by Bobbie Christmas
I devoted an entire chapter to my Bill of Writes for writers in my seven-award-winning book on creative writing titled Write In Style: How to Use Your Computer to Improve Your Writing. Special to WPN, I have agreed to list and explain each item in my Bill of Writes through a series of articles. Below is number three in my Bill of Writes. Watch for the remaining items in future newsletters.
You Have the Right to Spend Time Alone Practicing Your Craft
No one lives in isolation. You have many demands on your time. Parents, siblings, significant others, even animals and friends make demands on you. In addition, you probably must spend time at work, school, and/or fulfilling other obligations, as well as spending time traveling to and from work, school, and other obligations. You must wash your clothes, clean your abode, feed yourself and your family, exercise, and even relax or meditate. You are not alone in wondering when you will ever find time to write, especially when the people you love want to spend time with you.
You must spend time alone, though, or you will never write.
No one has ever written a great work of art at a family reunion, although a family reunion can certainly provide great material for books, stories, and poetry later, when you make time to sit and write.
Other people, events, and obligations will make demands on your time; that’s a known fact. Few people magically find time to write, as if the clouds part and their schedule mysteriously becomes clear of all demands. Instead, writers make time to write. Make a schedule, stick to it, and write without interruption at least once a week. Do whatever it takes to create the time you need to practice your craft.
Bobbie Christmas is a book doctor with twenty-five years of experience and is the author of Write In Style: How to Use Your Computer to Improve Your Craft, winner of seven awards. Her website is www.zebraeditor.com.