Wednesday Writing Woes

Photo: Ashley Schweitzer via Minimography

Today is Wednesday, and on Wednesdays, I meet a friend and fellow writer at Starbucks for a kind of mini retreat. We started this routine a few months ago as a way of nudging each other to sit and write, instead of allowing ourselves to get distracted by the plethora of other things - many of them valuable- that we could be doing instead. We devote part of the morning to writing tasks; ideally, we tackle our works-in-progress, but sometimes, blogs and the business of writing loom, and our characters get pushed aside.

Today, I'm struggling. My plethora of other things contains the usual blogs (two on Wednesdays), time-sensitive teaching tasks and a critique group meeting tonight. I know I should give my characters their due, but I'm afraid that if I do, other things - necessary things - won't get done.  

And so the question that plagues part-time writers looms. Is it more responsible to push through the plethora, checking things off our non-writing lists so we can later write unencumbered? Or, do we push aside the plethora and focus on our writing? If so, which writing? The blogs? The characters? The critiques?

Creative pursuits demand a delicate  combination of routine and inspiration. Yes, I have to park myself in my chair at the designated hour, but that doesn't mean the words will come. But, if I abandon my chair and the blank screen before me, all is lost - at least for that day.

So I set aside the time and hope for the best, knowing that reality dictates that some days, those time blocks get blown away by the have-to-dos. I track my time to stay accountable, set up systems that make it easy (or at least possible) to jump in where I left off, and hope for the best.

But some days, I just have to give up and grade papers. Even if it is Wednesday.

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Getting Started

Geralt via Pixabay

As much as I love to write, some days, it's hard to get started. Other tasks swirl around in my head, insisting on their supreme importance. Some are necessary, others mere distractions, but both serve to throw up roadblocks, forcing me to assess my options and prioritize.

Take today, for example. I teach on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which means that Wednesday planning is important. Wednesday, however, is also my writing accountability day -- the day I meet a friend who is also a writer and we pull up a table at Starbucks and write. We also talk and waste time, of course, but we always get a lot accomplished.

In addition, I blog both here and on Organizing by STYLE on Wednesdays, so it's easy to use up all of my writing time just writing blogs.

It's a conundrum.

But, as anyone who has children knows, when they need attention, it's best for everyone if they are given that attention. They're happier (and emotionally healthier) when their needs are met and everyone around them benefits as well.

So, I opted to look at those pesky thoughts in the same way. A little attention here, a little attention there and a lot of attention to the main event. I set the timer on my phone, tackle each small task for a designated amount of time, and then dig into my writing with a clear conscience.

I still love my sprints, too, but some days, I just can't start there. When my focus is elsewhere, my writing goes nowhere except astray. Instead of starting off my day with a feeling of accomplishment, I start off feeling scattered and frustrated.

The longer I do this, the more I discover that every writer needs to have more than one tool in her toolbox. The thing that holds my toolbox together is accountability. Whether it's to myself, to my characters or to my writing peers, accountability keeps me on track, and helps me decide which tool to use on which day.

And for that, I am grateful.

Life's Little Non-Luxury

Photo: Lauren Mancke, via Minimography

I am writing, but I shouldn't be.

Now, that's a switch, isn't it?

After months of struggling to find writing time, I'm thrilled with my new accountability plan that offers me both social time and writing time. It never fails to leave me feeling energized, and, in addition, these writing sessions make sure I get something on the page at least once in a week.

But this week is the week leading up to Christmas. End-of-semester grades are due tomorrow. Everywhere I look, lists loom.

Last night, I was reading student responses to the co-curricular activities they attended as part of my class (first year seminar). Several of my freshmen mentioned going to events when they thought they didn't have time to go, when they were stressed out from work and due dates and it seemed only logical that they stay home and get things done. But, they went because they had to, and, when they went to things that were fun (petting dogs, stand-up comics, cultural events), the relaxation that ensued from the change in routine was actually beneficial. As I wrote back to them, I reminded them -- and myself -- that relaxation is an investment, not a luxury.

I'm not sure I'd call my writing time relaxation, but it definitely recharges me and, in that respect, it's definitely an investment. Because I enjoy it, it feels like a luxury, but it's really not. It's a part of who I am and a part of what I do. I wouldn't forgo a shower because "life's too busy," and, as silly as it sounds to non-writers, writing is just as important.

So, off I go. To write. To recharge. To accomplish.

The list can wait until this afternoon.