A Writer's Mindset

During the latter half of this year I've been finding it increasingly difficult to settle down to writing unless I have a specific deadline to work towards. There aren't that many competitions for novels and I've not been sending work off to agents as I used to. It's also been hard for me to balance the need to earn money with my need to write.

Let's not forget that it's the Summer. Yes, I know we live in the UK and summer is a very loose word to use. But, when the sun shines it means we want to get out into it. For an ex South African the allure is almost impossible to resist. My body is convinced it's in permanent vitamin D withdrawal.

Then there are the friends who live abroad and come to the UK for only 2 or 3 weeks in July or August and just have to catch up with me. And I just have to catch up with them. After all, I only get to see them once a year.

Not to mention all the tango events which MUST be attended. I don't have gym membership. This is it for my weekly exercise people.

Distractions, distractions, distractions.

All writers know:

distractions = writing hours lost = low word-count = skills unhoned.

In a bid to be efficient I print off a weekly schedule of work and also write a tick list of essential duties to perform for my various jobs:

Inkhead Creative writing tutor
KEYS English tutor
Tango South London Administrator

But I have not been doing this for my writing.

Then I read the Autharium article Being A Writer and loved this particular piece of advice - “Act like a pro, even if you aren't one.” I had a EUREKA moment.

I realised I have to act more like a writer, less like a teacher/tutor/administrator.

So I shifted my early morning focus to begin the day with my writing rather than my paid work. I now write a list of essential duties for my writing as well as my other work. And I put the writing at the TOP of the list.

Seeing all those ticks gives me a tremendous sense of achievement

For those of you who know my love of highlighters, I've also created a word-count spreadsheet with weekly targets. To begin with I found sticking to my daily word count a chore. But I now find l get an uncomfortable itch under the skin if I know I haven't managed to achieve it for the day. I have found that despite all the 'things' that take up my day which seem to make it impossible to find time to write, there is ALWAYS time. I'm proud to say that not only am I achieving these targets but am now regularly exceeding them.

The reward for exceeding my writing target is that I get to watch that Game of Thrones DVD or go to an extra Milonga or tango session. And all guilt free, with a huge sense of achievement to boot.

And for the bosses of my paid work reading this – please don't be concerned that you are being short changed. I'm still getting the job done and since I'm a happier writer I'm a happier employee too.

It's all about work/life balance you know.

Faetaera: A Triumvirate

A Triumvirate Brairton’s minions slipped through a barely noticeable fissure. The tear would close shortly. Despite the increase in their regularity the breaches rarely stayed open very long. To the three insidious spies, the stink of the new world was almost unbearable. But in time the triumvirate would each become so used to it they would scarcely notice it at all. That it poisoned them they did not know. Brairton was not in the habit of informing his operatives of fatal consequences. Their programming precluded any thought beyond the mission they must complete. In this Brairton had been exact and had performed the necessary rituals himself. Each had their mission branded into their being. They would travel together for some time but then slip off to their secret destinations one by one, never to see each other again. The threesome latched on to their individual targets and began their particular brand of individual mis...

#Review: A Storm of Swords II

A Storm of Swords II by George R R Martin After starting on the set in September last year, I’m getting through the Game of Thrones series at quite a clip now. This is no doubt due to their intriguing nature and Martin’s writing style which makes reading this collection of books so easy. So far, my favourite character in every one of the books in this series is Tyrion Lannister. I find myself rooting for him at every step on his life journey. He works so hard to be a better man despite people’s preconceptions. When he was made The Hand in the previous book I was not at all surprised that he did a good job of it. Tyrion reminds me of some of the talented yet underrated children I’ve taught in the past. Once they were given a task which excited and involved them they relished the challenge and surpassed all expectations. Unlike my students though, Tyrion receives no praise for his efforts and achievements. Perhaps I like him so much because he almost always has his now...

Faetaera: Through The Rabbit Hole

Larell’s heart was full to the brim. His audience with Aurelia had been unexpected and full of wonder. He was not surprised she was aware of his plans to send a force through to the other side. Aurelia always knew everything going on in her world. At times he thought he saw the weight of it bearing down upon her. Then he wished to take her in his arms and carry her as well as the burdens she bore. But of course he would never do this, merely imagine it. It made him love her all the more. She thought he did not know how she came by her information and he planned on keeping it that way. It was the only way he knew to express his love for her without feeling foolish. In the crystal lined chamber he felt her load more palpably than usual. He knew it was simply his foolish love-sickness for his Queen but he let the feeling soak through him regardless. Aurelia's lips twitched briefly as though she was...

Rae of Light

Search This Blog