tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post5914749033159226726..comments2023-12-31T20:43:08.499-05:00Comments on THE STILETTO GANG: Writing Schedules, Writing SetbacksUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-87744167586233450842011-07-01T08:50:40.842-04:002011-07-01T08:50:40.842-04:00This post came at the perfect time. I am running u...This post came at the perfect time. I am running up against a deadline this week when Life happened, and my dog got bitten by a brown recluse. Suffice it to say, the entire week has been touch and go (my dog has a good prognosis now, thank God) but it's been difficult to get back into that "other world" - which feels sometimes like a parallel universe. I will start implementing many of these suggestions today!p.m.terrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18273480078983379734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-89247005546631118922011-06-30T19:52:32.829-04:002011-06-30T19:52:32.829-04:00Marilyn--Sounds like you've got your hands ful...Marilyn--Sounds like you've got your hands full, too! Good luck with your plan Z. :)Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-38365545678033502902011-06-30T10:23:52.582-04:002011-06-30T10:23:52.582-04:00This is a problem for mos writers although I know ...This is a problem for mos writers although I know Betty Webb treats her writing like an 8 hour job--but she has no kids--does make a difference. I don't have any young kids anymore, but my son and his family live right next door, a daughter 5 minutes away, granddaughter and her kids about 10 minutes away. Plus I have all the distractions already mentioned.<br /><br />MarilynMarilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04179984154939161530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-57855263320539266782011-06-30T09:31:47.875-04:002011-06-30T09:31:47.875-04:00The Daring Novelist--I think the advantage of Taco...The Daring Novelist--I think the advantage of Taco Bell is the lack of wi-fi! When Mc Donald's starting giving free wi-fi, I thought, "Wonderful!" But then I remembered the implications of it, and decided it wasn't so great after all!<br /><br />Saw a fantastic piece on Nova last night about dreaming...and it did include some data on dreaming and creativity. Very interesting!<br /> <br />K.B. Owen--I'll *admit* that in the summer I take advantage of my kids' screen time. I figure that an hour isn't going to kill them...but I try to prepare in advance so that I take the *most* advantage possible....no social media open, and at least a vague idea what I'm going to write. :)<br /><br />Paul--Oh, gosh, the guilt! Yes, hard to escape it. But we've got to. Our writing is important, too.<br /><br />Clarissa--It really does help, doesn't it?Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-75814239363404171472011-06-30T07:37:38.047-04:002011-06-30T07:37:38.047-04:00Great tips. I like the one where you close all soc...Great tips. I like the one where you close all social media windows. I've been doing that and it helps a lot.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-81917358725275325732011-06-30T05:56:59.145-04:002011-06-30T05:56:59.145-04:00I like your plan of spending at least one full hou...I like your plan of spending at least one full hour writing with no social media stuff open. I might try that.<br /><br />My writing times are really precious to me, but I'm still in the stage of learning that it's okay to shut myself away for a couple of hours a day to work and that I shouldn't feel guilty for it. This means if I miss out on some writing time, I'm only likely to feel tense until my next change to write comes along.Paul Anthony Shortthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14393249001158230985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-53447021270531662932011-06-29T22:31:32.237-04:002011-06-29T22:31:32.237-04:00Hi, Elizabeth -
I love your ideas here. Things we...Hi, Elizabeth -<br /><br />I love your ideas here. Things were ticking along ok for me until...summer break! Now it's kids at home who either a) want to to things, or b) don't want to do anything but sit in front of the computer or videogame. I much prefer a, even though b would be better for writing. I can usually sneak in some morning time, when everyone's too groggy for expectations to be very high! I like your set-up the night before idea, as well as your escape the house idea! (especially since the dirty dishes and dirty laundry languish like a perpetual reproach).<br /><br />Thanks!K.B. Owenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09510886155613873085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-90711153564729291412011-06-29T22:05:28.116-04:002011-06-29T22:05:28.116-04:00The list is important. I made the mistake of star...The list is important. I made the mistake of staring in on a write-a-thon without that darned list, and three days in I've stumbled because of that. <br /><br />As for my runaway-from-home place -- I tend to go to Taco Bell or other fast food joints. I don't particularly like the food, but I started doing this as a college student (a long long time ago) when Taco Bell was the first to offer free refills on pop. <br /><br />As for Plan Z -- I love to write late at night. That's my prime dreamtime.The Daring Novelisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01676188266569869059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-65048468038917155702011-06-29T19:44:14.175-04:002011-06-29T19:44:14.175-04:00Helen--You know, that's why I have to leave th...Helen--You know, that's why I have to leave the house sometimes to write. If I'm at home, I'm thinking I need to load/unload the dishwasher, throw a load of laundry in, defrost chicken for supper...sometimes I have to escape the guilt!Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-39285334130154120702011-06-29T19:03:19.776-04:002011-06-29T19:03:19.776-04:00Luckily (sort of), my kids are grown, so I tend to...Luckily (sort of), my kids are grown, so I tend to have more time. But that doesn't mean I get more done. Other things pop up, but I love the days when I can write and write. But I should be doing what you're doing - leaving the house, phone, dirty floors, and unmade beds.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-78102791966353555302011-06-29T17:47:52.459-04:002011-06-29T17:47:52.459-04:00Enid--I love it! So you spur each other on. Great...Enid--I love it! So you spur each other on. Great idea! I think that must be why NaNoWriMo does so well...support from other writers. :)Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-25376117633766230682011-06-29T17:08:39.943-04:002011-06-29T17:08:39.943-04:00I've found a plan z! I sprint write with buddi...I've found a plan z! I sprint write with buddies. And it works.