December 29, 2008

Writing Tip 8: Plan says Roberta Isleib

Back to the Writing Tips today. Hope everyone had a nice holiday!

Writing is something that you have to plan. It doesn't always come naturally. It seems that if you don't make yourself sit and write, you'll find that there is always a reason NOT to do it. Procrastination is not a writer's friend.

Roberta Isleib, author of ASKING FOR MURDER, (Berkley) the latest in her new advice columnist series, has some simple, direct advice for writers.

Writing Tip 8: Set up a regular schedule and stick to it--do not wait for the muse to strike!

** More advice on novel writing

** Other basic writing tips, the things that are often overlooked

** Your Turn: What's your writing schedule?


-- In ASKING FOR MURDER, Rebecca's good friend, a social worker who does sand play therapy, is found beaten and left for dead. Rebecca searches for clues in her patients' sand trays to track a would-be killer.

She can only hope the clues are buried within easy reach.

3 comments:

Camille Minichino said...

I've noticed that as soon as I sit at my desk and focus on my writing, the muse arrives! When I have a deadline, she sometimes shows up and pushes me into my office.

CA Verstraete said...

Yes, they can be pushy sometimes, a good thing!

Anonymous said...

I have a little routine that gets my brain into gear, since I don't seem able to simply sit down at the computer and dig right in to working on the latest book. I have to check my e-mails, maybe answer one or two quick ones, browse the discussion lists I'm on, then play exactly two games of solitaire - no more, no less. Some might call that procrastination (and they might be right!). I call it revving up.