I Lied About Writing
The Truth Behind My Ideal Tips and Real Practices
I confess I haven’t been completely truthful about managing time for writing. In December of 2023, I put out an article, “Making Time to Write,” packed with advice I supposedly follow. But honestly, I fall short of sticking to that advice. My first fiction book is already 3 months overdue, and it looks like it’ll be 6 months late by the time it’s out. Truth is, I’m still trying to get the hang of this writing thing, and sometimes, I’m utterly failing at it.
So I want to take a real look at how well I follow my own advice and what other things I’m doing to keep the fire of writing burning bright.
Evaluating My Adherence to My Writing Tips
Tip 1: Rising Early for Quiet Productivity
2 out of 5
The early bird gets the worm, right? Not this early worm. I am an early riser, often up by 5:00 am. But since I start my workday at 6:00 am, this early wake-up time doesn’t typically lend itself to writing. Saturdays are the exception; waking up at 5:00 am on the weekend gives me a significant boost in finding time to write. I can usually get a good 3 hours in on Saturday mornings.
Tip 2: Utilizing Tidbits of Time
2 out of 5
In theory, making use of small snippets of time throughout the day sounds effective, but in practice, it falls short for me. I require longer periods to really dive into writing; brief intervals of 5–15 minutes don’t make a significant difference. However, when I merge this approach with another tip (Capturing Inspiration on the Go), it becomes somewhat useful. I use these brief moments to jot down story ideas, plot climaxes, twists, and character development details.
Tip 3: Capturing Inspiration on the Go
5 out of 5
This strategy has been incredibly beneficial for me. I once relied on a physical journal to record my writing ideas, but I’ve since switched to maintaining a Notes folder on my iPhone. This folder is a treasure trove where I store an array of thoughts, from initial story concepts and character arcs to intricate plot twists and the specific emotions I aim to evoke in various sections of my books. It’s also where I note down elements of foreshadowing and ideas for interlinking different parts of my stories.
Tip 4: Embracing AI as a Collaborative Tool in Writing
4 out of 5
While I find myself turning to this tool less frequently over time, it remains a significant asset in my writing process. My confidence in mastering the syntactical aspects of writing is still growing, and AI proves invaluable in refining my phrasing and word choice. It also serves as a creative partner, offering suggestions for names and aiding in brainstorming sessions. Additionally, I use AI to ensure my stories maintain originality, checking that they aren’t overly reminiscent of or influenced by existing works.
Tip 5: The Role of Support in Creative Pursuits
5 out of 5
My writing journey is buoyed by an incredible team of supporters and collaborators who play a pivotal role in my fiction projects.
Creative Editor and Sounding Board: My wife Jenn has been my rock from the start of my venture into fiction writing. She’s deeply immersed in the narrative arc, familiar with every twist, character development, and symbolic element. Her involvement in the creative process is profound, offering encouragement for good ideas and gentle critique when something doesn’t work.
Power Proofreaders: My sister Elysha brings her editing and writing background to the table, providing critical insights into both grammar and writing style. Her contributions have been instrumental in my development as a writer. My friend Mack, an avid reader and aspiring author in the high fantasy genre, has been a sounding board for my ideas, offering both critical and creative feedback that has shaped my writing significantly.
Beta Readers: My sister-in-law Jana, a published author, lends her seasoned perspective to my drafts. My parents, ever supportive, offer their thoughts and feedback, enriching the manuscript with their insights. My children — Landon, Emmalyn, Addison, Bailee, and Brynnlee — inspired the inception of this series with their curiosity and enthusiasm for the stories of Etheria, providing unique and valuable perspectives on the unfolding narrative.
First Chapter Readers: After releasing the first chapter of my book to the public, I’ve received a wealth of feedback from readers, each contribution helping to refine and enhance the story’s opening and set the tone for what follows.
I would say having a network of support is by far the most valuable tip I could ever share. There is nothing more crucial to the writing process for me than to have creative sounding boards, proofreaders, editors, and beta readers.
Assessment
3.6 out of 5 (average score)
Overall, I could definitely step up my game in following my own advice. There are spots where I’m falling short and others where I’m absolutely crushing it. But I’ve noticed I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that I didn’t mention before. These are the real game changers for me. They’re my secret weapon in keeping me motivated and moving forward.
Real Talk Tips: The Secret Sauce of My Writing
Real Talk Tip 1: Nurturing a Passionate Dedication
My life is a juggling act with a wife, five children, active church participation, and full-time job, leaving little room for writing. This endeavor has become a family project, with their support making it feasible. Instead of sacrificing my family at the altar of writing, I have included them in the writing. Without their involvement, such an intense commitment to any other project might not be sustainable, as it doesn’t come at the expense of family time.
Real Talk Tip 2: Embracing Patience
The urge to rush the publication of my book has been strong, yet resisting this impulse has allowed the manuscript to evolve significantly through continuous edits and revisions. The process has taught me the value of patience, highlighting the importance of taking the necessary time to enhance the work and aiming to release something of true quality.
Real Talk Tip 3: Maximizing Limited Writing Windows
With only a few substantial blocks of time available each week, strategic planning becomes crucial. I anticipate these precious moments and carefully prioritize tasks to ensure I make the most of them. This approach allows me to stay focused and productive, ensuring that each allocated period is utilized to its fullest potential for writing.
Real Talk Tip 4: The Delicate Balance of Sacrifice
In my journey to dedicate more time to writing, I’ve had to reconsider some of my hobbies; writing articles (like this one I’m writing now) and video games have taken a back seat to allow for more focus on my novels. Such sacrifices are often necessary to pursue one’s passion. Yet, it’s essential to maintain a clear boundary around what’s truly important. Sacrificing leisure is one thing, but it’s crucial not to compromise on the pillars of your life, like relationships, job responsibilities, and health. Admittedly, I’ve trimmed my sleep to expand my writing time, a decision that has backfired, leading to illness. Moreover, my conversations have become somewhat one-note, dominated by my writing pursuits, which is something I recognize I need to balance better. The balance of sacrifice is still one I am working on.
Navigating the Path to Prioritizing Your Passion
In the quest to carve out time for writing or any cherished pursuit, there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy or a definitive set of tips that guarantee success. The journey is inherently personal and filled with unique challenges and triumphs. The key is to persevere, continually fueling your motivation and pushing forward, even when the path seems daunting. It’s essential to treat yourself with kindness and understanding, allowing for moments of grace amidst the hustle. Patience is your ally, reminding you that progress, no matter how incremental, is still progress. In the end, the commitment to your passion, balanced with the other vital aspects of your life, is what defines your journey.
