Why not try it? And don't forget to let me know how you get on.
Keep writing ...
Monday, 5 August 2013
One hour a day
Diana Cambridge's feature 'The will to write' published in August's issue of Writing Magazine really stirred up the Indoor Writer. Particular a section entitled 'One hour, more work', where Diana promoted the importance of setting aside one hour a day "thinking about how you could increase your writing income". She advocated using this hour to focus on visualising your writing future i.e. "Imagine yourself giving a reading or signing books..." The Indoor Writer has been working on this, though using the ring fenced hour primarily to research new markets and submit work. Okay, this used to happen anyway but it gone done in dribs and drabs throughout the day and the actual (real) writing got
pushed out. The kitchen timer is set for exactly one hour, but only after finishing 1-2 hours of writing and then the focus is totally on income tasks. Does it work? Well, her productivity has soared and over several days she pitched a feature (which had been on the to-do list for weeks), sent off a reader's letter, submitted competition entries and researched new markets for short stories. It is fun to devote some of the hour to thinking and visualising too, you can start running through your acceptance speech for the Man Booker Prize or whatever other literary ambition floats your boat.
Why not try it? And don't forget to let me know how you get on.
Why not try it? And don't forget to let me know how you get on.
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Oh, how I wish I could be as organised as you, Tracy. My writing time is so haphazard and all over the place!
ReplyDeleteBut you're organised enough to constantly write and submit stories, Wendy - so whatever you're doing it works pretty well!
DeleteVisualising is OK, but no good unless we're also doing the work - which I'm sure you are! Just thinking about having work accepted, books published etc is no help if we've not written them yet.
ReplyDeleteI've tried lying on the sofa and visualising a super fit bod and yes, you're right you have to put in the hard grind first! (Shame)
DeleteThat's a great blog post Tracy, and it works. Positive thinking is fabulous I think.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan. I think your blog is a wonderful example of positivity too. Love the giggle posts!
DeleteExcellent advice. I used to worry (well, I still do) if wasn't working on something that paid. I am trying to train myself to accept that time spent researching, doing my admin, filing and jotting down ideas is just as important as the tangible things like getting that proofreading done.
ReplyDeleteI agree Julia. And often many writing tasks may not initially seem to be generating income, but it's surprising what they can lead to.
DeleteLove this idea and it's well seen I'm way behind with reading the mags as I haven't read that yet - I will now. Great to know it's helping you, Tracy - I'll certainly give it a go soon.
ReplyDeleteThere were some good articles in August issue. Know how you feel, Rosemary, about keeping up with reading the mags!
DeleteGreat post Tracy, with lots to mull over...maybe I'll think about it during the hour.... :)
ReplyDeleteMmm, keeping up with the mags....now there's a topic! I buy Writer's Forum, Writers Magazine, Myslexia, New Writer, and then all the womags too...the pile just gets higher and higher, but I rarely read much from any! Any advice?? Edith xxx
Thanks Edith! Yes, I buy all those Writing mags too, though may drop The New Writer (as I'm finding it a bit samey). Though there's always the dread of missing something really useful isn't there? I tend to only buy the womags in spurts, but that's because I don't submit too often. I guess it there's a mag you always put off reading then maybe that's the one to let go... good luck!
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