Comments on: Survival Toolbox for Writers

By: Last Weeks Links For 10/12-10/17 | B. Shaun Smith

Last Weeks Links For 10/12-10/17 | B. Shaun Smith — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 21:27:31 +0000

[…] Survival toolbox for writers […]

By: Barbara Rae Robinson

Barbara Rae Robinson — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 21:42:43 +0000

I'm too easily distracted. And I have a retired husband at home who does want me to venture out of my writer cave occasionally to interact with him. I also have to do all my own cooking because of multiple food allergies. Kitchen prep takes time. Too much of it. And I have a friend I don't dare discuss my stories with. She immediately wants me to write them the way she would. And she doesn't read romantic suspense. Hardly reads any fiction at all. These are all "tools" I need to heed. Thanks.

By: Orly Konig-Lopez

Orly Konig-Lopez — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 21:36:06 +0000

In reply to bethhavey. Ahhh, a good book. Yes! Novels and craft books. Thanks for adding those to the must have list. :-)

By: bethhavey

bethhavey — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 20:08:09 +0000

Thanks, Orly, the responses certainly underline that we agree with you, and though we might have individual struggles, it's certainly true that protecting writing time is the ONLY thing that will help someone BE a writer. In my writer's tool box there is coffee, but there are also books--reading a good novel for inspiration and to ease off one's own characters for a while can be a great creative fix. Oh and chocolate--while doing that reading.

By: Orly Konig-Lopez

Orly Konig-Lopez — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:51:16 +0000

In reply to Debbie Herbert. At least you procrastinate WITH housework. I can't even claim clean bathrooms. ;-) If you ever need an accountability goose, you know where to find me!

By: Orly Konig-Lopez

Orly Konig-Lopez — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:49:45 +0000

In reply to wendyleslie. Sounds like you can teach us a few things! :-) Thanks for sharing, Wendy.

By: Debbie Herbert

Debbie Herbert — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 18:31:37 +0000

I need to enforce writing time. I'm my own worse enemy. I procrastinate writing with housework and that needs to STOP. Thanks, Orly.

By: wendyleslie

wendyleslie — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 22:57:25 +0000

Thank you Orly. The "Writers without Boundaries" group sounds familiar. Too familiar :) All the great comments here reinforce the need for boundary setting. thanks everyone. It's like when I moved into an apartment from a large house with gardens front and back - I took up Bonzai and pot plants for my balcony instead. It works well and my back ache from bending is gone. I've similarly trimmed much of the volunteering (exit the vegie patch) the groups I attended but wasn't enjoying anymore (nil pruning and lopping) and not sharing ideas after a similar depressing period with a small writing group who were there for the biscuits and cake. PS the spare bedroom is now W's Office - only writing and painting are done there.

By: Orly Konig-Lopez

Orly Konig-Lopez — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 21:33:05 +0000

In reply to 50at70. Sounds like you have a great "boundary sentry" in your friend. Having writing pals to keep us accountable is a huge motivator. If you make a commitment to your writing pal that you'll have a chapter for her to read every other week (for example), then it's harder to walk away from the writing. :-)

By: Orly Konig-Lopez

Orly Konig-Lopez — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 21:25:17 +0000

In reply to A Writer With Something To Say. Time boundaries! Not easy, I agree. I used to get up an hour before anyone else in the house to write. Of course now that I don't have to steal time, I can't haul myself out of bed that early.