The Processes of Writing: Scheduling and Time Management

The process of writing is as subjective as the product. Sometimes, however, hearing about the creative process of others can be interesting. It might help one consider things that you had not. It might give one insight into one’s own creative process. It might reaffirm why one does things the way they do.

For today’s blog post, I’d like to discuss scheduling and time management.

I’ve said in the past that I don’t believe creativity can be turned on and off like a garden hose. And I do believe that. Creativity is a very abstract thing, but I’m always afraid of “wasting” it. I also don’t think that forcing a story out makes it better: after all, if you have to force it, then can it really be that good?

But that doesn’t mean that creativity will come to you unaided, either. One has to create the best possible circumstances for writing.

This is where scheduling comes in. There’s a Tom Robbins quote I’ve always liked:

“I show up in my writing room at approximately 10 A.M. every morning without fail. Sometimes my muse sees fit to join me there and sometimes she doesn't, but she always knows where I'll be. She doesn't need to go hunting in the taverns or on the beach or drag the boulevard looking for me.”

I think this is a good illustration of how scheduling a creative endeavor should work. You can and should set aside time for it. You should minimize distraction and ensure there is no impediments or distractions waiting for you.

At the same time, you shouldn’t expect this preparation to always have a result. I often encounter people who have specific word counts or goals to meet when writing. To me, this always comes off as a bit counter-intuitive. If you write for 30 minutes, what is the guarantee it will be any better or worse than 25 minutes of writing? Or 35? The same goes for word or page counts.

For me, when I want to write, I have to feel the mood strike me. I have to posses an idea that interests me enough to write it. And of course, I have to minimize distractions for when I actually sit down to write. And when all this is done and I write something, I try not to judge myself on whether I’ve written 1,000 words or only 100. If I have to stop writing because I’m hungry, or if I peter to a halt in the middle of an idea, then so be it.

Creative endeavors are one of those things where the process is confusingly subjective. Many of the work habits we develop over our lives simply aren’t suited to the act of creation. This can be frustrating, because it means that how one writes best as an individual can lack a frame of reference.

For myself, I’m always happy when I do write. I never want writing to feel like a chore or work (even though it ultimately is). I remember that on the few occasions I emphasized scheduled output, the result was garbage (in fact, you can even read it: it’s called Think Pink, and I wrote each chapter of it in one sitting over the course of a week).

How does your own writing process use (or ignore) schedules and time management? Do you have a specific ritual that you follow? Or is it more like a spur of the moment one-night-stand with your muse?

Thanks for reading. Be sure to check out my previous process post, if you missed it: The Use, Lack, and Potency of Planning and Outlines.