I know it sounds idyllic right?

To go to some pristine wilderness, rent a cabin, lock yourself away from all distractions and just write write write?

I remember when my son was just a baby and I took him to the doctors. When she found out I was a writer she said, “Oh I’ve always wanted to write. I’d lock myself away for two weeks and just do it!”

But the funny thing is, writing isn’t exactly like that. It’s almost like a muscle. If you don’t use it, you lose it.

And working yourself up to writing even eight hours a day is not as easy as it looks!

How do you concentrate so totally for that length of time? It really is exhausting!

During the school year, when I’m doing presentations and interacting with kids (my audience) I actually get little time to write.

Presenting itself can be so exhausting, what with the commute and then the engagement itself, phew! After a day of presentations I’d come home wiped.

I could do physical things, like make supper, clean, etc. but anything mental–forget it.

Now that summer is in full swing, I’ve gotten into the rhythm of writing–which is also why the blog will probably suffer. (When I’m writing well, the blog just doesn’t go well. There’s only so much creative energy I have…)

Basically until September, I’ll be writing, writing, taking care of the house, and exercising.

It’s a chance for me to get back in shape, no excuses, and exercising is a great counterpoint to spending three to four hours at a desk writing.

Some authors develop an almost superstitious type of writing routine, where they have to have the right ambience in order to create.

Nope.

I try to stay away from that idea.

Write anywhere, anyhow.

I’ll be waiting for a flight and composing in my head because I find most writing happens away from they keyboard.

The next scene, I’ll have a visual of what I want to happen, and I have to figure out how I will set it up, how it will propel the story forward, how it will explore the themes etc.

By the time I actually sit down to write, I’m basically transcribing what I’ve already worked out.

And if I can’t do it in the face of all the distractions of normal human existence (especially when the news is proving to be far more outlandish than any fiction!!!) then my life as an author will be limited.

Plus, I’m at the age where leaving home and spending time in a hotel far away doesn’t appeal to me.

I miss my bed. I miss my comfort. And it’s not a good way to spend money.

But I do plan on completing two projects over the summer insha Allah.

A first draft of one and a revision of another.

Hopefully by Labor day I will have a completed manuscript to send out which is actually a good time to aim for because the publishing industry is kind of seasonal. They take the summer off.

So here’s to the muse! Striking everyday from 9 am to 3 pm with breaks for lunch and coffee.

Not a bad schedule insha Allah!