Working Full-Time and Writing
(or for any busy writer)
As always, remember that these tips won't all work for everyone, so pick and choose what's right for you.
Sorry I’m a little late this month, but better late than never, right?
How to keep learning when you're crazy-busy, part one:
Best-selling suspense author Brandilyn Collins once said that she is constantly learning the writing craft. This made an impression in my heart like a seal in a glob of wax. This kind of attitude from a successful writer reminds me that there's always more for me to learn.
Writing books. Everyone has a stack that people have recommended to them. Dig in.
However, if you find a book isn't doing it for you, don't waste time. Chuck it and start another one. Life is too short to waste on a non-useful book.
Research books. I also read books related to my brand and my genre. Since I write chick lit, I read other chick lit books, both Christian and mainstream. Since I write Asian American characters, I’ve picked up a few Asian American studies books.
If you’re targeting a certain genre such as contemporary romance, then read those books, if only to figure out what the editors are looking for.
It’s also possible to see how far the editor or publishing house will push by reading their books and studying the issues dealt with, the level of violence or sexuality, the language allowed.
Writing magazines. Short articles are gems because you can usually finish in about 5-10 minutes.
Writing workshops on CD or MP3. More about this in part two next month.
How to find time to read?
Sometimes you have to just carry the book or magazine around all day with you and read in five-minute spurts--while waiting to pick up the kids from school, during commercials, etc.
I keep a writing magazine in the car so that anytime I'm surprised by a random segment of time, I have something productive to read.
I am not ashamed to admit it, I keep a writing magazine and a writing book next to each toilet in each bathroom in my house, so that no matter where I’m sitting, I have something to peruse. I also stick a magazine next to the couch in the TV room so that I can sift through the articles during commercial breaks.
These scenarios are where the short articles in a magazine come in handiest. Often a chapter in a writing craft book is just too long.
You can also set aside one hour a week (actually schedule it in your planner so you don't skip it or do something else) for reading a writing book or magazine.
One option is that if you have a lunch break, read a writing magazine or book while you eat. Sure, it’s not very sociable, but not eating lunch with your coworkers a few times a week isn’t going to make you a pariah.
If your kids have a nap time or a quiet time, or even during a time out, read an article or a chapter in a book. Or if they have a program they’re engrossed in, snatch a few minutes to catch up on your magazine articles.
Look for times during your day that you can sneak in a few minutes to read. Sometimes those few minutes aren’t really long enough to zip to your computer and churn out a paragraph, but they’re long enough to skim an article.
Next month: Workshop CDs and tapes.
Camy Tang
lives in San Jose, California. She previously worked in biology research,
and she is a staff worker for her church youth group. She runs the Story Sensei critique service, and her Asian chick lit novel releases in September from Zondervan.
Comments