True to my word last week, I’m deep in my process of writing fiction.
More specifically, I’m following the little plan I set for myself. That means I’m reading two kinds of books, simultaneously, and doing a little writing also. Read more here, where I told all of you about my ambitious plan to write fiction.
I’m reading both novels and “how to write” non-fiction books.
It’s been interesting to read the both side-by-side. As I learn more on the “how to” side, I’m noticing things while reading fiction! Learning the language of how to write helps me see these very aspects in others’ writing. I have many “Oh, I see that thing I just learned about!” or “The author did a great example of ‘showing’ and not telling.” etc.
Your Brain When Writing
In one of the books I mentioned I’d be reading, The Writer’s Process, the author did a great job showing how we use our brains when writing. She also gives advice on how to optimize that. In other words, she details how we have a scribe and a muse in our brain. Plus she teaches the best way to get into flow so you can use both at the same time.
Make a Schedule
The author also talked about the importance of having a schedule for writing – and she backs it up with science along with a clever way of comparing it to baking bread, in which I have excellent experience (learn my process for how to make sourdough bread here!).
She writes, “Schedules give us strength.”
That brings me to today’s update for you.
Inspired, I created a schedule, and I want to share it with you for three reasons.
- I’m making myself accountable by putting this schedule out there to all of you. I expect you to keep me accountable! I’ll take some cheerleaders, too, if you feel the draw. :)
- Maybe my writing about my writing process will inspire others to write. Maybe one you out there is in the exact same place as me. You want to live a life where you’re the boss and writing seems like a cool way to do that. But, you have no idea where to begin. Perhaps my process will shed light on ways to do (or not do!) it.
- My writing this blog is indeed writing – which I aim to do some form of writing every day. After all, I can call myself a writer if I write.
Disclaimer!
My schedule is not rooted in any kind of novel-writing experience or science. It bares repeating to you I have no experience with writing a novel. That said, I have written non-fiction books before (see them all here). As a result, I have some experience with the self-publishing process. Still, that only factored into my writing plan a tiny bit.
Frankly, I’m a bit shy to share this with you.
I feel like some of you might be reading it and thinking I have no idea what I’m talking about. And, you’d be right.
Yet, I feel this strong urge to share it anyway so you can be on this journey with me the whole way.
Also, being that I’m inexperienced at this, I fully expect the schedule outlined below could expand or contract for various reasons.
Nonetheless, I need and want something to guide me.
Without further ado… here’s my “writing a novel ” schedule.
December 12 to December 31, 2018
Getting ready and gently beginning.
- Read novels 2 hours a day in various genres of successful authors.
- Read non-fiction “how to” books 2 hours a day and take notes.
- Writing: Morning pages, blogging or journaling
January 1, 2019
New Year’s Day of meditation, reflection, planning, visioneering, and enjoyment.
January 2, 2019 to February 2
Start writing practices and continue learning
- Writing prompts
- Inviting muse time with walks, relaxing, staring out windows…
- Note any story ideas
- Read fiction 1+ hour a day
- Read “how to” books or articles (via Pinterest)1 hour a day (follow my Writing Tips board on Pinterest)
- Writing: Morning pages, blogging, or journaling
February 3 to February 14
Time to really start.
- Pick an idea for a book
- Research it (this includes genre specifics, tropes, etc)
- When research is done, let the muse work its magic with exploration and inspiration. It’s an incubation period.
- Read fiction 1 hour a day
- Read non-fiction “how to” books or articles 1 hour a day
- Writing: Morning pages, writing prompts, story inspirations (scenes, characters, etc), blogging, or journaling
February 15 to February 18
- Read through notes I made in the week prior. Make some structure of them.
- Outline my novel (or novella)
- Read fiction 1 hour a day
February 19 to March 11
- Pick a place for work. We’ll be living in Split, Croatia for most of this time and I’ll set up a cozy corner somewhere in the AirBnB apartment we’ve rented. Having a set place to write my book will keep the writing mojo going by making it accessible from the time my butt hits the chair.
- Write 1st draft. (If I write a novella of ~20,000 words, I could write 2,000 words a day, writing every other day to equal roughly 20 days. If I shoot for a novel, then I’ll double the word count.)
March 12 to March 15
- Rest (step away from the draft and do other things)
- Greg creates cover
- Read fiction and non-fiction
- Writing: Other story ideas, Morning pages, blogging, or journaling
March 15 to April 1
- Revision process and self-editing
- Read fiction and non-fiction
- Writing: Morning pages
April 2 to April 14
- Proofreading team
- Read fiction and non-fiction
- Writing: Morning Pages, blogging, other story ideas
- Plan launch
- Write book description
April 15
- Book Launch! 💃🏻
There you have it. My tentative but exciting (and inspiring) schedule for writing my first novel (or novella). It essentially gives me about 4 months. I fully understand that it can take anything from one month (yes, 1 month!) to two years to write a book. So, we’ll see. If you have any helpful feedback I welcome it!