite writing snacks are chocolate (of course,) cheese and crackers or veggies and dip. If I find myself not able to concentrate I play a couple of levels of Scrabble Blast, the only online game I play.
I would love to see a picture of your work space and to hear any secrets or suggestions you may have to sticking with your schedule. If you share those with me on my Facebook book page, I will choose two winners and send you a copy of my book, some writing snacks and other writerly type goodies.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bristol-boyzStomp/113804488656243
If you have any rituals please share them here.
Happy Writing,
Doreen
18 thoughts on “Writing Wednesday/ Routines and Rituals…”
Doreen,
I had spent the Christmas vaca making my office beautiful and clean so I would feel good going there to write. Then in the last few days I have trashed it looking for a very important photo for my first book being published in the Spring. So I won’t send a pic, becuause it’s a nightmare, but I will tell you I did like it clean and neat..which is not my forte….so I learned something there. Thanks for the article and pics, always love hearing other author routines.
We writers are not the neatest:) My office is a mess!
No rituals to report,but glad it is Writing Wednesday, again! Good stuff, Doreen.
Thank you so much!
I don’t have a dedicated spot. It all depends on who is awake and at home at the time to determine when and where I’ll write. 🙂
I wish I could write late at night again. I loved the quiet.
I just need a place to rest my feet — that is a very important thing for a short person. You have no idea how quickly your feet will fall asleep, and distract your from your task, if they dangle unsupported :)! I tried to post a photo of my stool on your FB page but I think it failed!
As always, you inspired me to do and be better. I need to find my rhythm again!
Thank you Ruth. I have a few footstools in my house for my short daughters:)
My writing has no real ritual – I write when inspiration strikes. But when it doesn’t, I just sit butt in chair and work. I guess you could call that a ritual, right?
Absolutely a ritual! Sometimes just sitting in the chair works.
My current writing space is the kitchen table. I can look out of the big windows at my garden or the sky. But when my nest gets just a little bit emptier, I’m claiming an upstairs room as my own. Then I’ll share a photo!
I have a nice view from my kitchen table too.
I usually sit at my kitchen table because I like to be in the center of things, so I had to put an office chair down there so I wouldn’ t hurt my back. Social media has become the biggest time sucker of my day but it’s also been a necessity for my work. It’s kind of exhausting!
I like to work in my kitchen too.
Actually, since I tend to spend most of my time in my office, I find that occasionally heading elsewhere to work helps me get some of the grunt work done. But I almost always prefer to do my most creative work late at night – assuming I can stay awake.
I sometimes use my kitchen table too. I have a nice view and it’s closer to the tea pot.
My routine is to work on my writing on the weekend and in the early mornings. Also lunch hours as well – wherever I can squeeze it in. I used to do it in a notebook, but now it feels like it flows better on a computer.
I still love my notebooks!