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Started by X-man in Competitions Jan 5.
Started by X-man in Competitions Jan 5.
Started by X-man in General Writing Advice Jan 5.
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Posted by Heromode Kamodo on January 7, 2010 at 12:52pm
Posted by Brian L Porter on January 7, 2010 at 11:30am
Posted by Books In Sync on January 7, 2010 at 12:59am
Posted by Books In Sync on January 6, 2010 at 1:32am
Posted by Books In Sync on January 5, 2010 at 7:29pm
I compiled this list of novel-writing tips some years ago and revised it recently, while thinking about NaNoWriMo. However, it grapples with the entire process of writing a novel, from first to final draft. It occurred to me that those who've resolved to write a novel in 2010 may appreciate tips on just getting that first draft out in the world. My advice? Have a conflict, if not an entire plot. And set aside time on a regular basis to write. This could be an hour in the morning before you go to work, or three hours in a cafe every Monday evening. Just set aside some time and make it sacred. Then sit down during that time and write.
This is what's worked for me, but I'm just one person, and the process is different for everyone. The one thing I do know is that anyone who's determined to do it can get a first draft down in a year (heck, thousands do it every November). Have you successfully written a novel? What advice can you offer people who are writing one this year?
Resolution: Write a Novel originally appeared on About.com Fiction Writing on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 14:22:58.
Since the number one resolution on our New Year's poll so far is to make time to write, we wanted to spend some time on that resolution alone. The most important thing, of course, is to create time, but as people have pointed out in their responses to recent blog posts, that's easier said than done.
Teresa R. wrote in asking specifically about time management techniques. The most important time management skill for me is the ability to say "no," though it's something I have to continually work at. Sometimes I have a hard time separating out what I want to do and what I feel compelled to do. It makes it easy for people to take advantage of my time, so I've gotten good at knowing who my real friends are. So "yes" to the rare babysitting request from my best friend. "No" to coffee with the woman who always throws some little barb into every conversation. Instead, I haul my laptop to the coffee shop and work on my novel. (I keep the poem, "The Art of Disappearing" over my desk to remind myself that it's OK to say no.)
Of course, it's not always so cut and dried. For that reason, I try to write first thing in the morning. It's a time when people don't generally ask you for favors, when the phone doesn't ring. It causes my paying work to extend a little later each day, and this means that I'm not always available for other things in the evening. I try to order my day around my writing; this way I don't have to think about making writing a priority: it's built into my life.
So that's what I know about time management. Other people said that they'd started writing by hand again to avoid the Internet. Friends who write in the evenings turn off their phones while they work (could this be more important?). One poet I know negotiated with his employer to work longer every day and take Fridays off. (A novelist I knew worked out the same deal for Wednesday mornings.)
But there are so many practical ways to save time in general. How do you save time? Share your favorite time management tip below.
Resolution: Make Time to Write originally appeared on About.com Fiction Writing on Monday, January 4th, 2010 at 07:25:01.
Update: Dec.-Jan. Writing Challenge originally appeared on About.com Fiction Writing on Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 at 04:17:25.
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