It's Friday! Who isn't feeling that?!
Shopping, wining and dining, seeing friends... But before I get too carried away, I'm going to consider what writing at the weekend could do for me and that novel which is sulking quietly in the corner. It could save our relationship!
I'm feeling like I can hardly call myself a writer this week. The week has flown by; I've only really managed to write some really flashy flash fiction prompted by the fabulous #TwitterFiction festival and I've contributed absolutely nothing to my novel. The weekend is stretching out before me and I need to use it wisely.
Now, I'm not crazy. I am not suggesting I spend my entire hard-earned 48 hours off working on my current Work In Progress (or WIP, I learnt the other day!), but an hour or two could do it the world of good. I've blogged before about being surprised to find you have more time than you realise, and as a writer, I obviously enjoy the work writing involves - perhaps more than my actual day job sometimes!
One tip for writing at the weekend I'd suggest is working with someone else. In the past, this has encouraged me, disciplined me, and has delivered me willing participant who will congratulate me when the work's done. Suzie, a writer friend of mine, and I did a #5kwordcountpact one weekend and it really helped keep me going. Having a goal really focusses the mind and gives you something to work towards. Take a look on Twitter to see how we progressed on the #5kwordcountpact. And no, the tweets didn't count as part of our wordcount! Writer buddies can be found all over the internet, so finding the right partner can be easy. I'd start by sending out a call on Twitter, or browsing writer forums.
Or perhaps you fancy a Day of Writing Dangerously, like my friend Sarah? Grab your laptop or notepad and begin a local cafe coffee crawl and bash out a few caffeine fuelled hours. You could aim for 1,000 words in your first cafe or coffee, and increase this as you increase your intake of the good stuff.
Shopping, wining and dining, seeing friends... But before I get too carried away, I'm going to consider what writing at the weekend could do for me and that novel which is sulking quietly in the corner. It could save our relationship!
I'm feeling like I can hardly call myself a writer this week. The week has flown by; I've only really managed to write some really flashy flash fiction prompted by the fabulous #TwitterFiction festival and I've contributed absolutely nothing to my novel. The weekend is stretching out before me and I need to use it wisely.
Now, I'm not crazy. I am not suggesting I spend my entire hard-earned 48 hours off working on my current Work In Progress (or WIP, I learnt the other day!), but an hour or two could do it the world of good. I've blogged before about being surprised to find you have more time than you realise, and as a writer, I obviously enjoy the work writing involves - perhaps more than my actual day job sometimes!
One tip for writing at the weekend I'd suggest is working with someone else. In the past, this has encouraged me, disciplined me, and has delivered me willing participant who will congratulate me when the work's done. Suzie, a writer friend of mine, and I did a #5kwordcountpact one weekend and it really helped keep me going. Having a goal really focusses the mind and gives you something to work towards. Take a look on Twitter to see how we progressed on the #5kwordcountpact. And no, the tweets didn't count as part of our wordcount! Writer buddies can be found all over the internet, so finding the right partner can be easy. I'd start by sending out a call on Twitter, or browsing writer forums.
Or perhaps you fancy a Day of Writing Dangerously, like my friend Sarah? Grab your laptop or notepad and begin a local cafe coffee crawl and bash out a few caffeine fuelled hours. You could aim for 1,000 words in your first cafe or coffee, and increase this as you increase your intake of the good stuff.
Both these tricks take some serious time dedication though. This might not work for the weekend ahead. I'm all for binging on writing (to complement your regular writing routine, not to replace it!), but even the shortest session on your day off can open up new ideas, story avenues, character developments, and can boost the all important word count.
So how does this weekend look? Can I squeeze in some work on my Next Big Thing?
Friday night
I have no plans tonight after I finish work. It's a longer evening with a marginally shorter working day (a measly 30 mins less to work). Perhaps I could write then, if my current box set (Season 7 of '24') doesn't distract me. Now that takes discipline!
Saturday
I'm not making excuses, but I think that day's a write-off (no pun intended). I have three parties to go to, probably only going to make two of them due to geographical limitations, and I intend to enjoy them! No writing there, unless I want some funny looks. Although, as Ernest Hemmingway said 'write drunk, edit sober.'
Sunday
This day could go two ways - recovery or resourcefulness, dependent on the hangover I bring home with me from Bedfordshire. Day of rest? Possibly not.
Friday might be my only option. I'll have to let you know how it turns out...
Until next time!
Lou x
Find me on Facebook...
...and on Twitter
Squirrel-thing photo courtesy of Just My Two Copper
So how does this weekend look? Can I squeeze in some work on my Next Big Thing?
Friday night
I have no plans tonight after I finish work. It's a longer evening with a marginally shorter working day (a measly 30 mins less to work). Perhaps I could write then, if my current box set (Season 7 of '24') doesn't distract me. Now that takes discipline!
Saturday
I'm not making excuses, but I think that day's a write-off (no pun intended). I have three parties to go to, probably only going to make two of them due to geographical limitations, and I intend to enjoy them! No writing there, unless I want some funny looks. Although, as Ernest Hemmingway said 'write drunk, edit sober.'
Sunday
This day could go two ways - recovery or resourcefulness, dependent on the hangover I bring home with me from Bedfordshire. Day of rest? Possibly not.
Friday might be my only option. I'll have to let you know how it turns out...
Until next time!
Lou x
Find me on Facebook...
...and on Twitter
Squirrel-thing photo courtesy of Just My Two Copper
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