Making time for book writing

Here are two words that might make you swoon with longing or simmer with envy: book leave.

For most journalists, though, book leave might not be an option, either financially or realistically, thanks to a news cycle that’s more like a nonstop slog.

...

“By carving out a dedicated space each morning, I was able to finish a draft of the novel, then a second draft of the same novel,” Hayes said. “I could then go about my journalism for the rest of the day without the albatross of creative failure hanging over me. There are many ways to go about building a consistent practice, but making the effort changed everything for me.”

Writing requires time to craft thoughts. In the hearts of every artistic soul is the desire to create their magnum opus. I still feel that draw.

This take from Kristen is correct. To write requires time simply writing. There’s a bunch of tricks to make it palatable, or even interesting, but ultimately time in seat is what matters.

But there’s another element to this that matters just as much. Writing, without a clear strategic point to it will lead to words on a page unread by any but the few patient friends willing to tell you what they really think.

That’s the part that is most challenging.

It’s not enough to just write.

Unless you expect to win the lottery it requires more than just putting letters together. The question then, lies in whether to build the muscle of craft or focus on attracting the eyes to the writing in the first place. I’m still working this out in my own mind.

Via Poynter.