When I started writing, it was a side project. I wanted to get stories out there, maybe make a career of this pasttime, and generally, just have fun.
Now, I KNOW I want this as a career, but I've had to make some changes as I discover who I am as a career writer.
1. Know your limits. You know if you're a morning or a night person. And if you don't know, then learn, but in general, stick to what you know of yourself and don't give yourself unreasonable goals (i.e. "get up at 6 am and write for two hours" when you've never gotten up at 6 am a day in your life OR "write 3,000 words" when you know you only have an hour to write that day)
2. Stick to your schedule. Once you know your limits, build your schedule--and stick to it!
3. Don't compromise when it comes to recovery time. You need to recover. Set aside ONE DAY each week to let your mind unwind, and don't compromise on that day being your "disconnect" day.
4. Don't ignore your muses. Seriously. Listen to what they say (your mind, your muse, whatever you call your creative flow), and WRITE. Don't overthink it. Don't question who will (or won't) like it. JUST WRITE.
5. Jot it down. If something comes to you, even on your "disconnect" or "break" days, or on days where you don't have time to write, jot down the idea you had. Just something simple. If it was a good idea, the jotted note will spark something; if it wasn't, don't worry over it.
6. Balance both ends. This means that many of us NEVER take breaks, which is why a recovery day is needed. Then there are those of us who stick religiously to our breaks even when this is the time we should be writing. Don't write too long. And don't break too long. Basically, find a balance. This leads to ...
7. In whatever you do, just be consistent (similar to the last). No matter what works for you, find a pattern to it, find your way, and what is the healthiest, richest experience for you--and dive in.
Now, I KNOW I want this as a career, but I've had to make some changes as I discover who I am as a career writer.
1. Know your limits. You know if you're a morning or a night person. And if you don't know, then learn, but in general, stick to what you know of yourself and don't give yourself unreasonable goals (i.e. "get up at 6 am and write for two hours" when you've never gotten up at 6 am a day in your life OR "write 3,000 words" when you know you only have an hour to write that day)
2. Stick to your schedule. Once you know your limits, build your schedule--and stick to it!
3. Don't compromise when it comes to recovery time. You need to recover. Set aside ONE DAY each week to let your mind unwind, and don't compromise on that day being your "disconnect" day.
4. Don't ignore your muses. Seriously. Listen to what they say (your mind, your muse, whatever you call your creative flow), and WRITE. Don't overthink it. Don't question who will (or won't) like it. JUST WRITE.
5. Jot it down. If something comes to you, even on your "disconnect" or "break" days, or on days where you don't have time to write, jot down the idea you had. Just something simple. If it was a good idea, the jotted note will spark something; if it wasn't, don't worry over it.
6. Balance both ends. This means that many of us NEVER take breaks, which is why a recovery day is needed. Then there are those of us who stick religiously to our breaks even when this is the time we should be writing. Don't write too long. And don't break too long. Basically, find a balance. This leads to ...
7. In whatever you do, just be consistent (similar to the last). No matter what works for you, find a pattern to it, find your way, and what is the healthiest, richest experience for you--and dive in.
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