Making the time to write for the busy author...find your happy place.

I am a full-time working Registered Nurse and I have been at it for 33 years coming up this summer of 2022. For much of the early years, I worked full time while being in school for my BSN and later my Masters. Later my busy became a husband and two girls along with the full-time nursing jobs. So when I had the bright idea of writing, something I had dreamed of since childhood, I thought the timing was good because my girls had gotten self-sufficient on a lot of things. Well, not so much to free me to be at my writing for any length of time. That was in 2012 and my girls were 5 and 8...well I thought it was progress they could manage their own bath and loved cereal some nights for supper.  

What I found was a story in my head but a list of chores that had to come first each day. I remember telling my physician who said I needed to add even more exercise than walking a couple of times a week, he should try living my life:

 

Back then it was up at 5:30am, get myself and two kids dressed and breakfast and dropped at two different schools and still make it to work by 8am. Work 8 to 5 as a nurse educator, race to pick up the kids and then get done with chores. Homework, supper, dishes, pets, laundry, cleaning, and somewhere after the kids were in bed around 9...gee I have time for myself and it's already dark and I should find time to walk...oh, but my husband has to have some attention too.....BUT I WANT TO WRITE!!!!

So over time, what I found that many have not understood, is if I want to write, then I am going to have to define what time is mine and make sure my family knows...I am writing now. This took time as it mean my husband had to do more and even help with homework. It meant I pushed my girls to do the things they could do earlier. I was not the definition of a good mother by those that saw my writing as being a neglectful wife and mother. Why does the mom have to do it all...I am Generation-X...I am different and my dreams are important too--which is how I explained things. But I had to find a way to make things work for our family. So I worked harder when I got home each evening and had a routine of dinner, dishes, pets, kids, baths, homework, and I pushed to make sure we stuck to bedtime rules or I got no time to write. And the weekends, I negotiated childcare with my husband for so many hours I could write. I have carried my laptop to dance, soccer, play practice, chorus events, and I learned to snag the 30-minute lunches I get at work for a paragraph or two--on my galaxy note when I could. I took the girls skating and to the park for time to write. I also wrote at Chuckie Cheese--with earphones but it worked and everyone was happy. 

I did give up the clean house, but I was never a clean and neat freak anyway. The dishes in the sink do not bother me if I have time to write. The dishes and clothes can wait. I learned on weekends, to sit at the kitchen table writing while I washed and dried 4 loads of clothes or more. But I adored it when I had vacation time. Now, let me define that. Whenever in my life I have gone on vacation, I went with a stack of books to read...that was my joy. So even now, if I am on vacation at the beach, I have a laptop. I have written some of all of my books at the beach, sitting under an umbrella with a cool drink, a hat, and sunglasses readers. That is how I roll. It's not working, it's my fun thing.  

So now, eight books later and published, my family is all proud, but I still have to carve out the time I need to write or there will be none. I have had writer friends who say they have no time to write...again you have to make time. No one is gonna say to you, "Hey why don't you go write for six hours." Others have said well I cannot neglect my family. I have not neglected my girls, but I have shown them to make a dream come true you have to go for it. It's a trade-off for what you want most and I promise no one is gonna hand it to you if you crave writing time. Honestly, I gave up TV. I usually write with the noise of the TV on, but I tune it out. I have nothing much I watch on a regular basis. I know people who sit and watch 5 hours of TV or more a night...what do you want most? People have said a lot, how do you find the time to write? My answer has always been, you find the time for the things you love and want. You are in charge of your dreams....and life can be short. Make the most of it, so here are some hints you might find useful. Some things will be useful for working authors and authors who write full time and authors with families. Regardless your situation you have to schedule to time to write and it all equals----BUTT IN CHAIR~ 

Write early mornings, just an hour prior to your family waking for the day.

Get up earlier on the weekends for a couple of quiet hours to write. 

Kill the chores fast to make time to write each day. 

Use 1 or 2 days to clean and organize so the next day or two there is writing time.

Write no matter where you are, laptop, phone etc. 

Negotiation childcare splitting time with husband--it's not solely yours to do. 

Negotiate with kids. Buy a movie and you get to write while they watch. Order Pizza.

Escape to the library or coffee house for an hour after work or weekend days. 

Plan a writer's weekend at a hotel with friends. I have found these very productive. 

