Writing discipline problem?

Question

I'm retired after a moderately successful magazine writing and editing career -- freelanced for 40 publications. I've started into speculative work that I didn't risk earlier while raising my kids. It's a good start, with lots of notes for a dozen fictions, either novels or screenplays.

But for a couple of years I've mostly procrastinated, averaging just an hour a day on real writing work. It's a lifelong pattern: giving days to friends or family, home chores or email, or "noble" community work like Amnesty International, then lazing away my evenings with tv movies.

Maybe the sheer amount of work is daunting me. It could be some underlying fear, since I've never published fiction. Or maybe it's poor discipline, poor work habits that stem from not having deadlines. Whatever's holding me back, I'm tired of it.

What do you recommend, doctor?

Answer 1

It sounds like you already know what's holding you back... probably a mixture of everything you mentioned!

Schedule yourself. You could try committing a certain number of days/hours to your work where you refuse to do anything else other than write. Don't turn on your internet connection and you won't be tempted to check e-mail except when you've scheduled time to do so. Maybe consider working outside of the home so that you're away from distractions. If the amount of work is daunting you, schedule that too. "On __ day I will work on this specific project and nothing else." Give yourself firm deadlines; you're used to having them when freelancing so it could help push you to finish more fiction.

Answer 2

Try looking at your writing as just another project that you give time to. Perhaps you have viewed your writing in the past as a "hobby" that's not really serious.
Now things are changing for you, obviously. You have a new job and that's the job of a writer.

It seems that you were very disciplined in your previous work and managed to get your work done, probably often under deadline.

You could set yourself a regular work schedule. Just as if you were going to an office. With certain off times, such as for a coffee break, a lunch break, and time off on weekends and holidays. And when you're finished with your book, take a vacation.

Maybe you aren't afraid of failure - anyone can fail easily. But ask yourself if you're afraid of success. Is that possible?

It also helps to subscribe to a few writers magazines and join writers organizations. That way you'll be amongst your peers and you'll see that there are many approaches to writing successfully.

Also keep in mind that even just a page a day makes a novel in a year. Ideally, you should be working faster. Much faster. Perhaps set yourself a daily page or weekly page goal? Let's say you plan to write 20 pages between Monday and Saturday, then you can write them anytime during those 6 days. As long as you get them done. If you write the 20 pages already on Monday and Tuesday then you're home free for the week to do other things.

Hope that helped a little!

I wish you much success with your writing. Just try to find the routine that suits YOU best.

Answer 3

I recommend that you think about your age. You are aging - you have less energy than when you were younger. Improve your diet by cutting out processed foods - that is, only eat something that you prepared yourself from the primary ingredients. Start walking and make the distances farther each day (or just look at your watch and try to cover more distance in the same amount of time each day), then walk faster until you can get a slow, easy run. Keep it to under an hour and it won't take up your whole morning. Drink a lot of water. Then when you feel more energetic, write. After writing, you can goof off. If you can be disciplined doing some exercise, you can manage to use the same skills 'going the distance' with writing.

Answer 4

I do the same thing, here are some hints my thesis advisor gave me:

set up a journal -- first thing in the morning free write -- it gets you going -- write the nagging crap that keeps you from writing -- or about the other stuff you end up researching instead of writing -- anything that may be getting in the way of your "real" writing.

make a list -- right of the top of your head -- NO THINKING -- of 5 people you admire -- in the academic or writing world if possible -- then think about how they would react to your work -- and know how they respect the work and effort involved and how they would support it -- and only think of them -- ignore the negative thoughts.............

One other thing I have started doing -- I am traditionally a linear writer -- start with my thesis statement and write from start to finish. With a large project (like a thesis or book) you just can't do that.

Sit down and break things down into chapters or topics. Then sit down and again WITHOUT THINKING deeply -- write down 15 questions that the reader would want answered -- I use this for research work -- but I think it can work for fiction........

then go back and get rid of the 5 least fitting or appropriate -- sit down and answer the questions -- you will have most of your work written -- then go back and clean it up and flesh it out..........

Hope this helps.

Celebrate the hour a day you do -- and maybe it will help you feel like you want to do it more.

Answer 5

Try a picnic table in a deserted park in the summer and an out of the way table in a new coffee shop at other times. This will get you away from friends family tv telephone chores. Bring your laptop. Don't buy a paper. Don't bring your cell phone or leave it in the car. Finding an appropriate coffee shop can be an adventure. You'll have to find one where the help will let you hang out.

Answer 6

First decide how important the writing is to you. If it is hobby writing, don't worry about it.

If it is important, start treating it like a job. Put it first on your schedule in the morning. The BEST time to write is right after you get up. No email. It can wait. No errands. That's after you write. NOTHING on your schedule before you've done at least 500 words.

You'll get into a routine and your family will learn to respect your writing time. It'll take a while, but it's worth it.

Answer 7

Stephen King has a book out on how to write. I'm paraphrasing but something on the order of 2000 words per day one needs to write in order to get good enough to sell ones work. He also, again I'm paraphrasing, skip TV and --write. In summary, just read his book.