TO WRITE EVERY DAY--OR NOT

 Did you know that if you Google "You should be writing" in images, a whole bunch of man candy directing you to write pops up? Amazing!

But, that's not what this blog is about--not completely.

Today, I just wanted to give a shout out to Mr. Nathan Bransford's post from a few days ago.

In which Nathan makes it perfectly clear that a writer need not write every day to be a writer.


http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2014/03/you-dont-have-to-write-every-day.html

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I am not an every day writer. Not even an every other day writer. I'm lucky with the new day job schedule I've got, if I can write two or three days a week--and then just a couple of hours on any given day.

But this system has worked for me. Sure, I'm not as prolific as others, but I wonder if it's my writing schedule or just the way my brain percolates. For example I've been working on the endless rewrites that are my Bix. And recently I came up with some replacement chapters and I love them. But they came out of my daydreaming/driving time. Not because I was poised over a keyboard.

Would I be a more prolific writer if I wrote every day? Mmm. Probably. Would I be a better writer? Not necessarily. At least I don't think so. Maybe it's my way of justifying my not writing every day. I don't know. I do know that with my present schedule, there is no way humanly--or Margie humanly--possible to eek out an every day schedule. 

I just came off an eight day work week. Sure, I have four days off in a row. But today--that first day off--I've basically been mummified on the couch. I am too old for this sh--stuff. Working eight days, off four, work seven, off two, work eight, off four. It sounds good in theory--until that 7th or 8th day. 

So, again, many thanks, Nathan, for helping me lose the guilt that comes from not writing every day. Bless you.

And a little plug for Liz--go get her book, The Girls of Tonsil Lake. It's free! And it's great. 

Comments

  1. Thanks for the plug, Margie--and I think you're so right. I didn't write every day until I no longer had a day job (which, of course, I DID have to do every day), and even now I sometimes Just Say No and go hang out with the sewing machine for a few days. It's good for the soul--and I think yours is in great shape.

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    1. Thank you, Liz! For me, saying "No" usually leads to a movie or lunch with a friend--both good for the soul and sanity.

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  2. Ah, Margie! Thank you for this! I saw Nathan's blog and wanted to hug him, too! Unfortunately...or fortunately, depending on the day, I work at home as a freelance editor. It's very hard to write when I have an editing gig on my desk. The paying work (and yes, I know when someone buys my books, it constitutes paying work) has to come first. It's hard to be creative and feel guilty at the same time. At least for me...

    Yay Girls of Tonsil Lake! Absolutely go grab it if you haven't already. I, on the other hand, paid full price for it when it first came out. You're welcome, Liz! ;-)

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    1. I paid full price as well--but it was so worth it!

      And yep, unfortunately, the bill-paying work must come first. Someday....

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  3. Love the eye candy! Gonna have to Google that :) I write everyday, but it's my full-time job now. And I love every minute of it! Wouldn't trade it for the world.

    And I downloaded Liz's book yesterday-can't wait to read it!

    Thanks, Margie! Great post!

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    1. Jennifer--the eye candy is awesome. I think I'm going to make one of them my desktop background :) Nothing like a little Avenger inspiration.

      You'll love the book. I did.

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  4. I haven't written for months now. But in my case it's not because of my schedule, it's because of...ummmm...I don't know. I've just stopped. But I'd love to read your revised version of Bix when it's ready (Geri)

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    1. When I get it done--hopefully by the end of April--fingers crossed--I'll send it over. Miss you! We need to get together soon.

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  5. I'm like some of you other gals. I write pretty much every day now that I'm retired but before that, I often had other priorities that had to be taken care of first. I might slow down though if I thought a pretty man would come along and tell me to work harder!

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  6. I'm right there with you, Margie! And got Liz's book before it was free.
    Plan to read it next month while on vacation .Blurb got me hooked!

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  7. Great post, Margie! And I agree with out. I'm a write-most-days girl, but that is what works for me. I think we all need to stop and think about what makes us the most happy and the most productive...and then work on that. Not worry about what Writer X is doing or how Guru Y says things are done.

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  8. Thank you for taking away my guilt that I'm not at my WIP every day!

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