Go to a writer's conference, go a day early to write and write on breaks and nights. 

Send the family to the park or movies-or go and take your chair and laptop. 

Set up a table outside while your kids ride bikes or play outside and write. 

Plan for errands during the week so you are home on weekends to write if you work. 

Set a timer and let the family know the time you have to write and not to bother you. 

Plan and organize what you need for your writing ahead of the time you have to sit down to write. 

Mapping out a schedule of what happens when is best. Some write better mornings and others nights.

Some cannot write unless inspired--butt in chair works here--it will come--do the hour in the chair.

Write on work breaks. 

Write on the bus, subway, taxi, etc.

Carry a notebook to jot down inspiration so you don't lose ideas. 

Use a voice memo gadget if you don't want to write things.

Don't compare to others, just write for yourself.

Treat writing like your second job and demand your family takes you seriously. 

When you do write, turn off your phone and put it in another room.

Isolate yourself in an office or writing space.

Use headphones for music or quiet. 

Even 20 minutes every day might equal a scene--just don't keep correcting what is written--write ahead.

Prioritize writing time. Plan it. Follow through. 

Learn to say NO if it means writing time. 

Also, keep balance-diet and exercise and sleep--so you can write. 

Let go of clutter things you do not enjoy in life. It is OK to say NO. It's OK to want your time. 

Send the husband with a grocery list--My husband had ADD and hates to sit home for hours. 

GIve the kids chores--it won't hurt them and it will carve you a bit of time. 

Treat your writing like a job and make sure your family knows it is. 

Track your writing to make sure you are meeting the hours you should be Butt in Chair. 

Set writing goals, word count, chapters a week, or scenes a day

Have a support group of writers who understand. Share ideas. 

Hey, even pee before you place your butt in chair and turn on a timer. 

Know what you will be working on for that session. 

Do not go back to edit, it is easier to edit a completed story! I never look back. Fix errors later.

Make your writing space a happy one! Blue is the color of creativity. 

Relax exercises prior to sitting butt in chair. 

Use your writing time for the story--promo on another day and time.

Define your writing priorities by scheduling them. 

Plan scenes in your head or with notes until you can get to your writing time. 

Set realistic goals, even a scene a week completes a novel. 

How to add Backstory without info dumping...

 

Every story has to have a history but how should it be shown without dumping it all in chapter one? That can be rather difficult when as the author you are sure that something should be revealed to the reader. Since backstory influences an entire story, how is it best done? If writers can make too much backstory is added early or in one giant dump, then the story can take a turn back in time--not where you want it to go. Info dumping can also slow the progress of the story and at times bore readers. Starting a story with a lot of history may even make the reader set the book down. 

One of the first mistakes writers make is the big info dump but also adding too much too soon. It isn't necessary to fill in everything about the past right away. A reader can learn a little backstory all the way through a novel. The author needs to know and understand the backstory but it isn't wise to put it in there all at once. 

Only insert the backstory where it is relevant. Drop in a line or two as a character remembers something. Maybe a smell triggers a quick memory. Or maybe a character sees something that reminds him of something that happened in the past. 

Readers should only be told information as they need to know it, not all at once. Again this will slow the pacing of your story. 

And it's a good idea to explain any info that is given to readers. The reader needs to understand why something has been given to them in backstory information. Maybe add a line or two, even in dialogue of why the memory of thought is important to the character's internal and external conflict. Readers like to be able to figure things out and the hints you do give are appreciated. 

Types of info-dumping:

    Backstory-Info on what happened before the present story

    World-building-Where the story might have been located now or in the past. Readers should not need         a history lesson to engage in a story. 

    Technical-Explanation of how something works

    Character Motivation-A character explaining themselves takes readers out of the story

Some thoughts on what to ask about the backstory you are adding. 

     Does the reader need to know this now?

     If the info is not given, will this damage the story?

     What is the best way to deliver the information? Hints or imagination or memory etc. 

Readers need to know enough about the story to understand what is currently happening. Adding past information can cause a reader to care about a character or what drives them. Show only what is happening in the scene with a quick glance back when you are ready to give past information. Remember, less is more. Sometimes it is even best not to tell it all to leave a reader guessing and reading for more. Keep your character in focus on the here and now as you give hints in thought or dialogue. 

