Timely post, Chris! I used the sprint to finish my second novel, but now I’m faced with getting into novel prep routine with a mountain of other things demanding my attention. One thing I’ve done is set a deadline to finish the important tasks and use a meeting I have tomorrow to talk climate change for my third novel, to kickstart prep. 🤞 I hope you get back into writing, too, Chris!
So helpful! Love the idea of not looking back and accepting a new season to your routine. I am going to try this and your other suggestions to get back on track. I write daily for five years and then a move, the loss of my writing space, and just life have kept me from getting back to that.
Yes, it's the September swing of trying to get out of the change of pace in the summer. Thanks for these great ideas. I've already tweaked my environment and will look at anchoring in to something that already happens.
Just added a few of these to my toolkit! I used to beat myself up for falling out of rhythm, but I’ve learned to be gentler with myself when I return. A few things that help me:
• I bank time in my week and show up, even if I’m not focused.
• I read, sometimes my own drafts, sometimes other writers, until the spark returns.
• I write about the disruption itself; what pulled me away often turns into material.
• And I channel interviews and podcasts with other writers to remind me I’m not alone and give me a push.
Mostly, I’ve learned the routine always comes back if I make space for it.
August was great even when I shorten my holidays when my cat became sick. I stuck to it. But then, I went back to work, my cat became sicker and died and my routine is lost. Right now, I'm too deep into my grief to want to write but I know it'll come back.
I’m so sorry to hear about your cat, Claire. No wonder your routine’s been knocked off course. Be gentle with yourself – the writing will be there when you’re ready.
I’ve just been lamenting how difficult it is to build any kind of routine at the moment- summer or no summer! - so I’m really grateful for these practical, unfluffy tips!
Timely post, Chris! I used the sprint to finish my second novel, but now I’m faced with getting into novel prep routine with a mountain of other things demanding my attention. One thing I’ve done is set a deadline to finish the important tasks and use a meeting I have tomorrow to talk climate change for my third novel, to kickstart prep. 🤞 I hope you get back into writing, too, Chris!
Well done on finishing the second novel, Shireen – and great idea to use that meeting as a kickstart into prep. Good luck with number three!
Thank you, Chris!
So helpful! Love the idea of not looking back and accepting a new season to your routine. I am going to try this and your other suggestions to get back on track. I write daily for five years and then a move, the loss of my writing space, and just life have kept me from getting back to that.
Yes, it's the September swing of trying to get out of the change of pace in the summer. Thanks for these great ideas. I've already tweaked my environment and will look at anchoring in to something that already happens.
Super news thanks for letting us know Donna :)
Just added a few of these to my toolkit! I used to beat myself up for falling out of rhythm, but I’ve learned to be gentler with myself when I return. A few things that help me:
• I bank time in my week and show up, even if I’m not focused.
• I read, sometimes my own drafts, sometimes other writers, until the spark returns.
• I write about the disruption itself; what pulled me away often turns into material.
• And I channel interviews and podcasts with other writers to remind me I’m not alone and give me a push.
Mostly, I’ve learned the routine always comes back if I make space for it.
Indeed timely post.
August was great even when I shorten my holidays when my cat became sick. I stuck to it. But then, I went back to work, my cat became sicker and died and my routine is lost. Right now, I'm too deep into my grief to want to write but I know it'll come back.
I’m so sorry to hear about your cat, Claire. No wonder your routine’s been knocked off course. Be gentle with yourself – the writing will be there when you’re ready.
Thankyou
I’ve just been lamenting how difficult it is to build any kind of routine at the moment- summer or no summer! - so I’m really grateful for these practical, unfluffy tips!
Glad the tips helped, Michelle - routines are tough to pin down at the best of times. Hope some of these give you a way back in.