Note: this post was originally part of a writing series, and some comments may refer to that.
Beginning a big new writing project can be daunting for some of us, especially if we haven’t done it before… or if we haven’t done it in a while, and we’re trying to get back into the groove. Here’s my advice for getting ready for a great month, season, or year of writing.
MAKE SPACE
You need a clean, quiet place to work. I actually recommend giving your whole home a good cleaning. Clutter can block creativity. Preparing a space for your writing sends a profound message to yourself that your project is worth something. It’s like cleaning up before an honored houseguest arrives.
However, if it would take months to get your whole place clean, it’s really okay! You just need one space that is cleaned up to be your place to write. This could just mean making your bed and cleaning off the table next to it, or vacuuming the couch and clearing off the coffee table.
If your home isn’t a viable workplace, because you have loud roommates, a family member or a spouse who constantly interrupts, or whatever, you’ll need to choose one or two external “offices.” Public libraries and coffeehouses are two popular choices.
Some restaurants and diners are open late into the night or 24/7, which can be invaluable for a novelist. Maybe you can go all the time, and after a while they’ll know you and ask, “the usual?” That’ll be nice, right?
If you use a laundromat to wash your clothes, those can be great places to write. So can the little café area at some grocery stores.
Even if you plan on mostly writing at home, an external office can be a nice alternative once in a while. They make it harder to get sidetracked.
MAKE TIME
Now is a good time to think about whether you have optional obligations or activities that don’t really enrich your life and might get in the way. Sometimes people feel guilty stepping down from an existing obligation or saying no to a new one. Don’t. You have as much right as anyone else to follow your passions and do what makes you happy.
If you are a parent, particularly of young kids and/or kids who require a lot of time and attention, you’ll have to figure out some strategies now to carve out writing time. The same goes for writers who are caretakers of aging parents or ill family members. I’m sorry to say this isn’t my area of expertise, but I bet you can get good advice from people who are dealing with the same things.
READ SOMETHING
Do you already know what kind of novel you’re going to write? Great! Go read a popular book in that genre.
Take notes. What works in the book? What doesn’t? Write down good lines. Think about how they did what they did.
For more about understanding your book’s genre, you might be interested in this post, too!
What do you do to prepare to write a novel and get into the groove? Let me know in the comments. Happy writing!
Some really great ideas in this schedule. I would have liked to join in, but I’ve already written the first draft and plan to start my full read through and edit on 5th Jan (the day the kids go back to school). I’m itching to get started.
Good luck to everyone who joins in.
Thanks, Suzanne. Happy New Year, and best of luck on your project!
Perfect timing that I recently stumbled across your blog as my aim for 2016 is to have a finished manuscript by the end of the year. I’m glad we’ve had an overview at the beginning of the year and will adapt it a little to suit my schedule, as I’ve already booked in a long holiday for August – breathing space reward 🙂
Great! August is actually a “down time” in this schedule, so that should be no problem! 🙂 (I really believe a person needs breaks along the way so they can come back to the work fresh.)
Happy New Year, Michelle!
Definitely. I’m feeling rejuvenated after my Christmas break and ready to dive back in 🙂 Happy New Year to you too Bryn 🙂
Great post. It’s perfectly timed for me as I want to start drafting the sequel to my first novel. So I’m with you! Good luck with your own plans this year.
Fantastic! I hope it’s a good tool for you, Kimberley. And thanks!
I’m starting to work on my first big project myself. I’ve been planning for a while, but I think I may try to keep to this schedule. I have a bit of planning done, but not too much…
Yeah, give it a try and see what you think! I hope you have a great writing year!
I finished the rough draft of The Vi-Purrs just before Thanksgiving and have been focusing on holidays and family, but now, I am at the end of a ‘down time’. Munchkins return to school on 1-4 and I dive into polishing/editing. Thus far, Kiara, who designs my covers, is the only one to get a glimpse & only because she needs to know what the book will be about so she can design a fitting cover. By mid-January, I hope to have my initial editing run complete and send Vi-Purrs to my beta readers and by February, I expect to have their feedback, make necessary alterations and then send it to my two favorite editors. Assuming everything goes well, 3-17 is the target launch date.
After that, I shall begin work on Me-YEOW!, which will be #5 of the Sea Purrtector Files.
It sounds like you have a great plan! I hope everything goes great — sounds like it will!
Fingers are crossed that we can both hold to our schedules.
Happy New Year! 2016 is the “Year of the Writer” for me. 🙂 I have two specific projects I’m finally ready to develop. It’s nice to get inspiration from your blog. I’ll be checking in quite often.
“Year of the Writer” — I love that, Teri! I bet you’ll do great things 🙂
I’m looking forward to all that you can share. I’m a learner at heart. Just had my second novel, Gotcha!, published and working on number 3 now. Will be using this course to pull together the 3 book cozy mystery that is rattling around in my head. Can’t wait! Am excited!
Jane, congratulations on the second novel! I hope this schedule works for you 🙂 Happy New Year!
Reblogged this on Happy Holly Project and commented:
Always willing to try something new, eh?