Backstory can be how your characters understand the world around them, but as you give that information, readers need to understand the why. Think about what is at stake if you tell too much or not enough and find the happy middle of what the reader needs to know. Have your characters use their past to understand where they are in the story. Think about Goal, Motivation, and Conflict in what and why backstory information is needed. Make sure what is added is truly needed---does it push the story forward. Make sure the backstory is only revealed when needed and make sure its meaning is clear. Try not to add backstory first. Avoid dumping ransom facts. Never stop the current story for a dump of info from the past, work it into dialogue or thoughts or memories. Confusing the flow of the story will only confuse your reader. 

Backstory should highlight the character's reasons for decision making. Make sure any information from the past matches the goals and fears of a character. If it sounds like a backstory, reword things to make it a snapshot inside the character's head or something that is said. And if you add backstory, make sure to stay true to the current time period of story as not to lose the focus of where the story is currently. 

All in all, add backstory sparingly throughout a novel and where it fits and bests give the hints you want a reader to gain. 

 

A short list of things to crop from your story---

 Before you send that story to your editor, here are some things that if you do them, will leave even the toughest of editors smiling:

1) Passive Voice: Active Voice is just that, direct and to the point. Passive voice beats around the bush and bores the reader. 

2) Distraction Prose: Do not go on and on and on with descriptions. Like Journalist, get to the point! Your readers will thank you and your story will be cleaner with fewer words. Drop the filler words and get to the point. If you must write settings then never more than about a short paragraph.  

3) Said Synonyms: Do not agonize over these. If said works leave it, if you think you used it too many times, find places to drop it. Most of the time "said" will not distract your readers but done well, even your editor won't notice. 

4) Type Usage: Follow your house guidelines on font and spacing and save yourself a lot of trouble. For example, some houses prefer commas where a semicolon is called for, simply because the semicolon can be distracting to readers. 

5) Telling: We hear it all the time--Show Don't Tell! Drop the He thought, She said, He looked, She realized, He saw---a lot of times just removing the two culprit words give a better sentence and don't take the reader out of the story. Write it as if you are showing the story from the character's eyes...not telling how it happened. Show it, just like we hear. 

6) Cliches: I've always heard only use a cliche' if you can add a twist to it. Cliche's can keep readers guessing what is meant and that takes them from the story. 

7) Adverbs: "ly" words are passive and not active writing. Search and take them out of your story and you will have a stronger work

8) JUST/WAS/HAD--Good words to search and remove to have a more active story. 

9) Cut Quantifying words- little/very for example. 

10) Avoid Dumps of Back Story---Tell pieces throughout the entire novel, not all at once. 

11) Avoid Head Hopping: Make Point of View changes clear or readers will become confused. 

12) Dialogue-Read it out loud, does it sound normal? Cut where you can. 

This is only a small start to what items can be cut. Take a moment to study each of these and you will have a better novel.

Is this scene moving my story forward?

Every scene in a story should play a part in moving the story forward--with purpose. Just as dumping a ton of back story into your first chapter is not the best thing to do, any scene that hasn't been planned out may fail your main character and thus...your story plot and ultimately your readers.

So, as you are writing your story, whether or not your plot or pance, you should be asking yourself a few questions about each scene. The first question to ask is:

Is this scene necessary? What purpose does it serve? 

If you cannot answer those questions, are you sure you have a scene that is important to the plot of the story as well as the character arc of your main character? (Hero/Heroine)

Each scene should show your character's wants or needs early on so it is clear to the reader. So, what is it the character wants, and what happens in this scene to show that to the reader? Put your character in the scene or a normal day, normal things, and what happens to change up where this character was headed? What has caused the problem or what stands in the way of the character getting what they want or need and....why? In other words, toss in CONFLICT!!! Throw in a roadblock that changes what the character thinks is going on or something that makes the character now have to make a decision.

How do you reveal the conflict in a scene--without giving the full plot of things away? 

What is it that happens to toss the character right into the middle of a mess? Toss in the strange, weird or unusual....why not? Your character is having a normal day so how do you make the scene take the character on a turn for the worse. Many authors will tell you to put your characters through hell, it makes for a better story. Once you iron out what will happen to change things up, then go back and look at the emotional arc of your character.

