I'm reading "Writing Magic" by Gail Carson Levine (thanks, Julie Hedlund!). Levine lists these easy-to-f0llow rules for writing:- The best way to write better is to write more.
- The best way to write better is to write more.
- The best way to write better is to write more. (Hmmm, I'm noticing a pattern)
- Write whenever you can, even if it's only for five minutes.
- Read. (We all love reading, right?)
- Reread a beloved book. (I should do this more often)
- Save everything you write, even if you don't like it. Levine suggests keeping everything for at least 15 years. (Wow)
Levine's first three rules got me thinking: she says write more, but doesn't say we must write every day. Semantics?
I try writing every day, but it's not always possible. Does that make me less of a writer? Not so, says Elana Johnson in her post Don't Write Every Day.
And according to the post Don't Write Often, if we're only producing volume, without improving our skills, we're not helping ourselves.
It's important that we hang on to the joy of writing. As Levine suggests, we can sharpen our skills, read great stories, and add words to the page on a regular basis. All without putting too much pressure on ourselves.
How often do you write? If it's not every day, do you feel guilty?
photo credit: google images
I'm lucky if I can write once a week, much less every day! I agree that writing daily can make it feel like more of a chore, but I also agree that the more I write the better I get.
ReplyDeleteI do feel guilty if I don't write every day, but mostly because I have the time and I'm just not wanting to do it for one reason or another.
ReplyDeleteYou've inspired me ... I'm going to go work on my book right now.
I can't even get myself to write everyday during Nano. I don't feel guilty if I skip one day but after a few in a row, I do.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, and typically it's not that I don't want to it's I don't have the time..which that part bothers me because writing is truly my outlet.
ReplyDeleteI desire to have a book published, or two, don't we all, but when all is said and done, writing is really about being able to express myself.
Happy WRiting!
I'm glad to read this post today. (love your reports on writing books!) For 2011 I'm thinking of beginning a quest to write AND read every day. Plus walk every day. I need to speed things up a little. This post is one more sign that I need to do it. Thanks, Julie!
ReplyDeleteI've got Writing Magic on my side table. I love Gail Carson Levine! Thanks for sharing Julie. I think writing more is manageable. Writing every day sometimes isn't. I'm in a procrastination mood lately--so more would be good. Like writing anything right now would be more. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! That sounds simple but it's so hard
ReplyDeleteGood post and good questions. I don't write everyday - my life and schedule make that impossible. I do work on my writing in my head everyday (probably) but that's not quite the same thing. I think everyone needs to find their own rhythm and pace. Like everything else, we're all unique :)
ReplyDeleteIf I don't write something somewhere, I feel like I've gone a whole day without food. If I can't write on my wip, I'll blog. If I can't get to blogging, I'll at least post a sentence on facebook.
ReplyDeleteWriting is like air. Even if it's only a small gasp, it keeps me going....
I love your tips - they are so very true!
ReplyDeleteJane
Good post and tips, Julie! I can't say I write every day, but I do read everyday!
ReplyDeleteI do prefer to write at least half a page every day. And I do believe in saving everything - I wouldn't have a book now if I'd chucked that old, ugly first draft.
ReplyDeleteI think writing regularly means we have more stuff that will potentially be good than if we just write now and then. Also the more you do of anything the better you become and you develop a writing rythym which must be good.That's how I justify blogging too ;O)
ReplyDeleteWriting every single day [or night] isn't necessary. But writing as much as you can certainly helps!
ReplyDeleteLove the advice about rereading a beloved book. It's a great way to get inspired.
Definitely reading a beloved book is at the top of my list. I'm reading more these days, which helps me enjoy my day. I don't write every day, though, and I don't feel guilty. Lately I've been RE-writing stuff I've kept for decades (that's the "save what you write" rule) and I think that counts as writing. But I don't feel guilty if I don't write every day. I need to relax more and stress less!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a thought-provoking post!
Ann Best, A Long Journey Home
I do write every day but not necessarily on my fiction projects. Drafting correspondence, newsletters and other documents for work keeps me tapping away at the keyboard. Then there's blogging, tweeting, emailing, Face-booking etc. But yes, I do feel guilty if I'm not working fairly consistently on my WIP - I feel guilty a lot!!
ReplyDeletesometimes I want to write...I feel it inside but it's sort of like eating dessert...I don't want to eat it cause I want it to last...but I want to eat it cause it's so good. Does that make sense? I've been doing that since nanowriter stopped. Got to get back to writing. Thanks Julie for this.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm working on a novel I write pretty much every day. But when my novel is out with betas or in time-out, I don't. I do more reading during those times and don't guilt myself about the writing. I really find I can't focus on two large projects at once! So if I start something new it's hard to come back to the old...
ReplyDeleteGreat topic, Julie! Thanks.
Amy
Great post. I write most days for at least a little bit, just because I can't bear not to. But I have off days, and busy days, and tired days where it just doesn't happen. Luckily, I rarely feel guilty about it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think it's true that just writing and writing without conscious effort to improve doesn't do us much good! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Write more! Works for me. I also consciously try to write better or different. I think I've found my voice, but I want it to mature. I enjoy doing something well and I believe it's always possible to improve. I never feel guilty about not writing, but I don't think I'm a writer; I'm someone who writes, and that allows me not to become emotionally dependent on writing. Writing is a way for me to showcase healing, and that's my true passion.
