Writing Routines: Flexibility
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
As any long-time reader of this blog will know, I love a routine. The more rote, the better. When I have these established routines, keeping up with my writing (and exercising and other tasks) is almost effortless.
But the really long-time readers of this blog will remember that when I started writing this blog in 2008, I had a couple of young children in the house. I still loved a routine, but I realized that I wasn’t going to get much writing done if I tried to follow one. Kids run on their own schedules of carpools, illnesses, and activities. So, although I was someone who liked a routine, I ended up working at being someone who could be flexible, too. Someone who could work in the in-between times. Someone who could squeeze out writing on demand and in very short periods of time.
And I think both of these methods (routine and flexible schedules) are important. Both of them work really well.
For tips for learning flexibility, see this post from August.
One of the tricks, I think, is being able to pivot. I’ve found it’s easier to pivot when I actually take a few minutes to look at my upcoming week/month/year and think about what might work best.
Consider asking these questions:
What still works overall?
When might you be able to get a few minutes of uninterrupted time?
Should you have shorter writing sessions?
If you have more time, should you intersperse longer sessions with other activities to maintain focus?
I’ve found that asking these types of questions can really help me maintain my writing activity, even when life goes through its ups and downs. Another thing I’ve tried to do is take a look at my day right in the middle of it, especially after a tough morning. Is there a way I can fit in just five minutes with my story? Is there a way I can reboot my day and feel as if I’m starting fresh?
How flexible are you with your writing routine? Has your routine changed over the years?
Writing Routines: The Importance of Flexibility:
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