How does the character react to the conflict or problem...but more than that how does it affect them internally and externally. It may help to write these things out as you are thinking through a scene. How does your character respond? Think of all the senses in what your character encounters. What do they see, hear, smell, taste, and feel physically? What happens to them emotionally, even if minimal. Emotion can be the first reaction to how a character is motivated or will decide what to do about the conflict. Spell out what are the characters' motivations and how this scene adds to the overall plot in the long run.  

How does this scene get your character to his/her overall goal? It might help to start jotting down all the plot points along the way as they occur. If you are a panster, then this part can be done once you have the first draft and are working back through the story a second time. When I am writing I call if fluffing--adding more word count, but word count that does count. Words that add to the tension and make the reader what to turn the page.

What happens due to this scene? Does this cause your character to win, lose or plan around the conflict in the scene? Think of the conflict as an obstacle---did it trip the character up? How? Now, what?--or is that where you turn the page to the next chapter leaving a cliffhanger? It better be something good!

But as you are writing, think about the possible outcomes related to the conflict in the scene and your character's reaction. Does this scene leave you on the edge of your seat as a writer/author? If not majorly, then you need to increase the tension with a rewrite and more collateral fall out---damage so to speak. Add more conflict and make the stakes higher. Create a cliffhanger due to the conflict that tossed the character right out of their normal and into the fire.

Planning your scenes with the specifics of placement of conflict will stir up a story readers cannot put down. A bit of planning will keep the tension up in any story but also keep you on track not to go off on a tangent while you create havoc for your characters.

All writers will scold themselves about a saggy middle of a story that just isn't happening. This is not writer's block, it's simply a lack of planning and even if you are a panster like me--there is still a certain amount of planning that has to happen. Go back to the last big conflict and keep reading forward and think about what can be tossed in to create more conflict and more difficulties for your character that also makes sense to the central plot and the characters' motivations. Toss in the unexpected that just devastates your character's plans or motivations. Seriously! It sounds like a bad idea, but really it's not, it will keep your reader engaged!

Create conflict enough to put pressure on the hero/heroine that compels them to act, which drives the story forward. Do something that causes your character to have to make a hard decision that might stop them from meeting their goals. Send them to a place where they have no idea what to do. 

Authors who write suspense will say, kill someone or burn something important down when you hit the saggy middle of your story. That will cause your character conflict and decisions to make the story engaging. It's true sometimes characters don't always follow what we have plotted out, so also give your character permission to act or respond how that character decides. I know sometimes my characters have written parts of their own stories and when that happens it is magical. Character-driven stories are the best when it comes down to it, so while you want to stick to your main plot, give the hero/heroine some freedom to react and make decisions that fit them and boost what is happening. 

So let's go back to the conflict. What happened and now what is your character going to do? Make the choices or lack of choices difficult. Don't make things easy for your character. 

I have used Scene & Sequel by Dwight Swain to get a grip on what is really happening with the conflict in my story.

1) Goal-Make sure the character's goals are mentioned in the first paragraph of a scene but maybe subtle hints. This is a scene goal, not a full story plot. This gives the reader a question to ponder about the character or the characters' thoughts or something that comes out of the dialogue.  

2) Conflict-What are three things that can bring conflict to that goal within the scene? Show three exchanges of push or pull action or dialogue causing conflict. Think of those three items as stimuli and responses. 

3) Disaster-How does this end for the character in this scene? How did things worsen based on the character's response? How does this make things harder for the character and his/her goals?

The big question: Did your character achieve their goal for that scene or not?

    A couple of things could happen depending on your character's response:

            *Yes, but...now there are consequences for what the character did.

            *No, the character hits a dead end and has to plan something else. 

            *No, and now things are way worse for the character. 

Once you figure these out then what needs to happen is the following three items:

1) Reaction: What emotions does the character go through and what are his/her thoughts. Give some physical reactions along with the thoughts and emotions. 

2) Dilemma: Give the character thoughts on what the heck are they gonna do now. Don't give the character a ton of choices, make this hard and narrow down the choices.

3) Decision: What is the new plan and where is the character headed now? Send your character down that new path of dealing with the crisis.

If you can answer these questions and think through each of your scenes with the items mentioned you will raise the stakes for your characters and engage readers to the point they will turn the next page and keep reading. Whether you are a heavy-duty plotter or a total panster, asking some of these questions will give you a better-balanced story. Each chapter or scene will move the story forward and keep your readers engaged. 

