“Most of what is best in writing isn’t done deliberately.”― Madeleine L’Engle
One Liner Wednesday is hosted by Linda G Hill.
The first Wednesday of the month is time for a post for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. This month’s (optional) question is:
What steps have you taken to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?
I am glad this is optional because my answer would be pretty brief. I have been taking a break or mini sabbatical from regular writing, a period of rest or leave. Resolved to not have a schedule at this time. In a bit of flux about where my writing is going. I have made an effort to write Flash Fiction for the Write…Edit…Publish WEP Blogfest. Just finished one for the December Challenge, Redwood. And it did take effort to sit down and write that piece. I had an idea I wanted to explore in the beginning and once I got it started it took on a life of its own in that new ideas did come to me as I wrote it. I am proud of my story. It takes courage to write creatively in that I am putting a part of me out there, making that effort. I do think that Flash Fiction is an interesting form of writing. Another scheduled writing I have been pretty consistent with is Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Seems like I do have a bit of a schedule in place after all. To write my blog at least once a week and participate in WEP.
“In the final exam in the Chaucer course we were asked why he used certain verbal devices, certain adjectives, why he had certain characters behave in certain ways. And I wrote, ‘I don’t think Chaucer had any idea why he did any of these things. That isn’t the way people write.’
I believe this as strongly now as I did then. Most of what is best in writing isn’t done deliberately.”
― Madeleine L’Engle, A Circle of Quiet
Insecure Writer’s Support Group, #IWSG, is co-hosted this month by: Tyrean Martinson, The Cynical Sailor, Megan Morgan, Rachna Chhabria, and Jennifer Lane. Featured image ‘A girl writes with a quill at a portable writing-desk’ from Instruction and Amusement for the Young, 1830 via wikimedia.org
Notes Tied On The Sagebrush 
I am plodding along the same path/rut I’ve been in. Maybe I’ll feel better if I tell myself “I have a schedule” – I think I’ll go with what works. Good luck to you, Deborah.
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I would say maybe try something new while you continue with the other things you have been doing. I want to do what works for me. Thank you, Dan. 🙂
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If it works for you, I think it shows in your writing. At least that’s what I tell myself.
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Ok but you mentioned rut. I discovered I could write Flash Fiction or 100 word stories by just trying it out. I did not know I could do it until I tried it. Just in case you ever want to try something new. 🙂
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Ha ha – I might try some new things. I probably shouldn’t have said ‘rut’ – I don’t feel stuck. I meant that it might look like that. I do take stock of things from time to time, though.
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Well glad to hear you are not in a real rut. 🙂
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Yes. You’re not putting steps in because you are already walking the path! Carry on.
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Thank you, Jan. That gives me some encouragement. 🙂
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Although I have this ongoing – at least a line every day – writing schedule, and I’m currently using a twice a day writing schedule Monday through Friday, I think that sometimes we need to loosen up the schedule to find the freedom for creativity. It sounds like you have a great plan in place with WEP and your blog.
BTW – I think that over-planning can kill a piece of writing, so I happen to enjoy your quote by L’engle.
Happy Writing in 2018!
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I am inspired by our own ability to create without a formula. Thank you, Tyrean, for sharing your thoughts about writing schedules and my writing schedule.
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Great question. I joined “Just Jot It January” in an effort to write something every day. It was only after I wrote yesterday’s entry that a story idea was born so it kind of supports what Madeleine l’Engle says. The only thing deliberate writing is sitting down and starting. The rest is a weird alchemy of words and intention. I think. Today. Maybe something different tomorrow!?
So pleased to have found you and your site, Deborah. The joys of blogging!
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Writing is magical isn’t it? Glad you found me and thanks for your comment. 🙂
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hard to tell if having a schedule helps with the writing or not. Do you have a hard time finding time or getting motivated? I love the SoCS, can just let it all ‘hang out’ and usually have enough time on weekends.
