by Heather Moore
Once you've published a novel, one of the most common questions you'll receive is, "How do you find the time?"
Of course, as writers, we know what we've given up. Number one: sleep.
I've set my alarm many times at 4 a.m., or stayed up way too late . . .
But don't worry, we're not alone. On a recent television interview, Stephenie Meyer said she was very nocturnal when writing her first novel. It can be frustrating when you are deep into a scene and your thoughts are spilling out faster then you can write and . . . the phone rings . . . or someone says "Mo-oo-om!"
Stephen King writes 2,000 words a day. Mary Higgins Clark starts at 5 a.m. and sometimes keeps going until midnight. Patricia Cornwell puts in 14 hour days when she's working on a new book. Danielle Steele? 18-hour days. Isaac Asmimov--16 hour days. (Writer's Digest, May 2005)
Talk about dedication. I'm feeling like a procrastinator right now. But I'm interested in what works for you. What are your writing habits?
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7 comments:
If I had 18-hours to sit and write, I'd do it ^_^
Right now, I write whenever I can, usually staying up waaay too late, but I love it.
I usually stay up way too late as well, because I am so not a morning person. I am also lucky enough to be at home all day long, so I have all the kids I babysit take a quiet time after lunch so I can get an hour of writing in then. It is just taking it when I can get it really.
I can't imagine writing for eighteen hours -- I'd have a serious case of numb bum. :)
I do stay up too late, though -- sometimes until 3, depending on what I'm working on. Getting up at 4? In your dreams!!
You take it when you can get it, and as life changes, you change with it. It's really the only way.
My mind gets pretty numb after a few hours. I don't know if I could do 18 hours either. But like the rest of you, I adjust to the needs that surround me.
This is why I don't cook very often . . . or clean . . . and some days showering is optional . . .
every day for an hr during the week. I work a FT job and have an hr for lunch. That's prime writing time for me. I can crank out 3-4 handwritten pages during that time. Depending on how well the creativity is flowing, that is. And I can't write on weekends because there are too many distractions: my husband being the only reason. Also, even though I have an office to work in at home, I rarely write there. Again, distractions.
I write whenever I can and find that my 'schedule' changes every month or so. I hate getting up early and I hate staying up late, but I hate not writing even more. So, like you guys, I write when I can.
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