What discipline do you impose on yourself regarding schedules, goals, etc.?
No schedules. I live the life I live because I want my life to be my own, and I avoid schedules as much as possible. I write when the mood hits me, and when life permits, and the reason I get so much done in spite of some self-imposed "discipline" is because I am a writer, and motivation isn't necessary.
I really need a deadline to keep me focused at times. When I'm setting up the world and the characters, I have no schedule. I'm gathering as much research as I can. I usually end up with stacks of articles and a growing file on my laptop and PDA. After that, though, when I'm in the writing mode, I try to write every day. No set limit, but at least something every day.
As mentioned above, I work a writing schedule and never waver from it unless there's an emergency, such as illness. I also set weekly, monthly, and yearly writing goals, a process that has been integral to my success.
I worked at Newsweek Magazine for 11 years and because of that, my creative juices are fueled by deadlines. It just works for me. Some people are fueld by depression, by scarcity, whatever they have been wired for. Other times I can kick into the creative space in other ways, but deadlines are the easiest for me.
I mentioned this earlier: up early, every day. I try to do at least two pages. It adds up.
I set a goal of two-thousand words for the day. I don't stop until I've reached that goal. It's rarely a problem for me, I guess I'm lucky. Normally I take one day off a week but once I really get into a novel I'm going everyday and usually shattering the two-thousand word limit.
When I write short stories, unless they're very long, I like to write them in one shot.
In each fiction project I try to write every day. Once the project is finished, I take a little time off before starting on another. I like to mix it up; work on fiction for a while, take a break and write poetry. My one consistency is that I write inspirational writing every day--any other writing is in addition to the inspirational writing.
I don't really discipline myself because I feel that after a while it would seem like I have to write instead of wanting to write. I try to write at least 500 words on a bad day. Sometimes things are really hectic and I write less than that. The editing process is a lot harder though because when you know what is going to happen you tend to skip parts, therefore leaving them unpolished and tatty compared to the edited parts. It is hard though when you're editing because if your computer or laptop has broadband you feel so tempted to click online. Its mainly self control (Unfortunately, I have very little!)
LOL- I need more- am tryng forr 2-5 pages a day- and dong vioce recognition software.
I try to start early in the day, most days. I don't worry about missing a few days here and there, when I'm on a fiction project. I don't set goals in numbers of pages, but I hope to get through a meaningful segment at a sitting.
Schedules don't work for me. I just use my free time when I have it.
Goals... They are huge and mainly unreachable.
Every day.
I work on a piece until it's done. Since I write non-fiction pieces that rarely reach more than 5,000 words, it doesn't require the type of discipline that fiction writing does.
When I am working on a piece, I do not need discipline because I am dedicated to complete what I start. I get so determined to do the best I can, I do not need a list of disciplinary measures put upon myself. It all happens naturally.
I work a lot. I query, sleep, eat, work on a manuscript, write for other people, laugh, eat, write something for my site, watch t.v., read, and I manage to make money with this schedule so I doubt it will change soon. |
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