Structure = Freedom: Making Time to Write – Guest Post by Ami Spencer
I used to believe that being a writer was all about finding inspiration. When the mood struck, I would sit down and write out lyrical sentences and inspired stories, but until then, I would go about the business of life. It took a while, but eventually I realized not much was getting written while I waited for inspiration to strike. Particularly because when inspiration did show up, I was generally busy with something else.
I learned my lesson when, on a whim, I decided to participate in NaNoWriMo. The goal of writing 50,000 words in a single month seemed impossible, but the tight deadline and a strict schedule of self-imposed writing appointments showed me exactly what a bit of structure can do for your creativity. I wrote “Writing Time” in my calendar each day, and sat down at the computer at the appointed time, as if it was a meeting that couldn’t be missed. (Almost) every day, I pounded out my 1,667 words. Sometimes I managed to eke out more, sometimes I found myself struggling and ended up with less, but I was writing on most days and it wasn’t all crap. In fact, I found that if I showed up to write, creativity was usually there waiting for me.
When NaNoWriMo was over, I hadn’t reached my goal, but I had managed to write almost 39,000 words—very possibly the most words I’ve ever written—during the month of November, in the midst of traveling and holiday planning. It was exactly the wake-up call I needed. I decided if I was going to write, I was going to have to make time for it. Clearly setting aside time was much more important than waiting for inspiration.
It may seem counterintuitive, but structure really can elicit creativity. Here are five ways scheduling writing time can free you to create:
Practice makes perfect(ish). The more often you write, the easier it will be to fall into that groove that we like to call “inspiration.” You won’t always come up with something amazing and brilliant, but the chances of that happening are certainly better if you’re writing regularly rather than only when you’re in the mood.
Even the difficult days will be productive. If you schedule regular time to write, but you find the muse is occasionally stubborn, you’ll still have plenty of previously created pieces to work on. There’s always editing and revising to be done, so even when you’re not creating new stuff, you can work on making previous work better. And sometimes working on an older piece can provide just the inspiration you need to start something new.
Anticipation stokes the fires. I regularly find that if I know I’ll be writing later, my mind is always searching for new ideas. I carry a notepad with me everywhere and jot down any thought, image or experience that might inspire me when I sit down at that computer. Just the anticipation of writing can get my creative juices flowing.
Deadlines are a driving force. Scheduling your own deadlines may also improve productivity. While some people find deadlines stifling to their creativity, others find the pressure of a looming deadline energizes them to create. If it works for you, use it.
Slow and steady wins the race. While the romanticized vision of a writer is someone who jots stories in her notebook at the drop of a hat or writes through the night because his muse won’t let him sleep, this isn’t the whole story. In order to complete a work of any length, it’s the writer who writes consistently and passionately who finishes the story. Creative fits and starts may happen, but steady work will ensure you get the writing done.
How do fit writing into your life? Do you prefer to work when inspiration strikes, or do you set aside time for writing on a regular basis?
Ami Spencer
Let me introduce you to Ami. Ami Spencer is a technical and freelance writer living in Baltimore, MD. She blogs about the writing life at Write Out Loud. Do pop over and have a look!
She has published articles in several local, regional and online publications. She is also a contributing blogger for several websites. Her writing generally focuses on health and wellness topics, the writing life, green living, women in business, and other general interest topics, but she also dabbles in fiction and creative non-fiction. Visit her website to view a partial portfolio and learn more about her.
I got to know Ami when she responded to my invitation to write a guest post here – and I’m very glad she did. If you’d like to write here in August the invitation is still open and the theme is “freedom”.
You raise some great points about scheduling our writing, Ami.
I’m especially mindful of the need to practice often – even if what I’m writing doesn’t appear any good at first run through. That’s the beauty of editing!
Also, setting oneself strict deadlines is a powerful motivator to actually producing the goods. Without an end-time limit in sight, very often we can drift with our words.