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I have been wondering where I am going with the writing. I am not writing a book or short story so I don’t need to be writing everyday. I have liked Flash Fiction but might be ready to try for something longer. I am not crazy about just blogging.
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I’ve been trying to get disciplined. I’ve been thrown out of work and unemployed for going on 3 years now and desperate to find some other way to earn an income.
I had heard blogging was a good possibility. A way to be location independent (which is a HUGE thing for me) and to earn a decent income. That’s why I originally started blogging. Of course, I still have not earned one cent from it!
But I’ve found other reasons to keep it up. Mainly the people I’ve met through it. 🙂
I’ve been trying to transition from working on the ocean my whole life, to something where I can live cheaply (outside the USA). I’ve been trying to figure out how to earn from my blog and also to write articles for others (magazines, online, etc).
I was also hoping to be able to sell some of my artwork through the blog and/or other places online. Still have not managed that either.
The blog has turned out to be a LOT more time consuming than I had thought it would be. I need to start writing shorter posts. 😉
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I do not know anything about making money with a blog but I know some people do. I know there are books and classes on it but I would not know any to recommend. You would need to research how to get into freelance writing and setting up a site to sell art. Blogging can be very time consuming.
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Yes, I’ve been to some writing and blogging workshops and invested in some online training. So far, I have not had any real progress with earning. I admit, mostly because I just can’t find the time to work at it as hard as I need to. It does take a LOT of time!
I do actually have my art on 3-4 different websites, but it looks like the same problem with getting traffic to a blog. How do you get yourself noticed? There are MILLIONS of other artists on those sites! I have not sold anything at all. 😦
I’ve also managed to get up the nerve and talk to a few local (my town and Galveston) gallery owners and restaurant managers. So far, I’ve placed my art in 2 galleries and have heard I get a lot of attention, everyone loves my work. But, not one sale.
I’ve gone to a couple of shows. Again, they all loved my work, no sales. It’s very discouraging. I don’t have the time to do these shows very often. The only reason I was able to do them was because I’ve been out of work for so long and just took a chance that no one would call me before the show. I have to wait til the last minute to sign up for that reason.
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Getting noticed. I have read that if you follow A Lot of other bloggers you can build up a large following eventually. Maybe focus on blogs having to do with art if you are trying to get a audience for your art. It is great that you got good reviews from the art galleries. It is an accomplishment to have a gallery accept your work for display, don’t you think? Hope you get more opportunities to show you work. 🙂
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Thank you Deborah,
Yes, I have heard that too. I do follow quite a few bloggers. Various subjects since I’m interested in all sorts of things. I find it super hard to keep up with it all, don’t you?
I follow Jason’s Opinionated Man blog. Somehow he keeps up with hundreds of followers, answers all their comments, etc. I don’t think he sleeps much. I just don’t have that much energy, even on the best of days. 😦
Yes, I was very happy and proud to have my art accepted. Just hoping one day someone will see something and buy it. 🙂 I
I enjoy making my art, but I really need to find some way to earn some income. I think I am going to be forced into retirement soon and I’m way too young for social security. I won’t even be eligible for the minimum for another 11 years. 😦
I know most people would call me arrogant, but I absolutely refuse to spend the rest of my life working at McDonalds or Walmart after spending so much time and effort to earn 2 college degrees and a masters license. I hate to imagine it, but I’ll starve first. It’s just very, very stressful trying to cope with the situation of long term unemployment due to the downturn offshore.
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Sounds like a tough situation and unfortunately you are not alone. AARP posts a lot on this topic and has been hosting job fairs online. One is coming up Jan 25. See the link for online career fair on this web page https://www.aarp.org/work/job-search/ I was in a local Job Hunting support group in my community for a bit a few years ago, it helps to have support and advice. Good luck with your job hunt. 🙂
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thanks Deborah, but I’m in a very specialized and fairly unusual profession. I go to the unemployment office every so often, hoping they’ll have something to help me out. They never have yet.
I will check out the link. Thanks for sharing it. Maybe someone else here can use it too.
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