I’ve just adjusted my computer work schedule so I won’t be working all night Sunday night until Monday morning. (That whole one night a week all nighter nigh unto killed me)
It sounds like this is worth a try. And it is New Years after all, right?
So. Maybe I will.
*wonders how far she might get using this technique*
Ah, I hope you like it! And that sounds like a really good change to your schedule.
I really like your blog, by the way! Following!
I’m so excited for this series. Every time I try to sit down and write it feels so daunting that I haven’t been able to come up with a game plan. I think this will really help me. Thank you so much!
Ah thanks Erin, I hope it’s helpful for you! I felt the same way… it seemed like such a big job that I had to break it down into little steps. 🙂
what a great idea! I had just decided it is time to get more serious about daily writing, and also no more “seat-of-the-pants” stuff, so this is PERFECT!!
That’s awesome Kate! I hope you like the series!
Hopefully I’m not biting off more than I can chew, but this definitely looks interesting and like a doable challenge! I’m used to drafting in a month for NaNoWriMo, but I have problems following through for the rest of the year, and need to get more consistent.
Not sure that I’ll be able to afford a copy editor this year, but even if I just make it that phase, I’ll be very pleased.
Hey, worth a try, right? I love NaNoWriMo, but for me it’s hard to balance it with the rest of life… this is meant to fit into life more instead of taking over. 🙂
Yeah, not everyone can afford a professional copy editor! Just having a friend with an English degree play the role of copy editor can be a big help, if that’s a possibility. But that’s way down the road, as you say 🙂
How do I sign up?
I am trying to write my first novel, but get stuck and also lack self-confidence…
I think the course will be wonderful! What do I have to do?
Thanks!!
Alexandra
Hi Alexandra! You can do it! We’ll cheer you on! 🙂
There will be a blog post every Monday… you can follow the blog if you aren’t already so that you get email notifications and make sure you don’t miss one. There’s a place on the righthand side of the page that you can click.
All you have to do is follow the weekly assignments, and you can talk about how it’s going in the comments!
I’m doing it. Desk is cleared off and organized.
::cracks knuckles::
Yay! Let me know what you think!
I can’t wait to get started!! You are an inspiration. Thank you.
Go Sylvie! I hope you like it!
I’m going to finish my Bringer Trilogy following along with your assignments! I’m so relieved to have this since I skipped out on Nano last year. Thank you!!
Oh my gosh! YOU KNOW how much I love the Bringer trilogy! This is such an honor. I’ll try to make it good!
Tiedemies sanoi… Jos siviiliavioliitto on siis mielestäsi juridisesti pätevä, niin miksi kirkon pitäisi saada sanoa, kuka sen saa somia? Kirkolla ei tietenkään pidä olla mitään sanomista siviiliavioliittoihin. Puhuin siitä, että homojen ei pidä pakottaa kirkkoja vihkimään homlpareja.Kirkolliseloa vihkimisellä ei pidä olla mitään juridista merkitystä. Vain siviilivihkimisen pitää olla juridisesti pätevä. Kirkkohäät ovat kirkon sisäinen asia. Kirkkohäiden pitää olla pelkkä uskonnollinen seremonia, jolla ei ole mitään juridista merkitystä.
I’m really excited for this and 2016 in general! I’m hoping I’ll be able to follow your outline; I know I tend to procrastinate and let other things get in the way, but I’m really going to try!! 😀
That’s great! I hope it works for you. 🙂 And I hope your 2016 is legendary!
I have been researching for months on a viable plan that would work for me and this one sounds like a winner. I started writing my first novel using the Writing the Middle first but I really need to stay on a schedule. I look forward to following your plan.
Great to have you on board, Faye! I hope the schedule suits you!
I’m so glad I found your blog! I’ve finished my first novel, which is in the Beta stage, and now I’m tackling the outline for book two.
Thank you for being so organized, lol, and willing to help fellow writers 🙂
Congratulations on finishing the first novel, Crystal! That’s awesome. Hope this schedule works for you!
Bryn – I finally read this first post and it amazes me how much you and I think alike. In addition to making all those “lists,” I also read fiction and note examples of gestures, characterization, settings that I believe are how I want to pattern my writing after. I probably won’t follow your blueprint exactly as laid out because I currently am revising a novella and mystery novel, in addition to reading and researching books to help my write more descriptively and vividly. However, since I have 70% the first draft of another mystery novel completed, my plan is to read through your blueprint and hopefully participate more actively from time to time. I’m a real stickler for organization and planning and outlining, so I expect your blueprint will improve my process. Thanks for putting this together!
Ah you’re welcome! Yes, we definitely think alike. 🙂 To be honest, I don’t know if anyone’s following it exactly, which is just fine! I think some people may drop in for the editing portion of the year 🙂
Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
Well, you know, while I don’t need to start a story with my house immaculate, I do find that if I’m stuck, cleaning my place helps me get back on gear. Kind of strange, but it works for me.
And I’m just out of an insane April, completed the AtoZChallenge with a mess going on around it, which had reminded me once more: you’ll never have time. If you really want to write, you need to MAKE the time for it 😉