At the recent Writers' & Artists' Yearbook conference, we heard a fascinating talk from Julie Myerson about how she got published, and how she works.
She felt the impetus to get started on her first novel when she had two small children and was pregnant with her third. She was also working. Overall - not ideal! But the urge to write overcame the obstacles, and she worked at night and at weekends.
A perceptive audience member asked whether she found it harder to write when she secured a contract, and was able to pay for childcare and work during the day. Julie said no, she found it easiest to write in the mornings, so that first novel really was written under pressure for her.
This post isn't intended to imply that if Julie Myerson can produce a book while looking after small children and being pregnant - you too can do it. Having done both - I can't imagine how she did it!
We often wait for the 'right time' before we start a project, particularly something that feels as momentous as writing a book.
I know in my case, this is often a cover for procrastinating!
Julie's story made me realise - again - that waiting for the perfect time to start a creative project often just means waiting. And it's possible to carve some time and space out of the busiest life and just get started.
What's holding you back, what pressures do you work under? - and how do you think you'd react if those pressures weren't there?
Best regards,
(editorial consultant)
Find out more in our video with Julie Myerson here »
Oh, about deadlines, I understand deadlines are used for motivation but I believe a good writer doesn't need one to accomplish a project. In fact a deadline can impair a projects' finesse because the writer has to take whatever time needed to satisfactorally perfect his/her work. However one should have a reasonable time frame in mind for doing it. That's where the 'deadline' comes in. I prefer to call it a time limit and it can be flexible or inflexible. A time limit of 1 year to finish a book, as I've set for myself is reasonable, in my opinion. But perhaps I'm wrong. Any views on this?
Pressure is something I deal with every day. Because of my many interests, I adjust by prioritizing, doing more important things first. Therefore when landscaping, home remodeling or other adventures occupy most of my day, I find myself writing from midnight till 3AM sometimes. All I can say is that the allure of writing is irresistible. No matter what day it is, I usually find a way to work on one or the other of my books. If I didn't have to sleep and do other things, I would literally be writing 24/7 until a project is finished.
I much prefer writing under pressure for almost exactly the same reasons. One of the reasons I love writing in small collections for websites and magazines is purely because it's an amount that can be done under last minute pressure, but the deadline alone is enough to keep me focussed.
Thank you for the reminder. Everybody likes to know that their thoughts and ideals are shared.