Writerling Writes

I read one of my favorite poems, e. e. cummings’ “i carry your heart”, during the ceremony

So, 3,000 words in one weekend is not that ambitious for me when I am at home, adhering to my usual routine.

Turns out, it was impossible to get even a word out during my blitzed trip to Philadelphia. I had the time, including twelve hours of plane flights and one late morning. But I couldn’t commit. On the plane, I fretted, like I usually do during long flights. I gave up and watched several movies (including “Her” which I really enjoyed, mostly because the dialogue was excellent). At the bed and breakfast estate, I snuggled into the oversized quilt, opened up my laptop, and could not find my character’s voice. I roughed out some details for the next scene, but I did not actually move the prose forward.

This is quite like my experience with past trips. I had the intention to write, but could not convert it to action. Luckily, I get to try all over again in a week when I head to D.C. for another wedding. I have some ideas on how to improve the outcome. First, I will not think of the long flights as time to write. I am already stressed enough about being on the plane; adding more pressure will likely lead to failure (especially given that I have not written anything worth keeping on an airplane in years – so why keep trying?). Second, I will actually block out times that – barring anything extraordinary – I will have time to write.

Last, I will not set a word count goal. At home, I need a word count goal to keep my progress steady. Having a time goal means my word count per day plummets. However, I find it significantly less stressful to have a time goal. Thus, while traveling I will spend an hour or two or three with my laptop and just see where that time takes me. Even if my daily word count average suffers, any amount of words would be more  than I achieved in Philly.

Here’s to another fun wedding and (hopefully) more writing success in D.C.!

Despite my best attempts to cling to my little doggies, I travel. A lot. For weddings, for workshops, for conventions, to see family. This weekend my husband and I are blitzing a trip to see our friends get married outside of Philly. The flight out will be the sixth flight I’ve taken in 2014.

This is decidedly not Philadelphia. Le sigh.

I don’t often write while I’m away from home. When I’m officially on vacation, that’s fine. We all need a break. But when I’m attending weddings or conventions, I always bring my laptop along with the intention to write. I’ve assumed that just having access to a computer will encourage me to set fingers to keyboard. Turns out, that never happens.

So for this trip I’m trying something new. I have a word count goal of 3,000 words, which is well below my usual goals for three days of writing. Got to start small, right? And I am very eager to finish this draft of Iron.

What about you? How do you motivate yourself to do work while traveling?

So back when I was talking about my goals for 2012, it became pretty clear that my life revolves around a few key things, which is good. I like simplicity. While I do intend to talk about my travel adventures, and any developments with my family, for the beginning part of this year I’ve set benchmarks for myself for both writing and fitness.

These may seem like two unrelated categories but more and more I find them intertwined. It’s more than just plotting my novel while I’m busting out miles on the tread mill. It’s a mentality that I’ve picked up from fitness which has made me a better, and more consistent, writer.

Running, especially, has moved me away from, “Can I do this? I don’t want to do it. I’m not sure I can,” to “I absolutely can do this, even if my body or my brain doesn’t want to right now, I am capable.”

This is a huge shift – a confidence in myself I’ve never had. So while writing a new novel and running a 5k before June may not seem like they’re related, to me they are both equally important goals that depend on one another. So how’s my progress? As of today, here is where I stand:

• Running 1.5 miles consistently at race pace. Goal is get 1-2 minutes faster, and add a bit of distance each week.
• Plotted the new novel and have written 5,000 words of (hopefully) the first chapter.

I’m pretty happy with my starting points for both. Oh, and here is a photo of me on the treadmill, getting ready for my run!

Do you have any unrelated goals? How are they connected?