Comments on: Some Final Steps (At Least For Now) To Help You Get More Writing Done http://arvonblog.org/2009/05/29/some-final-steps-at-least-for-now-to-help-you-get-more-writing-done/ Welcome to Arvon's blog, a gift from the Arvon Friends - the important people who keep our walls upright and our writers well-fed and well-read. Our blog keeps you up-to-date on all the latest goings-on in the four Arvon writing houses around the UK. If you are not an Arvon Friend yet, visit www.arvonfoundation.org and click on Support Us to find out more about how to join. Anyone can leave comments on this site - and you are particularly encouraged to if you have been on an Arvon writing course. If you have any queries about Arvon Friends membership, email friends@arvonfoundation.org. Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:32:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Sally Crawford http://arvonblog.org/2009/05/29/some-final-steps-at-least-for-now-to-help-you-get-more-writing-done/#comment-3843 Sally Crawford Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:10:17 +0000 http://arvonblog.org/?p=407#comment-3843 :)) I hope it works for you. I'm starting to get used to the idea that self and work interact. 'It' tells 'me' when 'it's' ready for the next stage - and we negotiate. :)) (But see also comments above re sneaky displacement activities.) :) ) I hope it works for you.

I’m starting to get used to the idea that self and work interact. ‘It’ tells ‘me’ when ‘it’s’ ready for the next stage – and we negotiate. :) )

(But see also comments above re sneaky displacement activities.)

]]> By: Jane Kennedy Sutton http://arvonblog.org/2009/05/29/some-final-steps-at-least-for-now-to-help-you-get-more-writing-done/#comment-3842 Jane Kennedy Sutton Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:49:41 +0000 http://arvonblog.org/?p=407#comment-3842 Good suggestions. I am going to try working on more than one project at a time. I pretty much have a one-track mind so I'm not sure how it will go. Thanks for the mention. Good suggestions. I am going to try working on more than one project at a time. I pretty much have a one-track mind so I’m not sure how it will go. Thanks for the mention.

]]> By: Sally Crawford http://arvonblog.org/2009/05/29/some-final-steps-at-least-for-now-to-help-you-get-more-writing-done/#comment-3833 Sally Crawford Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:50:51 +0000 http://arvonblog.org/?p=407#comment-3833 On writing a novel, Stephen King says get your head down and get the first draft written down no matter what. THEN start the process of workshopping it; sharing it with your writing buddy; getting the opinion of others. On writing a novel, Stephen King says get your head down and get the first draft written down no matter what.

THEN start the process of workshopping it; sharing it with your writing buddy; getting the opinion of others.

]]> By: Sally Crawford http://arvonblog.org/2009/05/29/some-final-steps-at-least-for-now-to-help-you-get-more-writing-done/#comment-3832 Sally Crawford Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:47:17 +0000 http://arvonblog.org/?p=407#comment-3832 It's so true that other pieces of writing can divert you from the big one. How can we make our big projects as achievable as the comparatively short ones? It’s so true that other pieces of writing can divert you from the big one.

How can we make our big projects as achievable as the comparatively short ones?

]]> By: Bookrambler http://arvonblog.org/2009/05/29/some-final-steps-at-least-for-now-to-help-you-get-more-writing-done/#comment-3831 Bookrambler Sun, 07 Jun 2009 08:57:18 +0000 http://arvonblog.org/?p=407#comment-3831 One more thing - definitely find a writing buddy - someone you trust not to judge or quibble but give honest feedback and who will 'nudge' you to get on with the writing process. One more thing – definitely find a writing buddy – someone you trust not to judge or quibble but give honest feedback and who will ‘nudge’ you to get on with the writing process.

]]> By: Bookrambler http://arvonblog.org/2009/05/29/some-final-steps-at-least-for-now-to-help-you-get-more-writing-done/#comment-3830 Bookrambler Sun, 07 Jun 2009 08:55:36 +0000 http://arvonblog.org/?p=407#comment-3830 Yes - I agree that it's always good to have more than one project on the go so that you are constantly coming up with fresh copy and fresh ideas - however, I find that I can use this as a way of avoiding work on the 'big' novel. As you say, it's easy to write blog posts, short reviews and journo articles. The hard part is the self-generated creativity and the work that, unless you send it off, no one will see. Self-discipline is key - write down your plans, tell others, find a way to subvert your own excuses for not writing - I think that's the key. Yes – I agree that it’s always good to have more than one project on the go so that you are constantly coming up with fresh copy and fresh ideas – however, I find that I can use this as a way of avoiding work on the ‘big’ novel. As you say, it’s easy to write blog posts, short reviews and journo articles. The hard part is the self-generated creativity and the work that, unless you send it off, no one will see. Self-discipline is key – write down your plans, tell others, find a way to subvert your own excuses for not writing – I think that’s the key.

]]> By: Sally Crawford http://arvonblog.org/2009/05/29/some-final-steps-at-least-for-now-to-help-you-get-more-writing-done/#comment-3824 Sally Crawford Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:49:04 +0000 http://arvonblog.org/?p=407#comment-3824 I’m impressed. It is so good to hear from someone who has already been through that process and knows how important it is to work out how to constructively take a break from the main novel. (And this all makes me feel better about my 'embryonic' (prev. known as abandoned) novels!) I’m impressed. It is so good to hear from someone who has already been through that process and knows how important it is to work out how to constructively take a break from the main novel.

(And this all makes me feel better about my ‘embryonic’ (prev. known as abandoned) novels!)

]]> By: dirtywhitecandy http://arvonblog.org/2009/05/29/some-final-steps-at-least-for-now-to-help-you-get-more-writing-done/#comment-3823 dirtywhitecandy Sun, 31 May 2009 10:28:03 +0000 http://arvonblog.org/?p=407#comment-3823 Great thread, Sally. Especially your point about keeping more than one project on the go. This doesn't have to be confined to those of us whose writing projects are relatively short, such as poems or short stories. Even in the thick of a novel, I keep several other 'possible novels' ticking away in the background - gathering notes and ideas and inspirational sources. Slowly some of these become plots, then drafts. So when I need a break from the main novel but I don't want to waste my creative time, I can tinker with an embryo one that will one day evolve into a fully fledged novel of its own. Great thread, Sally. Especially your point about keeping more than one project on the go. This doesn’t have to be confined to those of us whose writing projects are relatively short, such as poems or short stories. Even in the thick of a novel, I keep several other ‘possible novels’ ticking away in the background – gathering notes and ideas and inspirational sources. Slowly some of these become plots, then drafts. So when I need a break from the main novel but I don’t want to waste my creative time, I can tinker with an embryo one that will one day evolve into a fully fledged novel of its own.

]]>