Image via WikipediaAbsorbing Writing, the Emma Bird/Joanna Young collaboration, asks, what is your ideal writing weekend?
Thinking back on the ideal writing weekends I’ve had (and perhaps I’m lucky to have had even one), these qualities stand out.
It starts with stimulating conversation. I’m not much good at drawing inspiration from nature, and can’t create ideas in a vacuum. But a lively exchange of ideas can open up all sorts of writing possibilities. Chemistry, that hard to define quality that makes certain conversations click, is all important. In a fifteen minute conversation with George Ajazi, an SEO specialist and occasional collaborator, I can generate enough solid ideas to keep me at the keyboard for an entire weekend or more. Most often, these conversations crystallize ideas that have been vaguely rumbling around in my head for a while. When an idea becomes clear, I like to start writing. Some writers are comfortable starting out with vaguely formed ideas — how do you do it?
Have long blocks of time available. When I start writing something, I don’t like to stop until I finish it, or at least complete a coherent first draft. Hours pass like minutes, and it wouldn’t be unusual for me to be at the keyboard for twelve hours straight. This is obviously hard to pull off during business hours, so weekends are ideal.
Eliminate interruptions. Though I can usually keep my focus regardless of what’s going on around me, I like to be practical, so I eliminate potential distractions where I can. Cell phone off. No checking email or messing around on Twitter. Don’t tell my wife, but I’ve even disconnected the house phone on one or two occasions (we never get anything but telemarketing calls on the land line anymore).
Get feedback. When I finish a project, which on a weekend timetable would ideally be early Sunday afternoon, I like to get feedback right away. I’m fortunate to have a few really outstanding sounding boards who never fail to poke holes in what I’ve done and suggest meaningful improvements. Those conversations are important and just as stimulating as the ones that probably kicked off the project in the first place. And if I stay on schedule, I can take action on the feedback and wrap things up before the Monday morning whistle blows.
Brad, thanks so much for taking part and sharing your ideal writing weekend. It’s interesting (to me, who tends to be more introverted) how important stimulating conversation is for you. Food for thought (for me) there.
I like the point about feedback too. I think a lot of people are nervous of feedback but constructive feedback can help us see things – good things in our work – and then strengthen them, that might otherwise lie buried.
Sorry that sentence wasn’t very grammatical but hopefully you’ll get my drift!
Thanks again for your contribution
Joanna
Brad, you’ve sketched a great writing weekend here! I am not always keen to turn everything off and start writing, but it might be a great idea. I have to try it next weekend, when I actually have some serious writing waiting for me.
Hi Joanna, Got your drift! You were doing a lot of conversing at SOBCon, and I’ve seen the fruits of it in your work, so maybe you’re more tuned in to conversation on that front than you think?
Alina, Good luck with the shroud of silence technique. Please let me know how it works out.
In my case, the ideal writing weekend, I would make at least three or four grammar errors per sentence – that’s because on an ideal weekend, the only writing I would be doing was at my Saturday Korean class, where every sentence I attempt is characterized by many errors in spelling and grammar.
As much as I love writing, my ideal weekend would involve predominately other pursuits, like traveling, bushwalking, cultural appreciation, karaoke and other fun stuff.
However, for many bloggers, particularly those with extensive work and family commitments, writing on the weekend is a sacrifice (albeit an enjoyable sacrifice) that must be made as the price for maintaining a successful blog.
I certainly agree with your point about long blocks of uninterrupted time – effective writing is very difficult without it in my view.
Perhaps the one main point which I would add to the effectiveness of any writing session, whether it be an evening, weekend or whatever, it to set at least some basic objectives or goals for your writing session.
Oh, and another thing, if you write inside, heavy rain or hail helps, so that you do not wish you were doing something else.
Hi Andrew, Sounds like you have achieved some good balance in your life, which is wonderful since you are now in a position to explore a new culture. Maybe on one of those rainy days you can write about your experiences as a teacher in South Korea for us!
Ironically enough, I think my ideal writing weekend is not spent writing at all, but absorbing things to write about! That’s what happened at the Laity Lodge retreat I attended. Results: 3 posts and counting – more to come – none of which was written on the weekend itself. Go figure.
“were” written – I meant to say, “none of which were written”. Sheesh.
Hi Robert, You sound a bit like Andrew there, and it’s obvious your retreat has led to quantity AND quality writing.
Brad,
12 hours sitting straight at your keyboard? Wow, could not imagine that! I think my ideal writing weekend would be having some nice tea in the morning and then retreating to my laptop. In the morning the sun is not shining into my working-room, so it is fresh and cool (good for the head!).And then I would sit and write for about 2 1/2 hours. After that I usually go out and enjoy the summer weather… Often I continue to write in the early evening.
Ulla
Hi Ulla, How are you? I admire your moderation, probably a more healthy and more sustainable approach to writing. I just find it so difficult to walk away from an exciting project.