Writing Routines and Processes

[aeriedraconia.livejournal.com]

Because every writer is different and has a different process I thought it would be interesting to see how everyone else works. Please note that there is no right or wrong way it is about whatever works best for you at the moment.

Do you have a writing routine?

How do you get yourself started?
Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Does this help keep your writing sessions more regular?
Do you write everyday?
How long are your typical writing sessions?
Do you have a specific goal like a time limit, a page or word count when you sit down to write?
Do you write in order or can you bounce around in the story?
Do you stick with one project or do you have several projects going at once?
Does your writing routine or process change from project to project? 

Comments

[jinkang.livejournal.com]

I haven't broken into pro world yet so I'm not sure how helpful my answers might be, but here they are:

Do you have a writing routine?
I am trying to establish one and so far it's been working. I try to write during commute and during lunch hour. That's total of 1.5 hours per workday.

How do you get yourself started?
Because my 1.5 hours are broken up into three short intervals, I actually need to get started earlier. So while I am walking to the subway/streetcar or to the cafe, I try to think up what I have to write. This way, in my mind, I am more or less focusing on what part I have to add in.

Do you have a favorite time of day to write?
I think evening works alright but I don't have that slot free, so I have been writing during lunch hour. Sometimes though, I find 20 minutes on the streetcar on the way back home can produce a lot more (word count wise) than 1 hour during lunch.

May be something to do with empty stomach?

Does this help keep your writing sessions more regular?
It has been somewhat regular, though as I said, it's not an established routine, as of yet.

Do you write everyday?
Every work/week day. And if I am lucky, on weekends. But I shouldn't push my luck.

I do, however, write any inspiration or brainstorm activity whenever it happens, which is usually just before I go to sleep.

How long are your typical writing sessions?
Less than 30 minutes, usually. Except for lunch hour, which is 1 hour.

On weekends, when I can, an hour or two.

Do you have a specific goal like a time limit, a page or word count when you sit down to write?
My goal is to write 500 words per weekday. It's a small and very realistic goal. If I go over, great. The story is progressing.

Even if I do not meet the goal, I try not to make up the lost productivity; it only adds to stress, I find.

Do you write in order or can you bounce around in the story?

I am mostly a linear writer. I haven't quite mastered the bouncing part.

Do you stick with one project or do you have several projects going at once?

I have one project. I mean, I do have other projects and ideas but I write them down so I don't forget, and that's about the extend I might spend time on them.

I try to finish one story I am working on first, and file the other ideas for later. It also helps to simmer the concept.

Does your writing routine or process change from project to project?
I try not to change the routine, but obviously it depends on the story. If world-building isn't complete, sometimes I stop and do some more thinking, because such things can drastically change the way stories go. Those days, word count stays the same.