laughing lioness Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Words per day, pages per day, a writing club? Do you have seperate re-write times (apart from writing?) Do you outline/plot first? Is it different for non fiction than fiction? Needing your best tools, tricks and tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I am on the path to become an organized and disciplined writer, so I'm not sure how helpful I'll be. I tend to follow my bliss with my fiction. I write in November and June for Nanowrimo and another writing contest. I have several WIPs in various stages. I also write throughout the year, but the last two years have been disorganized because of life situations. School and life have to be my priorities for now, so I consider myself in the training phase. I jump around on projects. I've kept track of word count, stories I'm writing, tried a writing journal. I haven't quite found the system that truly works for me. I have projects spread out on 3 computers and one of my goals this summer is to create some organization about it. I did just start writing some content online as a job. It's all contract writing, so you can work when you want. The flexibility is great. Since we're out of school I'm trying to keep to a schedule of at least part-time 4 hours a day. We're only on week 2 of break so I'm still working out the kinks. I have a goal in mind, and I think that is the main thing with your writing. Ds is off at my parents this week and this is a glimpse of how it might be once he's off at college (whether he's at home for that or not). So far this week I've determined I need to be disciplined about time structure. I'm not a great housekeeper, but it's amazing how much I need to get done when I should be writing. The curtains are crooked, the TV needs dusting. I'm highly distractable. I haven't written a lot of non-fiction, but I would structure it differently than I do fiction. I like to let characters sit in my head and brew, I rarely outline passed a vague synopsis. With non-fiction, I'd need a bit more structure up front. The best thing I've done is carry around a journal and just jot down ideas as they come. I date them. It's amazing the wonderful ideas I get and then forget to write down. I'm sure there's a best seller idea that has been lost in my head. :tongue_smilie: I even keep paper and pen handy if I'm watching TV. Sometimes I'll get inspired by a line or some aspect of a character. I have a long way to go before I hit many of my goals. I've learned so much about myself in the process, it's been worth the meandering path I've chosen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I don't keep track. It's helpful to think about a story when you're in bed at night and keep a writing pad on the nightstand to make notes. And a flashlight if you don't want to disturb your spouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I can answer for DH. Words per day, pages per day, a writing club? Words per day. Do you have seperate re-write times (apart from writing?) Yes. He usually knocks out a first draft in 4-6 weeks. That's when he has words-per-day goals. Rewriting is a separate phase. Do you outline/plot first? Judging from the number of times he's complained about not knowing what happens next or having written himself into a corner, I'm going to go with No. Is it different for non fiction than fiction? Can't comment. He only writes fiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbhrbooth Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Words per day, pages per day, a writing club? Do you have seperate re-write times (apart from writing?) Do you outline/plot first? Is it different for non fiction than fiction? Needing your best tools, tricks and tips. Fiction - Daily work: I use 750words.com daily to get blood flowing then start work on current WIP. Overall project usually follows this routine: I do outline first, then fast draft, then many, many revisions. Beta reader. Revisions, revisions, Then crit groups. Revisions, revisions, revisions. Last read. Then submit. Start over with new project. Non-fiction (for me, this is freelance work, not NF book) - daily work is completely assignment driven. Overall routine: Outline sketch, research, outline sketch, research, 1st draft, research, 2nd draft, 3rd draft. Reader. 4th-100th drafts. Proofreader. Make corrections. Let sit min. 24 hrs. Submit. I'm fascinated with a writer's process (and her workspace!) but I've learned each writer does things differently. Elizabeth George has a good process book called Write Away in which she goes into detail about her highly organized writing process. If you are looking for a temporary template then that's a good start. However, don't be discouraged if you can't follow her process. My experience was to try on a few dozen "routines" before I had the confidence to build my own, using bits and pieces from these other templates. (Especially with fiction.) As long as you're writing, then you're making process. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbhrbooth Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I can answer for DH.Judging from the number of times he's complained about not knowing what happens next or having written himself into a corner, I'm going to go with No. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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