Writers First Aid

Back to School–for Writers

August 21, 2009

school Like many of you–especially those with kids and visiting grandkids–I’m wondering where the summer went. Lots of trips, company, overnights with grandkids, picnics–fun! But now it’s time, since school is back in session, for writers to settle down to a routine as well.

Revisit Your Goals

Last December I set for myself a “Self-Study Advanced Writing Program.” It consisted of studying certain writing books, reading many good books in my genre, and being critiqued weekly. Until school got out for the summer, our critique group and children’s book club met weekly.

However, because of summer schedules, both those things went by the wayside. We will be starting again in September. So now I’m “Dealing with Delayed Goals”. I intend this weekend to re-read everything I’ve blogged about on goals and remind myself of a few important strategies.

Set Up Your Schedule

Hopefully you at least journaled through the summer, but now it’s time to get serious again about your writing schedule. I intend to go back to using the highly effective (for me, anyway) “unschedule.” I will also remember the power of writing things down and keep track of my writing accomplishments–and celebrate them! This time I won’t forget to make the writing fun!

My ideal schedule includes two hours of writing time, two hours of teaching time, two hours of marketing (social networking and blogging), and two hours of study time. My schedule doesn’t always allow for my ideal day, but it’s what I strive for.

Stock Up on School Supplies

Don’t you just LOVE the displays of school supplies in every store this time of year? Every August I buy a year’s worth of supplies (well, actually, judging by the state of my office closet, I buy about two years’ worth every summer.) I just can’t pass up packages of college-ruled paper for fifty cents, Bic pens ten for a dollar, bottles of glue for a quarter, and pocket folders covered with psychedelic frogs and fish. I actually feel myself hyperventilating when I get near the school supplies.

The back-to-college supply sections are equally important. This year I got two new flash drives for only $9.00 each! And my new desk lamp, organizer and clock (all brilliant orange) only cost $5.00 each. Looks like I have a new office.

Set Your Alarm Again

Now to the least fun thing about “back to school”… If you’ve developed the habit this summer of sleeping in, reading a novel after breakfast, then taking the kids to the pool, you’re in for the same shock your school age children are feeling. Bite the bullet and set your alarm again. Get up early. Get the kids off to school with smiles on their faces. Pick up the worst of the clutter, then head to your office.

Not to your email. Not to your Facebook or to post some Tweets. Head to your writing desk. Stay off the Internet until you’ve put in some serious writing time. Take time to reward yourself a bit, but then return to your desk for as long as you can.

I know it’s a shock to the system at first, but even for writers, it’s time to get back to school!

Post tags: career planning, children, critique groups, discipline, distractions, families, focus, getting started, goals, habits, schedules, strategy, time management, writing habits, writing schedule

Posted in: families,goals,habits,schedules,writing challenges,writing habits,writing output | | Comments (6)

6 Comments »

I just started blogging so don’t have a website yet but am working on one. This article portrays exactly where I am at right now. I was really good about keeping a schedule until this summer. Guess it was moving two house, two baseball leagues, two kids with special needs, two dogs and two cats that got me off schedule. I’m working on getting my priorities straight. lol. Great advice.

Peg

Comment by Peg366 — August 21, 2009 @ 11:52 am
Peg, you really have your hands full–and not just in the summer. I hope enough of the dust settles for you soon so that you can write again. Whatever our schedules need to be–for our particular circumstances–we all seem to need them.

Comment by Kristi Holl — August 21, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
“Bite the bullet and set your alarm again. Get up early. Get the kids off to school with smiles on their faces. Pick up the worst of the clutter, then head to your office.

Not to your email. Not to your Facebook or to post some Tweets. Head to your writing desk. Stay off the Internet until you’ve put in some serious writing time.”

Yes, sir!

We have another week of fun and games And as much as I love this time off, I am ready to work hard.

Comment by Vijaya — August 21, 2009 @ 2:17 pm
Vijaya, it DOES sound like I was being a drill sergeant, doesn’t it? I meant well! Actually, I was giving MYSELF orders–because come Monday morning, that’s exactl what *I* need to do!

Comment by Kristi Holl — August 21, 2009 @ 4:23 pm
Kristi – we don’t really have that huge summer break here in Australia (we have about 5 weeks over Christmas and New Year) but the routine thing is so important, all the same.
I have found that writing first, on the days I have at home, has made the hugest difference – to the amount I write, to the feelings of great satisfaction, and to my mental process. I look forward to writing, and I am often thinking about writing in between, pondering new ideas and developing characters.
This new routine really works for me!

Comment by Sherryl — August 21, 2009 @ 5:51 pm
Sherryl, I think one of the best changes we made this year had to do with writing before getting online. You’re so right–it affects output, mental well-being, and satisfaction with life. I do like schedules, no matter how “uncreative” it looks!

Comment by Kristi Holl — August 22, 2009 @ 4:28 pm