Finding The Time to Write

By Maureen Bonatch

I love to write. I’m a better person when I make the time for fiction writing—I must differentiate this from freelance writing, or academic writing or other writing tasks that don’t tap into the well of creativity I associate with writing fiction.

Over the years I’ve had many people come up to me and ask about my writing and then share how they, too, planned to write a book if they could ever find the time. I always tell them, you have to make the time. There is no well of time just waiting for you to fill it with a story. 

We all get the same 24-hours a day that is quickly filled with tasks, obligations or any variety of things that suck the time out of your day more effectively than a vampire.

National Novel Writing Month

I always tell these wanna-be fiction writers about NaNoWrimonth in November. National Novel Writing month is my favorite. When November rolls around it gives me an extra reason to make time for fiction writing. 

The enthusiasm of everyone participating in NaNoWri makes me feel like my fiction writing is a priority, despite all the other things vying for my time.

No Time to Write

This year was the first time in the past 10 years that I hesitated when I went to sign up for NaNoWri. This year has been a whirlwind and my fiction writing has definitely suffered. I’ve had very little time to devote to writing. 

I asked my daughter (who has done NaNoWri with me the past several years- and won) if she planned on doing NaNoWri. I almost expected her to say she didn’t have time. 

It would’ve made me a little sad, since she’s such a good writer, but her excuse would’ve been legit. In her first semester of college with a heavy class load, I thought she might hesitate. But she didn’t. So neither will I. 

Books don’t write themselves.

There’s Something About NaNoWri

I love to talk about NaNoWri month. Here are a few past posts about NaNoWri. There are many more…but I have to get back to writing my NaNoWri novel.

• Making a DIY standingtreadmill desk

• Secrets to winning NaNoWri for pansters (raises hand) and procrastinators

• For your loved ones who must deal with their NaNoWriobsessed

• How NaNoWri is a little like being a alien

• The month after NaNoWri Poem

Who’s Doing NaNoWri this year?  

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter

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Five Wonderful Insights You Need to Know About Writers

The moment I sat my butt in the chair and my fingers to the keyboard, intent on writing a novel—I knew I had a lot to learn.

Okay, honestly, I had no idea what was involved in writing a novel. You just sit down and write, right? Preferably in long stretches in a secluded cabin. 

Well, over the last ten years I’ve learned a lot about writing, but the most surprising thing I discovered was about the elusive introverts tapping away on the keyboards—the writers. (The uninterrupted time and secluded cabin continue to elude me.)

1.    Writers might horde sticky notes, pens, and chocolate (or is that just me?) but there’s no hoarding of information

·      If I ask a question on a writer’s loop- multiple answers & suggestions appear like magic

·      I’ve gained critique partners, beta readers, new ideas, email addresses-I can’t even list how much I’ve benefited from making writer friends.

2.     Writers make sacrifices for their love of the written word. Things like sleeping, a social life and occasionally…their sanity.

·      Turns out, I’m not completely insane for getting up at the crack of dawn to write- so do a ton of other writers.

·      Writers are the only people who don’t raise a brow when I confess to not watching most of the popular television shows (or much TV at all without my laptop)

3.     Writers embrace the odd and unusual- I’ve found my peeps! I’m not alone!

·      A secret obsession of office products is expected. Yes!

·      They utilize a clandestine language in their writerly discussions — WIP, PR, dayjob, TBR, RWA, TSTL…

4.     Writers can become fast friends even if they’ve never met or spoke in person

·      Some of my writer friends know me better than the people I see everyday

·      Could be because the people I see everyday get a little nervous when I share too much of what’s going on in my mind when a story is percolating.

5.     Writer’s boost each other up – sure there might be a little of the green eyed monster now and then, but for the most part there are never too many stories.

·      I’ve never heard anyone say, “I just can’t read another book. Or I have no room for another author in my TBR pile.”

Writers- what insights would you like to add?

 Non-writers (i.e.: normal folk)- How do you envision your favorite authors?  (I was pretty sure 'my authors' lived in that cabin...still waiting on the invite...)

How NaNoWriMo is like being an alien…

Courtesy of National Novel Writing Month

From:  Maureen L. Bonatch

If you’re not a writer, perhaps you’re not familiar with the term NaNoWriMo.  The first time I heard it several years ago what immediately came to mind was the old television show that got Robin Williams started down the road to stardom (Mork and Mindy)--- the nanu-nanu handshake.  (Now you’re either nodding as you take a stroll down memory lane or wondering if that is really coffee in that cup beside me.)  

I loved the show, until they introduced the full-grown adult baby, Mearth, which hatched from an egg.  Then it just got weird.  Not that it wasn’t weird from the start, or that I stopped watching it. I stuck with it until the end, like a book, or committing to NaNoWri, because I hate to give up on something (and I apparently love to say NaNoWri). But…I digress, I’m a writer so I’m allowed to do that.

In fact digressing is kind of what NaNoWriMo is all about…oh, and writing.  50,000 words for the month of November to be exact; National Novel Writing Month. 

Although participating is somewhat like being Mork from the old television show, blindly leaving on a quest to explore new places/worlds, moving at the speed of light to reach your destination.  NaNoWri is a seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing.  

Some of my 'storyboards'

As a gal who has hates outlines (and favors pants), that’s what I’m talking about!  The closest I’ve come to real outlining a story is using my own kind of storyboard, but that pretty much stems from my love of all office products and gives me an excuse to go moon over more at the store. 

Cinnamon getting ready to start her story

No stopping, no editing just writing! No qualifications to begin...anyone can 

do it! 

Okay…you might at least need opposable thumbs. (But don't tell Cinnamon that)

Last year there were 341,375 participants! Me, being one of them, granted I didn’t finish that year, but this year… 

Laken and Yasmine 

“I’m going to win this year.”  I tell my twelve-year-old twins.

“What do you win?”  They ask.

“The best feeling of meeting a goal and a new novel completed!”

                      Twin. Blank. Stares. 

(Okay the pic doesn't quite do justice to the 'blank stare' that a tween can assault you with, but it's very elusive if you try to capture it, like my attention span.) 

Apparently my reward didn’t compare to the cash and prizes they envision when thinking of ‘winning’ a contest.  But there’s so much more there that I can’t adequate describe---except that it’s filled with tons of like-minded people, enthusiasm and the love of a good story. But don’t take it from me, check out  NaNoWri

So if you’ve made it this far in my post, you’re kind of getting the gist of writing without heavy editing—like you can do for NaNoWri.  Because it’s fun to let your mind wander and see where it takes you. …Look! Something shiny…

“Many people hear voices when no-one is there.  Some of them are called mad and are shut up in rooms where they stare at the walls all day.  Others are called writers and they pretty much do the same thing.” 

~ Margaret Chittenden

Join me in the madness at NaNoWri:  mmmmmm6

(Don't worry, it's only a few days in and you can be fashionably late..just write faster ;)

For a peek into my writing voice and some humorous stories about being a mom to twins check out: My blog   

So you want to write a novel...