For me, deadlines really work- they are a form of self-editing which help me avoid wandering too much.
In journalism school, I learned to write on deadline. After getting out of the journalism mode, I found myself waiting for the writing moments or having to push to get a large amount of writing done. In a big way, blogging has changed that. The freedom of self expression, sites like this, blogs on passion — it has all helped me see writing can indeed flow more freely. Once the gate opened, the posts poured out. Writing on my e-book or re-visiting my 2/3s-finished novel, however is another matter. I struggle to “flow” in those areas.
Ami, I agree that the romanticized version of writing is so unlike reality. The only way I have found to write is to plant myself in a chair and write. I love what you said about anticipation. Never thought of it, but you are right. I am going to be more attuned to that. This was a great post and I look forward to reading more on your site. Thank you so much for the helpful tips!
Ami, thanks so much for spreading your blogging wings and sharing your experiences here.
Scott – are there different techniques you use to stick to self-imposed deadlines? I always find it rather too easy to negotiate my way out of them when they’re not absolute. (Maybe it’s a reaction to too many years of writing to ridiculous deadlines in the civil service!)
SpageAgeSage – you sound like me. I have no problem blogging (the problem would be stopping) but I do find it hard to get into the flow for a longer term project (a non-fiction book) I’m meaning to work on. I sometimes wonder if blogging uses up the creative energy – and that keeping some back might help if we have other bigger projects we need to work on?
Karen – the point about anticipation is valuable isn’t it – a bit like a signal to the unconscious mind that we want it to look out for nuggets for us. The same seems to happen when you go out regularly with the intention of taking photos
Joanna
Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and the great comments!
Scott – While I try to give myself deadlines for those personal writing projects that don’t come with hard deadlines, I’m with Joanna that it’s often too easy to let them slide. Any ideas for sticking to them would be welcome. I’ve tried different things–including bribing myself–but so far very few self-imposed deadlines have worked!
SpaceAgeSage – It looks like Joanna and I both have the same issue. Those seemingly bigger-than-life projects tend to get pushed to the wayside. Maybe Scott can help us figure out how to put ourselves on a deadline schedule.
Karen – You’re welcome. I only recently realized the “anticipation effect” and I’m practicing taking advantage of it now. Hope it helps you to discover new inspiration.
Joanna – Thanks so much for this opportunity. It’s great to be able to meet new writers and build my writing community. More than ever I’m realizing that supporting one another is as important as putting our butt in the chair and writing.
I absolutely agree. As part of an effort to reduce screen time, I started scheduling time to blog into my day and also setting a limit on my time. I found that not only did I become more creative, but my skills became more honed. I also carry around a notebook and make notes when a topic idea strikes me, but I’ve also let go of the idea that once I jot down a topic, I HAVE to write a post on it. If it doesn’t come easily, the idea gets scrapped.
Kayris, it’s a great feeling when we notice our muse responding to those limitations of form or time isn’t it? Sounds like you’re doing a good job of getting the words to flow – and staying out of the road of ‘shoulds’
Joanna
Ami, you’re very welcome. Supporting each other is important – and also very creative in itself (in my experience anyway)
Joanna
Kayris – Thanks for reminding us that an idea doesn’t HAVE to be expanded. I know that I sometimes get caught up in “have to” and start to resent the ideas. If they’re not coming easily and I can let them go, recognizing that I may or may not choose to come back to them later, that might help me avoid a bit of that writer’s anxiety I get when a piece isn’t flowing. Great point!
Ami,
What a wonderful piece you’ve written. I’m big on day planners. I really believe you can get more done when you have everything written down.
Yes, I believe in being spontaneous and having unplanned time, but often we don’t know where our time has gone when we don’t have it scheduled.
Very nice article.
Audrey
Audrey, that’s a good point – often the benefit comes after the event when we look back and see just what we’ve done! I’m glad you enjoyed Ami’s article
Joanna