At the recent Writers' & Artists' Yearbook conference, we heard a fascinating talk from Julie Myerson about how she got published, and how she works.
She felt the impetus to get started on her first novel when she had two small children and was pregnant with her third. She was also working. Overall - not ideal! But the urge to write overcame the obstacles, and she worked at night and at weekends.
A perceptive audience member asked whether she found it harder to write when she secured a contract, and was able to pay for childcare and work during the day. Julie said no, she found it easiest to write in the mornings, so that first novel really was written under pressure for her.
This post isn't intended to imply that if Julie Myerson can produce a book while looking after small children and being pregnant - you too can do it. Having done both - I can't imagine how she did it!
We often wait for the 'right time' before we start a project, particularly something that feels as momentous as writing a book.
I know in my case, this is often a cover for procrastinating!
Julie's story made me realise - again - that waiting for the perfect time to start a creative project often just means waiting. And it's possible to carve some time and space out of the busiest life and just get started.
What's holding you back, what pressures do you work under? - and how do you think you'd react if those pressures weren't there?
Best regards,
(editorial consultant)
Find out more in our video with Julie Myerson here »
Greetings, earthlings!!!
Yesterday, just as I was trying to finish a chapter which would signify that it's time for the first edit of what's been written so far, my brother found that to be the best moment for him to take his bed apart, make huge amount of noise and drag things on the floor next to my bedroom doors. At first, I found a cure. Josef and Johannes Strauss. They're loud and they're great. Nothing like good classical music when you're writing a conflict scene. Sadly, the scene lasted only so long and so did the music. The voices and dragging grew louder so I gave up for an hour or two.
Then, when all was relatively peaceful, I went to bed with three sheets of paper, wrote 6 pages of the rest of the chapter and went to sleep.
The point is...
I love writing in peace and quiet. As life would have it, I rarely get any of those things. But that is not the reason for me to stop writing. As a matter of fact, I've decided that my next "big investment" will be supreme headphones (or ear plugs), to drown out all the noise.
I think that will do the trick, even partially.
Distractions are a part of life and their duty is to test the will and dedication of the writer (or any other person who has to or wants to do something). The duty of each individual is to fight it or fall under it in the process. Falling is not something I plan on doing when writing is concerned, so I march on.
All best to you all!
There's a reason why procrastination takes such a long time to say. It mirrors the process it describes exactly.