Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Write on Wednesday: Write on Schedule

Becca’s Write on Wednesday writing prompt is as follows:

How does writing fit into your daily life? What’s your ideal time to write, and why? Do you “write on schedule” or “when the spirit moves you”?

For me, that’s not a simple answer. As a working writer/editor, I live and die by deadlines every single day. I edit a monthly magazine and a weekly newsletter (and write any non-PBS-supplied copy) , along with quarterly newsletters, press releases, marketing plans and advertising copy writing.
Pretty much all of these come with pretty tight and regular deadlines. It doesn’t matter if my ideal time to write is morning or evening, I’m doing it all day.

But on my own stuff… well, often that means the blog. I’ll “think” it in the evening the night before I post and may indeed actually write it and e-mail it to myself, so I can post it the following day.

But, sometimes, that “think” carries on until after work or late in the day when I can jot it down and post then and there.

I build it into the schedule then, because I have to, not necessarily because I’m inspired! That’s why the better I “think” it, the easier it is to write.

Other things – poetry comes to mind as a key example, are written “when the spirit moves me.” Last night, for example, I jotted down six topics and for a couple of them, a few phrases I didn’t want to forget. I probably won’t work on those poems till about a week or two before they are “due” (as part of an annual gift, which includes writing and creating an art-book with the poems).

I guess I write best under pressure!

9 comments:

Naturegirl said...

Jeanie you are a
(((busy camper)))..whew! I am sure your writing it is a labor of love.
I am always writing notes for my blog or ideas or thinking when I capture an image...it always comes together the night before I post and I may edit the day of.
Don't we all work well under pressure! :)aNNa

Becca said...

My work day is centered around writing too, but not the creative kind. So sometimes I feel like it's overkill to come home and write some more!

I've found I work better with deadlines too, which is why I always get do much done during the NaNoWriMo in November!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

What a good idea, to write down thoughts for later. I'm an off the top of my head person, and write the same as I talk, a bit babbly.

JessInFocus said...

I'm not much of a writer and usually don't have to write for my job aside from emails and instructions, but I always work best with a deadline. The closer it is the better. Except for yesterday when I was told "This is due by noon" and it was 11:58!

Thanks. It is good to be back in blog land. Missed you too!

Beth said...

That poem book looks amazing. I think your one one of the best writers that I know. Things are tough right now for me because of my Dad's health problems.
xoxooxoxoxooxoxoxo

Jeanne said...

Blessings and much love..........
thanks for your visits and kind words always~
I love to come and visit~

Anonymous said...

The book is lovely - did you make it? And full of your own poetry; how delightful!

Before my grandma died, I 'wrote' things for her as gifts, which she showed great appreciation for. My first audience!

It's amazing, isn't it, how a brilliant thought or idea can just disappear if you don't write it down?

This is my first visit here - I shall be back!

Tammy Brierly said...

Jeanie,
Your job sounds right up my alley. I love deadlines!

Your poetry book is lovely. I'm compiling mine but I need a cover yet.

Anonymous said...

It's awesome that with all the writing/editing you do, you also get out and about with your camera. Isn't it a wonderful way to speak after working with words all day? LOVED the pictures.

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