Spring 2013 Novel Writing Class

Another year of teaching novel writing concluded last night at LCC. What a great bunch of attentive and enthusiastic writers! We discussed how to keep the writing momentum during the summer months.
Writing Tip for Today: When the weather’s nice, it may be harder to work in that novel writing session. Here are some ideas to make it happen:

• Don’t Find Time, Make Time. If your writing languishes near the bottom of your priorities, you may not get much done, especially with summer activities luring you outdoors. Bring along your laptop or tablet on the camping trip or at least a yellow pad to help you keep your date with writing. Write every day if possible. Be willing to sacrifice an hour of television, jot down a few words in the waiting room or pin a sign on the door that reads: Do Not Disturb: Writer at Work.
• Find a Routine. Summer is a time when activities can crowd out a normal writing schedule, but you can make it happen if you set a schedule and then SHOW UP. BIC (Butt in Chair) is your commitment to finishing your draft. If you show up at regular times, your writing time will become more important and you’ll find yourself defending that time.
• Junk It Through. Remember, nobody said your draft writing needs to be perfect. If you dread your sessions, maybe you’re putting too much pressure on yourself. Have fun with creating! First you get it down, then you fix it up. A completed draft of a novel is something not everyone accomplishes–so when you reach that milestone, you’re among rare company. Afterward, you can start revising, and polishing that work. But even during your revisions, be sure to start a new project, so you can continue to make writing fun. Have a great summer and keep writing!