What is Writing Time?
I am a regular listener to K.M. Weiland's 'Helping Writers Become Authors' podcast, and in her 'Writing Lessons in 2020' episode she said something that I've long believed, but felt lazy saying. But since she's super successful as both a fiction writer and a 'how-to' writer, I feel a lot better echoing it: writing time isn't always spent writing.
'Writing time' does not equal 'typing time'.
I spend a lot of time thinking about my stories and my characters before I sit down to write them. Outlining, backstory, character motivations/characteristics, etc., a lot of table-setting has to happen before I can sit down and actually write anything out in prose. I'm working the story, asking questions, interrogating my choices (and the characters'), solving problems before I make them... that's all part of the process of writing. Just because I don't do it at the keyboard while I'm in the process of actually typing doesn't change that.
I'm not writing this to be defensive or to justify myself, (I don't have to, I'm happy with my process), but to let you know that if you struggle with time management or flagellate yourself for not banging your head against the keyboard during your dedicated 'writing time', that it's okay! As long as you are making progress, and working on the story, it's writing. So is editing and proofreading. Likewise, taking steps to improving your craft (how-to books, podcasts, writer interviews, all that stuff that help you improve) is not wasted time, either. I don't think that I would count it towards 'writing time', but it is still taking active steps towards the goal of finishing your book. Daydreaming about what you're going to spend your royalties on or whatever is absolutely not.
I won't get into the ancillary stuff like marketing, cover design, etc, that's a separate kettle of monkeys, and requires different thinking.
But as long as you're thinking about your characters or your story, and making choices, solving problems (saving yourself work down the line), you're writing. You're engaging your writer's brain and doing the things you need to do to help get your story told! If you do that while walking the dog or washing dishes or whatever, you're still getting it done! I've gotten as much done on long walks as I have sitting at my desk, it all counts.
So if you struggle with self-flagellation or feeling like you're not doing 'what you should be doing,' it's okay. As long as your story is moving forward, in better shape and closer to done than it was before, you're writing. Now, you still have to sit down and get the words out, you know, tell the story. Thinking and planning is not going to get your work in front of readers, but that doesn't mean you need to be hard on yourself if you don't sit down and type every second of every day.
Outline, plan, interview your characters, listen to them, look at things from as many angles as you can... it's all part of the process, and you have to allow yourself the grace to find your own. Just remember: your story will never get told if you aren't the one to tell it.
'Writing time' does not equal 'typing time'.
I spend a lot of time thinking about my stories and my characters before I sit down to write them. Outlining, backstory, character motivations/characteristics, etc., a lot of table-setting has to happen before I can sit down and actually write anything out in prose. I'm working the story, asking questions, interrogating my choices (and the characters'), solving problems before I make them... that's all part of the process of writing. Just because I don't do it at the keyboard while I'm in the process of actually typing doesn't change that.
I'm not writing this to be defensive or to justify myself, (I don't have to, I'm happy with my process), but to let you know that if you struggle with time management or flagellate yourself for not banging your head against the keyboard during your dedicated 'writing time', that it's okay! As long as you are making progress, and working on the story, it's writing. So is editing and proofreading. Likewise, taking steps to improving your craft (how-to books, podcasts, writer interviews, all that stuff that help you improve) is not wasted time, either. I don't think that I would count it towards 'writing time', but it is still taking active steps towards the goal of finishing your book. Daydreaming about what you're going to spend your royalties on or whatever is absolutely not.
I won't get into the ancillary stuff like marketing, cover design, etc, that's a separate kettle of monkeys, and requires different thinking.
But as long as you're thinking about your characters or your story, and making choices, solving problems (saving yourself work down the line), you're writing. You're engaging your writer's brain and doing the things you need to do to help get your story told! If you do that while walking the dog or washing dishes or whatever, you're still getting it done! I've gotten as much done on long walks as I have sitting at my desk, it all counts.
So if you struggle with self-flagellation or feeling like you're not doing 'what you should be doing,' it's okay. As long as your story is moving forward, in better shape and closer to done than it was before, you're writing. Now, you still have to sit down and get the words out, you know, tell the story. Thinking and planning is not going to get your work in front of readers, but that doesn't mean you need to be hard on yourself if you don't sit down and type every second of every day.
Outline, plan, interview your characters, listen to them, look at things from as many angles as you can... it's all part of the process, and you have to allow yourself the grace to find your own. Just remember: your story will never get told if you aren't the one to tell it.
No comments have been added yet.
