Here are the 1/2/2007 poll results: (Results add up to more than 100% as writing habits vary according to schedule and genre.)
1] How often do you write?
a] everyday 63%
b] as often as I can 24%
c] when the muse strikes 10%
d] only when I have free time 2%
2] What time of day or night do you write?
a] first thing in the morning 21%
b] before work 1%
c] throughout the day 58%
d] after work 6%
e] late at night 10%
3] How long do you write each day?
a] 30 minutes 13%
b] an hour 5%
c] 2-3 hours 41%
d] 4-6 hours 20%
e] 6 hours + 20%
Comments???
Now that my youngest is four, I recently changed my writing habits.
I used to write every day in the afternoon, during nap time. Now that
he's old enough to entertain himself, I write throughout the day, in
between laundry, etc. But the interesting thing is, I put in about 3
times as many hours, but only get about 1.5-2 times as much done. I
think that before, because I knew I had only a short window of
opportunity, I sort of saved up all day and let it burst out in that
hour or two. Now I begin to wonder if there is a limit to the
creative writing that can be done in any 24 hour period.
Mette Ivie Harrison
I find that writing at night brings out my creativity. Maybe it's because my 21 month old daughter is sleeping. :-) I tend to check my emails through out the day and answer them when my daughter is involved playing or watching Blues Clues. I also tend to do my proof reading during nap time. At night I sit down about 8pm and write to at least 12am. After that I have my critiques to do for my group and I usually take about one to two hours on that. So by 2am I'm done and then my day starts all over again with Ashley gets up at
5am or 6am.Virginia
I set aside afternoons for writing time, usually around 2 o'clock. Heather
In an ideal world I'd make time to write everyday, but the world is not ideal and I'm rather driven by my muse, so when she's ready to go, I go. On a bad day, I work for an hour and try to make 1000 words, but in full steam, I've been known to work all day and do up to 10,000 words. Personally, I'd like to be more disciplined about how I write but life (it all its various forms) does seem to get in the way. That said, I don't buy the "you must write everyday" model. Writing is a creative process and sometimes one can go flat out and sometimes one needs time out for stories "to compost" in the subconscious.
I should also add, I do write everyday - written words are my chosen and predominant medium for communication - but that writing is not always on my manuscripts! Nicky
I notice the extra fee I get for writing is scarcely anymore than I
usually get for illustrating a book. No wonder publishers love having the Author & Illustrator
combined into one affordable package!
By the way, I was an English major in college... not that that makes
any difference as indeed it has not! John Nez
For the past three years I've been working for myself. I may have
several days or weeks in a row when I can write every day. Then I
may have several days or weeks when I can't write at all during the day.
I have found that 30 minutes here and there is not enough time for
me. I need several unbroken hours when I'm writing a story. I
admire people who can use their small pieces of available time.
Mary Dolan
I have a gorgeous poster of a dozing koala bear with the
caption "tomorrow I must quit procrastinating"....Does that tell
all? Maybe I'm secretly afraid that "it" (the story) isn't going to
work out, so it's easier to procrastinate & do other things???? The
early morning hours would be the best ( I get up around 5 am - a
relic of the time with 4 young children at home, who didn't stir
until 7a.m. - so that was "my time". So now, even though the kids
are grown & away, it's still my special art studio time. So writing
time goes in wherever there's a space - but I'd like to change that &
be more organized! Kai-Liis McInnes.
My writing is tied to my illustrating I'm always
drawing something. Even now I'm doodling on scrap paper thinking of a story
to go with my doodles. Deborah Allen
I write best when I am away from home,
(Knoxville Yaddo is a cabin a friend nicknamed for me)
though this happens so RARELY, but when I am away, I
can write for long, uninterrupted periods...and though
I hate to be without email, I am always grateful when
I am, because I get lost in the fiction, and there are
no temptations to check Amazon rankings (pathetic, I
know) or google this or that...Anyway, I am best when
in the morning at writing, but I used to love writing
at night and expect one day I may return to it when
the children don't get up at the crack of dawn. Two
teenagers cooperate very nicely, but the youngest is
always up early ready to go! Kerry Madden
Writing is wonderful, it fulfills dual purposes for me;
as a catharasis and it brings income in as well! Shelley Bueche
As a full-time writer, "writing," for me, involves more than just creating books or articles. It also involves my whole life as a writer including responding to correspondence from fans, requests for donations, requests for school visits and taking part in writing groups. It includes research and reading and dreaming and living life, too. Some weeks, business writing surpasses creative writing (and it makes me a little cranky). But I don't think it's healthy to separate our lives into writing/not writing compartments as it gives the false impression that if one isn't composing new, creative works on paper that one's time is being wasted. It's all writing. And it's all essential to the job of "writer." Alexis O'Neill
After many years I've developed a very relaxed way to my work. That
is not to say I am slow, just that I tend to get compulsive about a project unless I plan a
schedule to my writing. I have learned to allow myself to work with my writing habits. I am also a freelance writer writing for magazines and newspapers. I tend to be most creative in the mornings, so that's when I do my creative writing. I am up between 5:30 and 6 am, answer my emails over a cup of tea and toast. I have then warmed up my brain, and write for 2-3 hours. I eat a brunch and then concentrate on my photography, speeches, research, marketing, and article
writing for another 4-5 hours. After all of this I go to work at my "other" job getting home around 2:15 am. I do take a short nap mid afternoon most days.
