by Carol Kilgore, @carol_kilgore
I’ve been a regular reader of Mystery Writing Is Murder for a long time. As you can imagine, I’m thrilled to be here. Thank you, Elizabeth, for sharing your blog space with me.
When I learned I would be guest blogging here, I found out I needed to blog about some aspect of writing. Still thrilled, but Ack! I usually try to skirt around actual writing details. So I’ll just tell you a story.
A continuing long-term problem for me is struggling for a solid block of writing time. I find plans that work for various lengths of time, anywhere from a few days to several months. Then I seem to sabotage them without being aware until one day I realize my writing time is over and I have no new words on the page.
A few months back, I tried something totally out of my norm. I tried writing first thing in the morning. Get up. Stumble downstairs. Let dogs out. Get coffee. Let dogs in. Open document. Write. For two hours. Did I mention I am not a morning person?
OMG!
I couldn’t believe how easily and, for me, quickly the words flowed. And the feeling of accomplishment after completing my primary goal for the day before lunch was amazing.
A couple of weeks later, the first words still flowed. But that second hour…not so much. When we came back from vacation in May, I added a walk. Write an hour, walk for 30+ minutes, write another hour.
While I walk, I think about the story. I believe my subconscious processes the words I just wrote and decides which words to use next. When I come back for Hour Two, success!
For the last few weeks I’ve used my morning writing time to focus on details of the release of IN NAME ONLY. But in another week or two, I’ll be back to writing. Will this routine still work? I hope so.
So my best writing advice? Find what works for you, whether it’s how you construct a character or how you manage your Facebook time. Do it that way for as long as it works. When it stops working, try something different—even if you think it won’t work. You may be surprised.
********
Carol Kilgore is a Texas native who has lived in locations across the U.S. as the wife of a Coast Guard officer. Back under the hot Texas sun in San Antonio, Carol writes a blend of mystery, suspense, and romance she calls Crime Fiction with a Kiss. She and her husband share their home and patio with two active herding dogs, and every so often the dogs let them sit on the sofa.
Learn more about Carol and follow her here:
Blog: http://www.underthetikihut.blogspot.com
Website: http://www.carolkilgore.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carolkilgore.author
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/#!/carol_kilgore
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6094110.Carol_Kilgore
Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/author/ckilgore
No home. No family. No place to hide. For Summer Newcombe, that’s only the beginning.
The night Summer escapes from a burning Padre Island eatery and discovers the arsonist is stalking her, is the same night she meets Fire Captain Gabriel Duran. As much as she’s attracted to Gabe, five years in the Federal Witness Security Program because of her father’s testimony against a mob boss have taught her the importance of being alone and invisible.
No matter how much she yearns for a real home, Summer relinquished that option the night she killed the man who murdered her father. But Gabe breaks down her guard and places both of them in danger. Summer has vowed never to kill again, but she’s frantic she’ll cost Gabe his life unless she stops running and fights for the future she wants with the man she loves.
I’m not a morning person either and get annoyed at the how-to books that tell you to get up early. BUT since you tried it and it works, I might give it a shot. Thanks for the post.
You’ve inspired me! I think I’m going to try writing in the mornings. And I’m adding In Name Only to my to-read list!
I am a morning person and find that’s when I’m most productive. I definitely concur with the idea of some exercise in between sessions. Exercise seems to unstick problems I have with the plot.
Writing in a cafe always works for me too, because I can’t jump up at the slightest provocation.
You’re so right about each writer needing to find a method that works for them.
Elizabeth – Thanks for hosting Carol.
Carol – Thanks for sharing the way you work writing into your schedule. I have to admit I’m very much a morning person. That’s when I do my best writing. Welcome to our side; we have cookies ;-). I wish you much, much success!
theemptypen – I know that feeling. They still annoy me, and I do it, LOL. However, I don’t do the 4-5am thing some advocate. That would really mess with my body clock, I think. But I won’t say never :) It’s all about keeping an open mind and learning what works for YOU!
