It's the first Wednesday in December so it's time for the Insecure Writer's Support group!
This month's question is:
Are there months or times of the year that you are more productive with your writing than other months, and why?For me, November is always my most productive month as a writer because of NaNo. I have done the challenge numerous times over the years, and while I haven't always 'won', I've always done something.
In the last couple of years, I've really prioritized November as a writing month and have taken days off from my day job to ensure I can give everything I can to writing during the month. I don't usually finish whatever I'm writing in the month - my books tend to be closer to 80K than 50K - but it's a fantastic foundation to start with.
The rest of the year I tend to edit and revise and re-write more than I actually write new material. Unless I get floored by an idea that demands to be written, of course! I already know that once I'm finished drafting my NaNo book I'll probably start drafting the book I initially thought I was going to write during NaNo, before my Catholic school lesbians took over my brain.
Finding time to write is always a challenge for me, as is finding the energy. I write a lot for a job, and there are often no words left at the end of the day for me to mine. So I write in the early hours of the morning, before work, and during the weekends. And when I really need to get things done, like editing to a deadline, or really needing to get a story out, I take time off from my day job to do it.
Are there any times of year when you're more productive? What are they? And do you know why?
I did NaNo officially for three years and then unofficially for a few others. The first time I tried unofficially I failed miserably (mostly because I moved during that month and didn’t get my computer back and/or get a new one soon enough), but subsequently I had a much better handle on motivating myself. But then I stopped working on long projects (until I get around to doing it again).
ReplyDeleteI am such a snail writer I could never participate in NaNo. But it sounds like you thrive during November. Finding time to write is most writers biggest problem. Wishing you a great Holiday and stay healthy.
ReplyDeleteNaNoWriMo sessions are always my most productive months, too. I never manage to finish a first draft during them, but they help me get a nice chunk of it done.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any months in particular that are better than others. Like a burst of creativity for a few months, then a while of not getting much done. It's at pretty irregular intervals, too. It's why I don't think I'd ever be able to do NaNo!
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