I also have certain days set aside for larger projects or a specific
major deadline. Thursdays are my mail days. I do all correspondence, except for that needing
immediate attention, on Thursdays. I pull out my mail station and send out all queries, proposals, and manuscripts. I only have to go to post office once this way and while I am there I pick up mail from my P.O. Box.
This schedule has made me a better, more productive writer, but then again what works for me
may not work for other writers, do what is best for you. Dara.
As frustrating as it was to receive rejections this year, I couldn't
stop writing for children. It's how I respond to the world around me. Amy
Over the years I've realized many things about the way I
work and I've learned to make the best of my own writing habits. For example,
I know my creativity is highest in the mornings, so that's when I do my
creative writing. Afternoons I enjoy research, marketing, and article writing.
I also know that I can't seem to fully focus on a large project until I have
smaller projects out of the way. Realizing how I work best has made
me a better, more productive writer. What works for other writers may not
be what works best for me. Suzanne Lieurance
I am retired from teaching and am obsessive/compulsive about
reading and writing. Except between Thanksgiving and Christmas - I give myself
permission to let go of it. Can hardly wait to have my time to myself.
JoAn Martin
I am more self-disciplined when there's a deadline to be met,
and much more self-disciplined than I was in 2003. I'm including illustration in these answers since I am a writer-illustrator.
Ruth McNally Barshaw
When I'm rough drafting, I tend to write less. I have only so much to give to fresh material. But once the story is down, I can stay there for longer stretches. I used to write exclusively at night, but I've since hired more help--a maid service, a web master, and on my last book, a publicist. This gives me more time to write.
Cynthia Leitich Smith
All three questions are answered by "when the muse strikes." There are days I write for 12 hours and days I don't write; the numbers of Actual Time With Keyboard vary.
Of course, if we explain "writing" as the sweet simmering process that happens when we meditate or exercise or hike or stroll city streets--which is how I define "writing"--I would answer that I am never not-writing. Ms Muse might not require me to type a set number of hours, but she does require that I am always pondering and seeking. Writing, imho, is not an action but a mindset. I spent many years without fingers-on-keys, but they were as essential as the moments at the desk are now. Melissa Marr
Though I've had books traditionally published, with hopefully more to come, I consider myself a 'writer' more than an 'author'. My writing often consists of updating my website or creating new ones, entering competitions to win products by writing verses, writing newsletters, blog posts, scripts for videos I put on YouTube, emails to writing and illustrating buddies, queries and submission letters, research notes and more, as well as the actual writing of texts which will become ebooks or are to be offered to publishers. All are count equally to me, and all are equally enjoyable. Planning, reading, research and thinking time are also very important parts of my 'writing day/week'.
Tidying up should be part of the day's routine too ...but it doesn't happen nearly as often as it should.
Peter Taylor
My writing "habits" were never good. Thanks to NaNoWriMo I've
learned that I am a "binge" writer. I write a novel in November-
at least 50,000 words (have done this twice now). Then spend
time editing it in January through May. Then spend time
researching agents and writing query letters and sending out
mss. Then gear up and go again in November.
I love this year-long schedule.
Individual sessions vary in time. Anything from 15 minutes to
six or more hours.
I also write a book review column nearly every month (except
when I'm not getting paid and withhold the columns). That's
just one night's work, a few hours.
So during November, I'm writing at least a few hours a day.
During December, I'm decompressing and writing very little.
Then I spend time editing, which is writing time--lots of fine-
tuning, rewriting, deleting and inserting text, stumbling on
new avenues and exploring them, etc. Writing at intervals in
varying amounts of time.
I'll also be trying script frenzy in June 2007. Something new.
Jane Mack
I'm an illustrator and writer, so I find myself not splitting my time
50/50, but being pulled like taffy between two muses who each demand
100% of my time. It's been a strange and unexpected development. The
writing came at a later age than the drawing, so I feel like it's my
second child, but oh, what a demanding child it's become! Elizabeth O. Dulemba
When I'm in the middle of a piece I might write much more than
when I am in between pieces. Also, I am counting email writing too.
Although it may not be as creative as other genres of writing,
email requires constant thinking and brief writing style.
Barbara Ehrentreu
In the last couple of years I've lost my ability to write well late at
night or early morning. Fatigue seems to be a real problem for me, so
I've had to learn to carve out writing time during the day. It's been a
challenge but I'm finally in a regular writing routine that works. I'd
still like more time, but I've learned to take even the smallest chunks
of time to write because they add up over time, (I have the same theory
on exercise --better to treadmill for 15 minutes than not at all!)
Cassandra Whetstone
I am a full-time writer and single mom. I can't imagine writing less than six hours. Kelly Milner Halls
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