<br /><br /><a href="http://steamyfantasy.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow"> Chemical Fusion</a>Enid Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12248877161249788607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-14846532004574232312011-06-29T14:05:23.870-04:002011-06-29T14:05:23.870-04:00Margot--I love voice recording. I've texted my...Margot--I love voice recording. I've texted myself a time or two, too. :)<br /><br />Lady Gwen--I'll admit that I work better under a deadline...even ones that I set for myself!<br /><br />Karen--I think I do scare people when I go out to write. :) So intense!<br /><br />And I know what you mean about the words. Sometimes I just have to ask myself, "And THEN what happened?" a few times in a row. Or say, "What if *such-and-so* happened?"<br /><br />Heather--Sometimes even just opening the Word program is a success!<br /><br />Alex--You've got to have movie nights! Besides, that's where you find some of your inspiration, I know.<br /><br />Teresa--I used to be really bad with it, for non-writing things. I had this "I've got to stick to the plan!" mentality. Then I found it wasn't serving me well, so I changed. :)<br /> <br />Maryann--I couldn't agree with you more! I think adapting is incredible important...both to get writing done and to survive in this changing industry.Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-64000510016877070872011-06-29T13:54:42.563-04:002011-06-29T13:54:42.563-04:00I think being flexible and able to adapt is right ...I think being flexible and able to adapt is right up there with tenacity when it comes to succeeding as a writer. You just have to keep doing it, no matter how many plans you fall back on. Great reminder, Elizabeth.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-71317630685590253902011-06-29T13:30:43.955-04:002011-06-29T13:30:43.955-04:00Sometimes my best plan to write is just to find ti...Sometimes my best plan to write is just to find time every day to write. I always make sure I have some way to write on the go too. <br /><br />I like your Plan A, B, and C. We have to have them for everything.T. Powell Coltrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160774009926623671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-29494478074957644202011-06-29T13:02:53.392-04:002011-06-29T13:02:53.392-04:00I try an write five nights a week when I'm wor...I try an write five nights a week when I'm working on a manuscript. Movie nights though, that is out the window!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-40331678885612916002011-06-29T12:36:43.988-04:002011-06-29T12:36:43.988-04:00When I'm working on a new novel I try to write...When I'm working on a new novel I try to write 1,000 words a day, five days a week. Giving myself two days off refreshes me and keeps my imagination working. Some days just a new paragraph is a success though and allowing myself that helps.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-56104215238190238782011-06-29T12:01:24.853-04:002011-06-29T12:01:24.853-04:00Great post Elizabeth. Get Out Of Writing Free Card...Great post Elizabeth. Get Out Of Writing Free Card?!! I love it. I give myself too many of those, though. *sigh*. Good thing I don't have anyone breathing down my neck - yet (wish I did, lol!).Gwen Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13132836346305559246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-274190257331031552011-06-29T11:54:33.760-04:002011-06-29T11:54:33.760-04:00Elizabeth - I think having backup writing plans is...Elizabeth - I think having backup writing plans is absolutely essential! Your ideas - especially finding another place to be if you can - are so useful. I do that myself sometimes. Today's technology at least allows voice recording, quick notes and so on. When I have to write on the go, I use voice recording, and I've even been known to text ideas to myself. It works when it all hits the fan just when you were getting a good idea. <br />I'd also like to add that on THOSE DAYS, it's good to remember that even one sentence is more than you had...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-62642966878133046672011-06-29T11:51:55.005-04:002011-06-29T11:51:55.005-04:00Stiletto Gang--Thanks so much! It's always a s...Stiletto Gang--Thanks so much! It's always a struggle, isn't it, to balance all the different things in our life and still get writing done! Thanks so much for having me. <br /><br />Vicky--I think the *only* way to survive the crush is to realize that something has to give. And different days, it's different things...sometimes the house doesn't look great, sometimes the meal we're eating isn't all that healthy, sometimes the kids wear mismatched clothes. But I've come to the realization that we can't do it all (well, maybe Martha Stewart can! But she has a staff. :) )<br /><br />Susan--The challenges always show up, don't they! Yay for Plan B. :)Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-8275130967607199052011-06-29T11:25:45.866-04:002011-06-29T11:25:45.866-04:00Elizabeth, thanks for visiting with us today! Lov...Elizabeth, thanks for visiting with us today! Love your post. Every time I think I'm going to have a day (or a few days or a week) of uninterrupted writing time, that's when disaster always strikes. Never fails. Good thing you have Plans B and C to fall back on. ;-) <br /><br />Cheers,<br />SusanSusan McBridehttp://SusanMcBride.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-3646408481232621252011-06-29T10:07:47.152-04:002011-06-29T10:07:47.152-04:00Very good and interesting post, Elizabeth. Thanks...Very good and interesting post, Elizabeth. Thanks.<br /><br />Here's two (of several):<br /><br />The answer to "what will I make for dinner tonight?" becomes "a phone call". And, a half day or more of a weekend becomes the sacrifice fly. I make sure that my taking myself out of the weekend mix for four to ten hours doesn't ruin anyone else's plans and then I work when I would normally be off to turn the work week around.Vicky Politonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1025201337316610324.post-67883363190060991282011-06-29T08:21:25.129-04:002011-06-29T08:21:25.129-04:00Elizabeth: I could have written this blog! You...Elizabeth: I could have written this blog! You've captured the writer's life so perfectly, especially when there is a job, children, and a household involved. Thanks for stopping by today. And everyone else, if you're not following Elizabeth on Twitter, you should be. She's got great links to all sorts of writing blogs and such that have been tremendously helpful to me. MaggieThe Stiletto Ganghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01667670723330755598noreply@blogger.com