Heather – Give it a shot. Let me know how it works for you. Before I began, I mentally committed myself for a week. I was hooked on day one.
Shelley – I haven’t tried writing in a cafe or coffee shop. But I may one day.
Elizabeth – The feeling of accomplishment sold me, too. The ‘stop working’ thing is a huge problem for me. I wish I knew why that happens or how to stop it from happening.
Margot – Oooh, cookies :) I’m here! Thanks for the good wishes.
Carradee – I track my time, but not as detailed as you. My engineer-other-half would like something like that :)
Linda G – Oops, we crossed. I’m glad you like it!
I am a morning person, so I’m loving this summer. Not being at school, I’ve spent my mornings writing – usually out on the deck. It’s awesome!
The book sounds terrific Carol – off to pick up a copy! b
Carol–Welcome to the blog! Thanks so much for your post today.
I’m glad that you found the perfect time for you to write! I love writing in the morning…but I’m a morning person. Like you mentioned, it’s that feeling of accomplishment at the very start of the day that makes it so rewarding for me.
I also like that you mentioned that things sometimes *stop* working…and that we may need to reassess what our approach is.
Cate – I love that quote! I think I may paste across the top of my monitor :)
Anne – That’s pretty much the case for me during normal times :)
Slamdunk – It’s amazing, isn’t it!
Jemi – Nice to meet you. I like mornings, but I don’t enjoy the process of waking up :)
J.L. – Good for you!
I have a spreadsheet wherein I mark start time, end time, and words produced. It calculates duration, words per hour, etc.
I don’t have nearly the sample size I want yet, but I’ve noticed some interesting details about how time of day and writing stint duration affect my writing speed—and different narrators are affected differently.
It’s still very useful to try things you usually wouldn’t, just to see what happens.
Exactly, Carol — finding what works for you is key.
I love “Crime Fiction with a Kiss”!
I’m a morning person but can’t get free time till later. Just gotta make do with what time frees up! One of my favorite author quotes is: Chain that muse to the desk and get the job done – Barbara Kingsolver. When that doesn’t work, there’s always duct tape. :)
Great stuff. I’ve always been a morning writer, but have found blogging started to take up a lot of that time. I had to leave the blogs for after lunch if I wanted to get anything done.
Thanks, Elizabeth for hosting Carol today.
Good advice Carol. I am a morning person, but had to adjust to being productive at 1 am–I was surprised at how my body could make the switch.
Helena – I’m not sure I could function enough to get down the stairs at 5am, let alone write. However, I’ve learned that when things need to be done, I can manage a lot I thought I couldn’t. Love when the characters just do it!
Kathy – I love my walk time :)
Nutschell – Crossed with you, too. Must be my turn today :) I think all of us struggle with that at some point.
Hi, Carol & Elizabeth,
Wonderful advice Carol to find what works best and run with it and to be prepared to make changes. I no longer know what works best for me. I basically write when I can find the time. Vacation time has been good. I’ve written way more than I have for months.
Finding time to write is so tough! I’ve read about writers who get up at five a.m. and write for two hours before going to their jobs. I am so incapable of that. And you’re so right about walking away from your manuscript and letting the subconscious do it’s stuff. I especially like it when the characters take over and start to tell their story, makes it easier on me.
Your new schedule sounds great. I pretty much do my blog work in the morning. Taking the walk would be the next great step!
Kathy M.
Clarissa – That’s exactly why I like writing in the morning!
Linda – Give it a try!
It’s great to see you here, Carol! And congratulations on your release!
I have had to change my writing schedule a lot lately because I have two young kids that choose my schedule for me. Whenever I find something that work–like now, I write right before I go to sleep–I’m in heaven! I think your advice of being flexible is perfect. Part of being creative is opening yourself up to new things!
Great to see Carol on here!solid blocks of writing time are certainly hard to get. :)
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
I write 500 words a day, no matter what but I prefer to do it in the morning because it (a) starts my day off right–my mood is so much better and (b) I don’t have to stress the whole day on writing.
What a good strategy! I wonder if writing at a different time of day would help my muse. Thanks, Carol!
