We’re looking at writing routines this month, and this is not going to be a pretty post.  I guess I do have a writing routine.  It’s not very productive, and I’ve been giving that some thought, because I’m not getting any younger.

My writing routine has been to write a first draft each year during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and flounder the rest of the time.  This November will mark my tenth year of participating in NaNoWriMo, and I believe it will be my last.  I’ve enjoyed using it as my opportunity to create a first draft.  Great.  I’ve proven I can do that. Now what?

A few years ago, I began working on the How To Revise Your Novel Course offered by Holly Lisle.  I have to be one of her slowest students for this class, but I’m still plugging along, and I believe it’s doing me some good.  But this is where I need to place my emphasis for the foreseeable future — revising drafts to salable condition.

I’ve been working on two other areas — writing regularly with committing to Morning Pages this year (or, if you prefer, 750 words per day).  The idea behind these (which are supposed to be written first thing in the morning, but I do mine as soon as feasible in my day’s schedule — sometimes I finish as late as 10pm) is they clear your head and prime the pump of creativity.  It doesn’t completely work that way, but it does get me in the habit of writing regularly.  Just not words that could result in sales.  Yet.

The other things I’m struggling with is writing short stories.  I have trouble writing effective conflict.  I have this problem in novels, but if I use novel length writings to work through this problem, I don’t think it will be as effective as if I try to work through the problem with a shorter venue, such as a short story.  If can effectively deal with conflict in a short story, I should be able to translate that to a longer work.

Even though I’m retired, I don’t have time to sit around all day and write.  Frankly, if I were actually doing that and selling work, my husband wouldn’t complain, but he’s reached the point of, “Where’s the money?” So, as far as he’s concerned, this is a hobby instead of a career aspiration.  If I’m actively writing, he’ll support me, but if all he sees is internet surfing, he’s not interested.  There are a lot of other things we need done around the house and property, and I can see his point.  So, unless I’m focused on productive writing work, I need to be out doing work we’ve agreed needs to be done for our collective goals.  Writing will work around that stuff — like it does for other people with a day job.

What are my writing routines, then?  They are in total disarray, and I’m wallowing around trying to find balance and what will work effectively for me and my family. I suspect that’s not unique to me.  What do I want to do?

I want to:

• Write better first drafts
• Write effective conflict throughout my story
• Revise my work in a way that will render it marketable

To do this, I believe I need to quit piddling around and produce.