Pauline Rowson's Blog - Posts Tagged "writing-routines"
Writing routines and the life of a writer
Each writer has his or her own routines. Some are larks up before the dawn to scribble away or pound a keyboard. Others are owls writing late into the night. When and how much you write can also depend on your family or work commitments. For many years while I was running my marketing and training company I could only write at weekends and during holidays so I used to write every Saturday afternoon and frequently all day Sunday. Now I have the luxury of being able to write every day.
My writing routine varies, but I do write every day and usually every evening from about 5pm to 7.30pm. I still also write every Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
And when I am not writing what do I do? Well a lot of thinking, often while taking long walks by the sea on Hayling Island or in the countryside of the Isle of Wight. Then, when wrestling with a plot, I might pick up the knitting needles and think and knit. I could be mapping out a character or a plot outline, which I do in pencil. And aside from the writing and thinking there are other things to be done such as keeping up to date with book news and what is happening in the world of publishing; writing my blogs and spending time on my social networks sites, answering e mails. I might also be preparing for a radio interview or talk, or reviewing a press release or attending a book signing/talk. I could be undertaking research for my novels, visiting a location, or talking to people who can help me.
My writing regime often depends on the stage of the novel and deadlines. When writing a first draft I always want to crack on with it as quickly as possible and have been known to write for seven hours non stop over many days to get it on to the computer. It's almost as though I need to get as much down as quickly as possible in case my mind dries up. I will also work non stop on very final revisions when I need to read the novel through in one hit.
At other times I will take a more leisurely approach. Are there days off? Rarely and even then I am usually thinking about the novel or project I'm working on or getting ideas for the next book. No complaints though. It's a pleasure and a privilege to be living, breathing, thinking writing, oh and writing.
My writing routine varies, but I do write every day and usually every evening from about 5pm to 7.30pm. I still also write every Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
And when I am not writing what do I do? Well a lot of thinking, often while taking long walks by the sea on Hayling Island or in the countryside of the Isle of Wight. Then, when wrestling with a plot, I might pick up the knitting needles and think and knit. I could be mapping out a character or a plot outline, which I do in pencil. And aside from the writing and thinking there are other things to be done such as keeping up to date with book news and what is happening in the world of publishing; writing my blogs and spending time on my social networks sites, answering e mails. I might also be preparing for a radio interview or talk, or reviewing a press release or attending a book signing/talk. I could be undertaking research for my novels, visiting a location, or talking to people who can help me.
My writing regime often depends on the stage of the novel and deadlines. When writing a first draft I always want to crack on with it as quickly as possible and have been known to write for seven hours non stop over many days to get it on to the computer. It's almost as though I need to get as much down as quickly as possible in case my mind dries up. I will also work non stop on very final revisions when I need to read the novel through in one hit.
At other times I will take a more leisurely approach. Are there days off? Rarely and even then I am usually thinking about the novel or project I'm working on or getting ideas for the next book. No complaints though. It's a pleasure and a privilege to be living, breathing, thinking writing, oh and writing.
My writing routine, crime author Pauline Rowson explains hers
There are a writers who write the same time every day come what may; others will write a certain number of words every day and say, 'when I've done my quota, I'll knock off writing.' Me? I have no routine and I don't count the number of words. Some days the words will flow and I can spend up to eight hours, maybe more writing. Other days I will struggle to find the correct words. If the latter happens I will usually pick up my knitting, do some sewing or go for a walk. My mind is constantly working though, thinking through the plots or sub plots, developing characters. I do, however, try to write or 'think' my novels every day. And if I can, I usually work on my crime novels every late afternoon and early evening, knocking off about 7.30pm.
I'm currently working in pencil on my outline plot, working up ideas for the new DI Andy Horton, which will be number eight in the series. Then I'll start to put down some character sketches before starting on the first draft of what I call the creative writing bit which goes direct onto the computer. When I will begin this creative writing stage I'm not quite sure yet, but it shouldn't be long.
Read more about my writing and my books on http://www.rowmark.co.uk or on my blog http://www.paulinerowson.com
Dead Man's Wharf
I'm currently working in pencil on my outline plot, working up ideas for the new DI Andy Horton, which will be number eight in the series. Then I'll start to put down some character sketches before starting on the first draft of what I call the creative writing bit which goes direct onto the computer. When I will begin this creative writing stage I'm not quite sure yet, but it shouldn't be long.