Lynn – Good for you!
Sara/Cera – When I write at night, I can’t turn my brain off enough to sleep. Thanks for your kind words.
Oops, Jamie, I missed you earlier. I hope you’re taking good care of those two little ones. They’re the most important things right now.
Jaleh – I get that. If my morning starts bad, the rest of the day usually follows suit. Nice to meet you.
Jan – Whatever it is, it works! At least for now. Knocking wood :)
Carol, I like the am writing time too. But I’ve been letting it slide into email and facebook and everything else. Tomorrow – I start back tomorrow.
I love write in the mornings… but I work full time during the day. So, I’m stuck writing at night. Great article, Carol, great excerpt… Good luck with your sales
eamonmoroney – Yes, there certainly is that. I started on a Monday after telling myself and anyone who would listen that I was going to do it for a few days. All that reinforcement helped. I think it’s great how it’s working for all of us!
Okay, y’all. I’m signing out and going to bed. I’ve had so much fun here today. Elizabeth, thank you again for hosting me. Hugs to all!
Carol
I am not a morning person, but I’ve found that however I start my day will determine how productive I am for the rest of it. 10:00am seems to be the borderline. If I’m busy working on something before that, I am usually fairly productive the rest of the day. 9am is my best get-started time (usually): late enough that I can read through the recent FB posts and some blog entries while I finish getting up to full alertness, and early enough that it still feels like plenty of morning.
Hi Carol, like you I never thought I was a morning person until I quit the day job and decided to write first thing in the morning. I was quite surprised to find out that it worked better than my old schedule of doing it after dinner. I think it has something to do with the subconscious being more active because we just woke up. Your walk between sessions is also a great idea. Good luck with your novel.
I too have been trying to write in the mornings and find it a great success. For some reasons less distractions and more focus. But of course there is that initial reluctance t get up earlier!!!
Talli – And you’ll soon have more distractions in your life :)
Emily – I do the cramming thing, too. And some things I have to let go along the way. I’m learning to stay more on top of goal and priority setting.
Medeia – I keep crossing with commenters, LOL. Yes, do try it. Even if you’re pressed for time, write for however long you can. I use a timer. And write first before anything else.
I’m with you, Carol. I find I write best in the morning, before I get a chance to make excuses or get too distracted!
I’m a big fan of the morning writing time. I’m going to have to figure something out though, because lately I’ve been trying to cram more and more into my life in all corners, and I guess I’m really wearing myself out, because I keep oversleeping and missing out on my precious morning writing time! At some point, I suppose, something’s gotta give.
I’ll have to experiment a little and find out new ways to work like you have.
I’m a morning person. Many times I do write in the morning, but not every single morning. I should try it.
Getting up early always works for my blogging.
Maurice – I used to blog in the mornings, but had to switch that around.
CarrieBoo – Yea, another morning writer! When it’s crazytime in my house, I wear headphones with the volume cranked up. Keeps me in story world.
Wow, Carol. Great advice. I have only just recently found that the whole get up and write routine works for me, too. It forces me to put writing first, and then I get into it. I also need some music with a good beat to stop my brain running off on tangents. The walk in between is an interesting idea! I have been getting a cup of tea and having a wee little dance for breaks. :)
Stephen – LOL, even I get that connection. I get ideas when walking, too.
Theresa Milstein – Good for you! I write best with coffee, too. You’re welcome about the tip :)
OK, all…now I’m really signing off. As far as I know :)
It was great meeting new friends here and seen old ones, too.
Elizabeth…thank you. My blog is yours anytime.
See everyone at the Tiki Hut!
Carol
I’m an early morning and late evening writer. Coffee and wine. Hmmmm. I see a connection here.
And walking really helps. When I walk all kinds of ideas flood my head.
Carol, what an impressive schedule. I like seeing how it’s developed. I’ve been writing more in the mornings this year, and I’ve had a huge spike in productivity. Just need that coffee by my side.
I like the idea of walking in between writing sessions. Thanks for the tip.