I’m back on wanting to live a writer’s life. I’m back on wanting to have a writing practice, writing everyday, even though I don’t know how much writing I am going to get done today or tomorrow or any other “everyday.”
Right now, I am reading a book called Pen on Fire by Barbara DeMarco Barrett. The busy woman’s guide to igniting the writer within, it says.
I’ve only just read the beginning, but she says that writing in 15 minute increments is the key. Everyone has 15 minutes hidden in their day. I know I do. I believe her theory, even though I haven’t read much more than bits and pieces of her book here and there. I wrote my last couple of first drafts with only fifteen minutes to spare throughout the day.
As DeMarco-Barrett says, “When [people] give even small chunks of time to writing, incredible things begin to happen. Resistance to writing evaporates, and is replaced with a feeling of fun and discovery. Ideas and creativity pour out. You even begin to appreciate your writing voice and your own unique style.”
She also says “Tend to your writing daily, and soon finding the time to write will become second nature; when this happens you’ll know you are living a writer’s life.”
This is a project I want to take on. I think I can manage this fifteen minute thing, it’s not too overwhelming to stop me… although, when I first started thinking about taking this on with my novels, rather than just random writing or poems or what have you, I slammed up against a wall, thinking, oy, there are no ideas in my head! I can’t start writing in my novel now, I don’t have any inspiration! And then, there the lady went, saying how even a few words here and there keep your project alive in your head, and keeps it fresh. There’s a quote from Janet Fitch, author of White Oleander “You have to keep your writing on life support, and give it oxygen.”
Yeah. These stories of mine are in vital need of some life support. It’s time for me to get back to work.
Fifteen minutes at a time.
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