ReplyDeleteI don't write every day and I don't feel guilty about it. I write in spurts. As soon as I "force" myself to write, it will cease to become something I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Um, I think you probably already know the answer to that question. :D But I do it because I'm driven to, and I love it. Not because I feel some sense of outside pressure. That makes a big difference.
ReplyDeleteI try to write practically everyday. But there are days when I am unable to write, I then feel very guilty. I have decided to write a minimum of 500 words everyday. More than that will be great, but not less.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! Loved it, Julie.
I think you've hit the nail on the head. I don't write every day, but when I do write, I'm trying to keep learning and improving. If you can manage that while writing every day, then that's what you should do. If you can't, no need to feel guilty! I have a demanding job and a lot of things to get done. I write regularly and I write plenty when I do, but I don't worry if it's not every day. Quality, not quantity, and all that.
ReplyDeleteI try and write every day, even if it's scribbles in the school pick-up line. I wish I had time to read more though. I used to read a book a day or so, and now, since writing, I think it's like a book a month. I miss it.
ReplyDeleteI write every day, but it's for my job. Still, it *does* keep the muscles in shape. As for reading, I learn from books I love, but perhaps more from books I *don't*... yes? :o) <3
ReplyDeleteI don't write every day but try to. I write and write and try to read books to improve my skills. Good list!
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to reread some of my favorites but there are so many other books I have not read. Quandary..
ReplyDeleteLike the tips.
I think what has really worked for me is finding a routine of sorts that still allows me time to care for my large family and all that goes with that.
Five pages.Long Hand.Every Morning.In a binder.
It has saved me from throwing in the pen.
I love Levine's 7 tips! I try to write every day, but only because I'm in the zone at the moment. I have some days/weeks when I don't feel like writing, and I usually give myself that time off to recharge. I do agree that you need to expand your skills though, otherwise you plateau as a writer.
ReplyDeleteRach
I do writing-related stuff everyday. I may not be actively working on the WIP, but I'm reading, or researching or critiquing someone else's work. I think it all counts towards self-improvement.
ReplyDeleteI try to write everyday, but sometimes life intrudes. I know I shouldn't feel guilty. I still do, but I know I shouldn't. ;o)
ReplyDeleteAll writers can benefit from time away for real life and give their brain a break. I don't write on weekend, usually. And I don't spend all day writing during the week, but I do try and reach goals for the day and the week.
ReplyDeleteI don't write every day, nor do I write every week - and YES I feel guilty, but I try not to. Be patient, I tell myself, and just keep coming back to it. Slow and steady...for me anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteJulie, I'm so glad you like the book. I love that list too, and the fact that she says to write more for the first three.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the way to get better is to write more, but that has to be followed up by editing more, revising more. I think that is where most of the improvement comes from.
I do write everyday, but sometimes it's just a list of bullet points in my spiral notebook to add to WIP when I get to the laptop.
ReplyDeleteI LIKE to write everyday, but boohoo, I don't get to. Life interrupts, ya know. Do I feel guilty? Hmm, sorta. I think ANXIOUS is more the word. Anxious to get back to my WIP, antsy to carry on my dialogue, expand my plot, develop my characters. Luckily, I don't work outside the home so I have a fair bulk of time to write.
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point. There is such a thing as over doing it and there is no point in writing without improving! Except for fun of course. I write five days, sometimes six. I also go to workshops, writer retreats, and get together with my crit group to make sure I'm always improving.
ReplyDeleteI try to write every day. I definitely agree that to write better you write more.
ReplyDeleteBTW there is an award waiting for you at my blog Julie!
save everything you write for 15 years?? yikes - i think some folks would run out of room!! but great advice overall ;-)
ReplyDeleteIf you count blog posts, I do end up writing every day, but I am not sure if that does anything more than build up discipline about writing.
ReplyDeleteI would rather write when I can write reasonably well, than stress myself out to write badly every day. But that may be why I am just not getting any writing done.
Excellent advice Julie. I started blogging December 2, 2005 and I've missed two days since then.
ReplyDeleteBlogging helped me to land a weekly column in the local newspaper and I published a book of those columns last year.
Thanks for sharing this post.
I tend to take one day off a week but sometimes I don't. It just depends on what's going on in my life. I tend to rise early so even on days very full with non-writing committments I can ususally squeeze a little time in.
ReplyDeleteI have good intentions of writing everyday, but it doesn't happen. I guess I let things get in the way. Lets take the word guess out of that last sentence. I do let other things get in the way. I need to make my writing more of a priority, because if I don't, no one else will see it as a priority for me. And I wonder why there are days that I feel no one takes me serious as a writer? Duh!
ReplyDeleteI've felt guilty about not writing every day but I'm getting over that feeling. I agree that it's more important to improve as a writer than to produce volumes of writing that doesn't get any better. I'm glad I'm not the only one not writing every day!
ReplyDeleteI commented on Elana's post that I write every day like some crazy nut job. Since then I've reduced my blogging schedule, and now I'm going back to blogging more. So go figure if we make sure our tanks are full we won't burn out in any one area. I've caught up on my scrapbooking, and that feels great! (And I don't write every single day now either)
ReplyDelete