First--LOVED this post! So good! I am a fan of structure and accountability, and I love these ideas.
Recently, I needed to re-read a manuscript I had set aside to focus on publishing my debut novel. I was really struggling to make myself sit down and read it, because, well, after you have written something and already read it dozens of times, it gets boring.
I'm a high school teacher by day, though, and it eventually occurred to me to assign myself as many pages of reading each day as I assigned my students to read for homework. Sometimes that was two pages, sometimes it was 32 pages. And guess what, using that "container," I finished re-reading the entire manuscript.
(Have I started the needed revisions yet...? No... Still looking for the right container for that project...)
Oh my gosh, this is BRILLIANT! Rereading is always such a sticking point for me and other writers I know. Chunking it down by pages (and paired with the assignments for your students) is incredibly smart. Thank you for sharing this!
Re: containers for revisions, one writer I know who was working on a musical approached revisions one scene at a time. One chapter at a time might not be appropriate for you right now, if the revisions are more macro than micro, but I'm also experimenting with things like "let's do a revision just based on this one character," or "let's do a quick revision just focusing on scene descriptions." My brain likes the smaller container, and it forces me to do more than just, like, add and delete commas. Wanted to share in case that is in any way helpful!
Thanks so much for the suggestion! I think I'm going to go about it in way similar to what you advise. I have a list that includes revision "containers"/to-do's like "change all Florida scenes (and relevant details) to Michigan," "develop Argos the dog's role throughout manuscript," "develop the reason Marissa rejects Ty's marriage proposal," "figure out when the pregnancy becomes apparent--before or after Ty's death?--and revise accordingly."
I LOVED this post! I love the logic and permission to do more and/or less depending on the day, the mood, the weather (I love gray days for reading!). I love structure, yet can be a slave to it. Your post helped me reframe how I thought about time allocation and my priorities. XO
Hi Amy!! And I'm so glad! Definitely wanting some wiggle room and allowing choices for myself, too. Hope you find some new things to check off that brighten your days!
LOVE this!!! And look at the synchronicity -- there are exactly 10 days between today and heading to Edinburgh for my first-year milestone... now to spend some time picking how I score my 10 points...
Hooray!! I also love this as a way to close out the month. Hmm, wonder if I could do this 10-day experiment to start or end *every* month?! Lots of possibilities to consider! And I would love to know what you might settle on with your creative brain!
So I have been thinking this over, and I think every month would be too much. What is helping this work for me at the moment is that it is an occasional sprint, not a recurring pattern. Also, I find that when I'm moving into a "closing" period (e.g. working towards a deadline) I can be hyper focused. I need this type of gamification more to kick things off or (like now) to navigate transition periods. I could see this being helpful at the start of each term or quarter, to boost habits and get the right things moving.
Post event uncertainty? I have no idea what you’re talking about. JK. I have no idea who I am and what I do after Friday’s big event. I know there’s a bunch of things I want to do, but I’m still not sure which one I will do first. My plan for the week is to only do the things that feel certain and clear. Anything that doesn’t goes into “I’ll decide later” pile.
Oh, I definitely had your love of "experiments" in my ear as I dreamed this up! And maaaay have also been thinking about that post-event, post-big high feeling in light of everything you've accomplished these last few months lol.
It seems VERY WISE to not immediately jump into something but rather take one step at a time in the direction of clarity. You always know just what to do. And what is needed.
It got serious when she made a spreadsheet! I was like "Oh god she is giving us homework...."
I'm convinced we spend 20 years rebelling against homework, only to crave it later!!
First--LOVED this post! So good! I am a fan of structure and accountability, and I love these ideas.
Recently, I needed to re-read a manuscript I had set aside to focus on publishing my debut novel. I was really struggling to make myself sit down and read it, because, well, after you have written something and already read it dozens of times, it gets boring.
I'm a high school teacher by day, though, and it eventually occurred to me to assign myself as many pages of reading each day as I assigned my students to read for homework. Sometimes that was two pages, sometimes it was 32 pages. And guess what, using that "container," I finished re-reading the entire manuscript.
(Have I started the needed revisions yet...? No... Still looking for the right container for that project...)
Oh my gosh, this is BRILLIANT! Rereading is always such a sticking point for me and other writers I know. Chunking it down by pages (and paired with the assignments for your students) is incredibly smart. Thank you for sharing this!
Re: containers for revisions, one writer I know who was working on a musical approached revisions one scene at a time. One chapter at a time might not be appropriate for you right now, if the revisions are more macro than micro, but I'm also experimenting with things like "let's do a revision just based on this one character," or "let's do a quick revision just focusing on scene descriptions." My brain likes the smaller container, and it forces me to do more than just, like, add and delete commas. Wanted to share in case that is in any way helpful!
Thanks so much for the suggestion! I think I'm going to go about it in way similar to what you advise. I have a list that includes revision "containers"/to-do's like "change all Florida scenes (and relevant details) to Michigan," "develop Argos the dog's role throughout manuscript," "develop the reason Marissa rejects Ty's marriage proposal," "figure out when the pregnancy becomes apparent--before or after Ty's death?--and revise accordingly."
I LOVED this post! I love the logic and permission to do more and/or less depending on the day, the mood, the weather (I love gray days for reading!). I love structure, yet can be a slave to it. Your post helped me reframe how I thought about time allocation and my priorities. XO
Hi Amy!! And I'm so glad! Definitely wanting some wiggle room and allowing choices for myself, too. Hope you find some new things to check off that brighten your days!
LOVE this!!! And look at the synchronicity -- there are exactly 10 days between today and heading to Edinburgh for my first-year milestone... now to spend some time picking how I score my 10 points...
Hooray!! I also love this as a way to close out the month. Hmm, wonder if I could do this 10-day experiment to start or end *every* month?! Lots of possibilities to consider! And I would love to know what you might settle on with your creative brain!
So I have been thinking this over, and I think every month would be too much. What is helping this work for me at the moment is that it is an occasional sprint, not a recurring pattern. Also, I find that when I'm moving into a "closing" period (e.g. working towards a deadline) I can be hyper focused. I need this type of gamification more to kick things off or (like now) to navigate transition periods. I could see this being helpful at the start of each term or quarter, to boost habits and get the right things moving.
Oooh this is such a good observation. Definitely feels more aligned with a "generative" phase for me, too. A quarterly refresh sounds delightful!
LOVE this idea! Good luck!
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Post event uncertainty? I have no idea what you’re talking about. JK. I have no idea who I am and what I do after Friday’s big event. I know there’s a bunch of things I want to do, but I’m still not sure which one I will do first. My plan for the week is to only do the things that feel certain and clear. Anything that doesn’t goes into “I’ll decide later” pile.
PS you know I am crazy about time bound goals and assignments, and can’t wait to cheer you on with this one and get on the bandwagon when I recover!
Oh, I definitely had your love of "experiments" in my ear as I dreamed this up! And maaaay have also been thinking about that post-event, post-big high feeling in light of everything you've accomplished these last few months lol.
It seems VERY WISE to not immediately jump into something but rather take one step at a time in the direction of clarity. You always know just what to do. And what is needed.
Can't wait to recap during you-known-when!
that is a truth...but also so so sad...
I love this idea! Now I just need to figure out what I want to add up...
You probably have so many creative ideas for it! I'd love to know what you settle on!
I'm bookmarking this issue so I can return and report back!!!
Love this idea! Perhaps I’ll try a similar experiment using my lucky number 24…
YES! I love the sound of 24 in 2024!!