Since the chaos of my day job has settled down tremendously, I’ve been able to spend every day with my novel project.
And guess what?
The daily exposure has reaped major benefits.
Notice that I didn’t say “daily writing” — but daily exposure. This could mean looking over your chapters. It could mean creating character arcs or plot outlines. It could even mean just *thinking* about the novel. The key is giving your novel some undivided attention on a daily basis. I believe this type of exposure helps your subconscious brain work out things while your conscious brain is getting you through every day life.
When I only spent time with my novel on a sporadic basis, it was very hard to get back into its world. And I believe this is one of the reasons I had trouble with progress earlier this year (and of course working 12-14 hours at the day job didn’t help much either).
Now that I’m focused on daily exposure to the novel, I actually *crave* being in its world and figuring out this current revision phase.
And even though I know life will find a way to put a monkey wrench in the program, I’m going to try really hard to keep up with this daily exposure until this novel is done.
Constant Craving
July 19, 2010 Read Comments
Karen, I love your distinction between exposure and writing. Some days I end up filling my writing time with jotting notes about my characters and what they should do next. It’s important to acknowledge all that stuff that doesn’t appear to be writing as part of the writing process.
I love when my brain works things out for me while I’m busy!
“Daily exposure” is the perfect term for it! Even if you don’t write anything new, you know you’re still moving forward with your writing. Good luck with it!
Amen :)
Andrea: I used to get so caught up in the daily writing that I would feel like a loser if I didn’t get any done. But now I realize that giving your novel project some attention — whatever that may be — can get your mind working and then spur the writing. You to remember that the novel project is a journey of uncovering what your story is about.
Laura: I really think our subconscious brain has our back. Especially when we give it something to ponder.
Anna: Exactly! To move forward you do have to write something but even on the days you don’t — it’s about the focused attention — plot, characters, etc. That focus does have benefits.
Tiana: And I’ll add a hallelujah to that too! :)
Love this post. It’s great advice. I’m going to keep it in mind, even on summer days when the kids are home and there’s no chunk of writing time. Thanks!
Hey Shari, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
It is hard during the summer months with so much going on, but yes, any type of focused exposure will add up in the end.
I love your idea of daily exposure as opposed to just daily writing. I think I might try this! There are times when I just can’t write and I think this might keep me in the right frame of mind for the novel. Thank you!
Heather: This has really worked wonders for me. Plus, I don’t get caught up in the “quota” of words. I still want to make progress and ironically, when I don’t have that pressure, I usually end up doing more writing.
I know that feeling! Even if I have to get up at 4 am, it’s important enough for me to visit writing daily or near daily. Exposure at least 6 hours/week is almost essential to actually finishing a project.
Thanks for sharing and it’s great to find your blog! :o)
I like the idea of calling it “daily exposure” I think about my novel and how I will create twists and turns but that is all it has been lately. It’s time to get back at it.
Jackee: Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I’ll have to check out your blog. :)
Yes, consistency is the key. Those hours add up over the weeks and you can get really immersed in your novel’s world.
Kristi: Sometimes when you just approach your work and focus on it — no matter what that is — the fact that you were exposed to it really can make a difference. At times in life, sometimes “exposure” is all you can do. The actual writing may occur later.
I love the term “daily exposure”. Perfect. ;)
I’m new here. *waves* Nice to meet you. (I came here from Jemi’s blog.)
Love,
Lola
Hey Lola! *waves* back. Thanks for stopping and by and leaving a comment. If you know Jemi then you must be good people. :)
LOVE your profile on your blog. You are hilarious! Plus the fact you have tons of books makes me think you could be a kindred spirit.
Daily exposure is going to be the way to for me until this novel is done.
Oh, great reminder! I’m in a high stress stretch right now with visiting family, crazy work schedule, and other time consuming things going on and as usual writing gets put on the back burner. But somehow I always find time to pick up a book before bed to read for 20 min. or so. You just reminded me that I can pick up my OWN book (WIP) instead and get some daily exposure that will help me keeping thinking about it! Thanks!
Exactly Margo!
By exposing yourself to your work on a daily basis, I really do believe your subconscious brain works on new ideas and/or ways to tackle your WIP.
This is what happened to me last night. I didn’t write but I did revise a chapter and this morning, I had a new approach to a revision problem I was having.
The subconscious mind rocks!