Author Notes: Writing a Synopsis...without having a tantrum!

So you have finished your novel....now what? Oh, it's time for the SYNOPSIS. The dreaded point at which you narrow down your story plot from the 60K plus words you have written. Frightening? Well at some point every author has hit the synopsis wall so here are a few points to consider.

Think of your book's synopsis as a two-minute elevator pitch that would sell the story. A synopsis and a back cover blurb are similar but often times the back cover blurb doesn't give the ending of the story away, whereas in a synopsis it may tell more details surrounding the outcome of the story and how your reader may be changed.

Let's talk briefly about back book blurbs. To write your back cover blurb your can narrow your synopsis to 200 words or less, hit the best points, and don't tell how it ends. A back cover blurb is a simplified synopsis: Start with a tagline, mention your hero/heroine and the setting/what do they want and why and what's the conflict but don't give away what happens or how the story ends...hint at what's taking place and end with a strong sentence that becomes your hook. Once you complete your long synopsis you can narrow it down for the back of the book or vice versa...build on it to create your synopsis.

Back to writing your synopsis. Write your synopsis in third person. Start with thinking about that one-liner, tag line, that would summarize your story and build from there. This is also called a hook line in some cases. What's the catch (hook) and what makes this story unique? Most will say start your story at the point of no return...and it's the same for your synopsis. Who is your hero/heroine (h/h) and what has happened to cause a turn of events?

List the key points of your story. Think about your hero/heroine and their GMC.
     GOAL- who is the hero/heroine
     MOTIVATION-what does the h/h want and why
     CONFLICT-what is standing in the way

{GMC by Debra Dixon---Best Book Ever on the topic of writing story--Well worth the cost!}

Write those things out above. Set them aside and keep adding to them. What is the real hook of your story? Where is the h/h challenged? Where do they change?
Why do they change?

If you have a full story then you may be writing the synopsis after the novel but have you ever thought of writing your synopsis before you complete your novel? That's a good way to plan out or plot a bit of your story prior to writing it. It's also a way to beat writer's block when you get stuck. Think of it this way...what story am I writing and why? Who is my h/h and what is it they want? Why are they on this journey and what blocks their path? What turns their world upside down and why? And how is it resolved and how does the h/h change. Your h/h should be a changed or different person by the end of the story due to what has taken place. Just like your story has a plot, each character has a story arc- how they change due to the impact of what happens in the story.

Tell don't show your synopsis. Your novel should not tell but show a story while in the synopsis most often you will need to tell what happens. Sometimes the hook is the point where the unexpected occurs....that point of no return that changes your h/h forever.

Begin with who is your Hero/heroine with a strong sentence. Add a note about the setting and what is the conflict. Next, add in a sentence about what changes with that conflict and why. List the major plot turns. Those things that are in your h/h way. And then think about concluding items to add. What resolves things for your H/h? Where do they end up and how have they or will they be forever changed. And you might even add a line of how your reader may be impacted.

It's wise to not include many character names in your synopsis. At best stick to your H/H and possibly the antagonist in your story but not every town citizen along the way...so to speak. You don't want the names to get confusing. It's also a good idea to put any names in all caps.

A synopsis may be anywhere from 200 to 400 words. Some editors/agents prefer wording of 400 words or even less while some may prefer up to three page synopsis or even one-page synopsis. Synopsis are usually single-spaced, unlike your double-spaced novel. They are 12 point font and 1 inch margins most often.

Allow yourself to write freely and then set it aside for a few days. The idea when you return to it is to clean it up a bit. What words can be deleted to narrow word count but still saying the same thing? What is missing...did you leave out a key hook or turn of events? Now check your word choices...what active verbs or descriptions can you add to make your synopsis have readers/editors intrigued and sitting on the edge of their seat looking for more?

If you need a longer synopsis then add more detail to what your have written. A sentence or even two sentences to each paragraph and your ending as needed for length. But again use strong clean sentences with words that pack a punch without being cliche.

Finally, does what you have written tell the full story and hit all the plot points that change things for the H/H? Remember this is a draft to begin with and just like your novel you may change your synopsis several times along the journey and that's fine. As you continue your writing path hopefully these hints will be helpful.