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| My Writing Womb |
Actor/writer John Cleese once said to an audience that in order to
be creative, two things must occur: you need to create boundaries, and make
time. That’s it. Even if you write or paint or woodwork for one hour, you MUST
shut yourself in a space, and let no one in for one hour. Writers would sure
benefit from wearing a turtle’s shell so we could withdraw from the world
any time we wanted! LOL!
Early
mornings are a popular working time for many writers and artists, for a few
obvious reasons. If you get up early enough, you can generally count on being
free from visitors, phone calls, and other interruptions. And if you go
straight to work on your creative project—if you literally put it first in your
day—you can guarantee that your working time won’t be derailed by other
commitments or temptations.
So
how do you acquire that coveted time to write? This has been an ongoing
obstacle for many writers, including yours truly. Especially when life gets
messy. And trust me, it does! I guess the best advice that I can give is that
you need to make sacrifices. Instead of watching three TV shows with your better
half, cut back one or two (pick your favorite to watch), then scurry to your
writing lair and put your fingers to the keyboard. Lock yourself in your room.
Tell your family members that once the door is closed for the set amount of
time you’ve chosen, you’re not available. Period. Even if someone screams
bloody murder. If you need to, buy earphones, download a music app, and plug
in. This will help to keep those distractions out and the words flowing.
Another
option is GET OUT of the house and go to your local coffee shop or library.
Many authors have chosen this avenue with great success. Libraries have more
confining hours, but most coffee shops are open 24 hours. The idea is to create
both time and space for yourself to write. Plus, you’ve got fresh coffee or tea
on demand, so that’s a bonus!
A
more expensive idea if you can swing it is to rent a motel or hotel room for a
personal writing retreat. You might be able to get a good deal during
off-season periods, or even use those air miles you’ve been saving to cash in
on a room. What about using a friend’s home or apartment a few times a week?
The possibilities are available, but we have to utilize them.
This
upcoming year, I need to make some sacrifices and define my space (physical and
emotional) in order to finish writing the next installment of my time travel
series (so close!), and start brainstorming the next book. I’m lucky enough to
have my own writing office, and there’s no little ones around to knock on the
door. Unless my 100 pound yellow Labrador decides to nudge open the door to be
fed or walked! I’ve used a timer in the past, but like anything, if it’s not
made a habit, it’s not going to work. Self-discipline is the name of the game
in this business, that’s for sure! So keep a stiff upper lip, define your
writing space and time, and get that book written!
How
do you define your boundaries as a writer? Where are some great places you like
to write? Do you allow yourself a certain amount of time to write? Would love
to read your comments! Cheers and thank you for reading my blog!