Read more about my writing and my books on http://www.rowmark.co.uk or on my blog http://www.paulinerowson.com
Dead Man's Wharf
Writing routines - transforming a simple idea into a fully formed novel
I'm often asked if I have a writing routine. There are writers who write the same time every day come what may; others who will write a certain number of words every day and when they've done their quota, they'll knock off. Me? I have no real set routine but I do like to write every day, speaking engagements permitting.
Some days when the words flow or I am at a critical stage of writing - usually at the end of the first draft of a novel - I am keen to crack on and write as much as I can. This can result in me spending up to seven hours, maybe more, sitting at my computer.
Other days I will struggle to find the correct words and the creative flow will trickle to a halt. If the latter happens I usually pick up my knitting, do some sewing or go for a walk while my mind works away at the snag with the plot or with a character.
But writing isn't only about pounding away at a keyboard, writers also spend a great deal of time staring into space - thinking! (That's where the knitting comes in handy, I can knit and think at the same time). Writing a novel also involves research and because my crime novels are set in the area in which I live I do a lot of research on location walking DI Andy Horton's patch which is Portsmouth, the Solent and the Isle of Wight. (Alright so I can't walk on water but I can traverse the Solent by boat.)
Whether I am walking, knitting sewing, sun bathing, sailing.... my mind is constantly working, thinking through the plots or sub plots and developing characters. Time will also be spent mapping out the plot lines and developing and researching the background of my characters, their personalities and motivations.
And when I'm not doing all the above there are copy edits to be checked and proofs to be read.
I'm currently writing DI Andy Horton number eleven, as yet untitled. I aim to finish this by the end of September when Death Surge, (DI Horton ten) will be published by Severn House, so it's back to work and on with the writing.
Undercurrent
Some days when the words flow or I am at a critical stage of writing - usually at the end of the first draft of a novel - I am keen to crack on and write as much as I can. This can result in me spending up to seven hours, maybe more, sitting at my computer.
Other days I will struggle to find the correct words and the creative flow will trickle to a halt. If the latter happens I usually pick up my knitting, do some sewing or go for a walk while my mind works away at the snag with the plot or with a character.
But writing isn't only about pounding away at a keyboard, writers also spend a great deal of time staring into space - thinking! (That's where the knitting comes in handy, I can knit and think at the same time). Writing a novel also involves research and because my crime novels are set in the area in which I live I do a lot of research on location walking DI Andy Horton's patch which is Portsmouth, the Solent and the Isle of Wight. (Alright so I can't walk on water but I can traverse the Solent by boat.)
Whether I am walking, knitting sewing, sun bathing, sailing.... my mind is constantly working, thinking through the plots or sub plots and developing characters. Time will also be spent mapping out the plot lines and developing and researching the background of my characters, their personalities and motivations.
And when I'm not doing all the above there are copy edits to be checked and proofs to be read.
I'm currently writing DI Andy Horton number eleven, as yet untitled. I aim to finish this by the end of September when Death Surge, (DI Horton ten) will be published by Severn House, so it's back to work and on with the writing.
Undercurrent
First talk of 2014 and what a great audience
On Wednesday I gave my first speaking engagement for 2014 at Monks Brook U3A and what a lovely audience they were. Over a hundred people turned out to hear me talk about my method of writing and the DI Andy Horton crime series set in the Solent area on the South Coast of England in Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. I talked about my method for developing plot lines and creating characters and signed copies of my crime novels.
There were plenty of questions from the audience including writing routines, first drafts and revisions, and what inspired me to write crime novels. You can read articles on all these subjects on my blog on my official website
U3As are self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun. They are always a lovely audience and I'm honoured to have given so many talks to members of this great organisation. I have many more talks lined up at U3As and other groups in 2014.
To see all my events for 2014 visit the Events Page on my website at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
If you would like me to speak to your organisation, company or library please contact me via my website.
There were plenty of questions from the audience including writing routines, first drafts and revisions, and what inspired me to write crime novels. You can read articles on all these subjects on my blog on my official website
U3As are self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun. They are always a lovely audience and I'm honoured to have given so many talks to members of this great organisation. I have many more talks lined up at U3As and other groups in 2014.
To see all my events for 2014 visit the Events Page on my website at http://www.rowmark.co.uk
If you would like me to speak to your organisation, company or library please contact me via my website.
Choosing titles for a crime novel, choosing characters names, and writing routines
Uploaded a new video to my Goodreads Profile,to my website and my You Tube Channel. This video was taken at Sandhurst Library in December 2013 where I gave a talk about crime writing and the DI Andy Horton crime novels. After my talk I took a very lively question and answer session. The video is an extract from that covering questions such as: choosing titles for a crime novel, choosing characters names, and writing routines.
