I'm also in the 500-word-per-day club! This was an experiment I just started this year, and it's working well so far. It doesn't feel like too much, so it doesn't scare me off, but 500 words often turn into more. I still haven't gotten the inopportune moments thing working yet, but that's a great tip. I did load the writing app I'm using onto my phone, though, so at least the will is there! Awesome post, by the way.
Yeah it took me a long time to get used to writing in the “inopportune moments.” Like over a year. But I don’t think I could have built the mindset I have now without that mental effort. Getting a writing app on your phone is a great way to set yourself up for success!! Keep at it 💪
Sounds like you figured out a good routine and habit for yourself and a way to implement it. That's what I've been working on. A routine to turn into a habit that I can implement in a consistent manner. Which is so hard. Doubly-so when you're dealing with a chronic illness on top of life.
But you might need to, if you’re like me. << This here is something I rarely see mentioned in advice pieces. It's like there's an assumption that everyone will succeed because this person spouting the advice did through their methods. They forget that we are all different and if someone has a different personality than the advice giver does, then their techniques probably won't work for that person. It's like trying to force an introvert to turn into an extrovert and visa versa.
I'd add to your bit on inopportune moments that you are not trying to crank out 1000 words in those moments and more like a couple sentences for the current scene you are on. It's more tiny cliff notes that you will flesh out once you sit down at the computer. And it's funny. I've heard that advice before, but something about the way you worded it clicked for me in a way it hasn't before.
I'm so glad this was helpful! It took a while to get that routine working, but the most important factor is that my routine is flexible enough that it can survive the bumps and demands of daily life. Even if it stops for a week, those "inopportune moments" can keep the habit only MOSTLY dead. (And mostly dead is slightly alive!) Just a few words of description, or an idea about a later chapter, or one line of dialogue that I look forward to delivering... those bits, once scrawled out, can bridge the gap until routine can came back and do its thing.
And yes, everyone's different! The best of my "writing friends" actually does basically none of these things.
I know I can't say anything very helpful with regard to chronic illness... I have some very close loved ones who deal with chronic illness, so I understand what you mean even if its not my own experience. Stay strong, and do what you can when you can. You have my moral support, such as it is. 🤝
Flexibility is so key IMO and I feel like it's not really talked about enough. Or maybe I just haven't stumbled upon the people who talk about it in regards to writing and how to keep at it when life gets unpredictable. I've always just been made to feel guilty if I wasn't sitting down to write if I had time where I wasn't doing other stuff. (I'd argue it's a bit hard to get into the writing mind set while sitting in the hospital waiting room while your mom is having surgery to remove cancer. But maybe that's just me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
I'm also in the 500-word-per-day club! This was an experiment I just started this year, and it's working well so far. It doesn't feel like too much, so it doesn't scare me off, but 500 words often turn into more. I still haven't gotten the inopportune moments thing working yet, but that's a great tip. I did load the writing app I'm using onto my phone, though, so at least the will is there! Awesome post, by the way.
Thanks for the support! And keep it up, Caroline!
Yeah it took me a long time to get used to writing in the “inopportune moments.” Like over a year. But I don’t think I could have built the mindset I have now without that mental effort. Getting a writing app on your phone is a great way to set yourself up for success!! Keep at it 💪
I will definitely give it a proper try 😁
Sounds like you figured out a good routine and habit for yourself and a way to implement it. That's what I've been working on. A routine to turn into a habit that I can implement in a consistent manner. Which is so hard. Doubly-so when you're dealing with a chronic illness on top of life.
But you might need to, if you’re like me. << This here is something I rarely see mentioned in advice pieces. It's like there's an assumption that everyone will succeed because this person spouting the advice did through their methods. They forget that we are all different and if someone has a different personality than the advice giver does, then their techniques probably won't work for that person. It's like trying to force an introvert to turn into an extrovert and visa versa.
I'd add to your bit on inopportune moments that you are not trying to crank out 1000 words in those moments and more like a couple sentences for the current scene you are on. It's more tiny cliff notes that you will flesh out once you sit down at the computer. And it's funny. I've heard that advice before, but something about the way you worded it clicked for me in a way it hasn't before.
I'm so glad this was helpful! It took a while to get that routine working, but the most important factor is that my routine is flexible enough that it can survive the bumps and demands of daily life. Even if it stops for a week, those "inopportune moments" can keep the habit only MOSTLY dead. (And mostly dead is slightly alive!) Just a few words of description, or an idea about a later chapter, or one line of dialogue that I look forward to delivering... those bits, once scrawled out, can bridge the gap until routine can came back and do its thing.
And yes, everyone's different! The best of my "writing friends" actually does basically none of these things.
I know I can't say anything very helpful with regard to chronic illness... I have some very close loved ones who deal with chronic illness, so I understand what you mean even if its not my own experience. Stay strong, and do what you can when you can. You have my moral support, such as it is. 🤝
But I'm glad I can help things "click" 😀
Flexibility is so key IMO and I feel like it's not really talked about enough. Or maybe I just haven't stumbled upon the people who talk about it in regards to writing and how to keep at it when life gets unpredictable. I've always just been made to feel guilty if I wasn't sitting down to write if I had time where I wasn't doing other stuff. (I'd argue it's a bit hard to get into the writing mind set while sitting in the hospital waiting room while your mom is having surgery to remove cancer. But maybe that's just me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )