I agree with this so much, Lev. I have a system, and as I am working toward a specific book deadline it gets a little bit more strict (right now that’s the case, aiming for 5 days a week 500 words a day and I will fail a lot). So much arrives during the “floor sweeping” moments, like your treadmill moment. This happens to artists too, and a lot of the pressure comes from graduate school pressure/indoctrination that if you aren’t in your studio (at your writing desk) 24/7 then you aren’t an artist (or writer). It’s absurd. I think it’s also why there’s so much boring art! I’m crossing the streams here but anyway, ECHO ECHO!
Me too: If I have a deadline, I work harder and faster and have never missed one yet in decades of publishing. i especially relish revisions, the change to go back in and get it right. :-)
I'm 64,000 words into the novel I put aside during the pandemic and have spent the last week on one scene, weaving in various elements and themes as I led my subconscious work on the next chapter.
It always helps me to read people who write very differently than I do, no matter the genre. So Didion's last memoir has been a great help, ditto some Robert Harris thrillers, some Shirley Jackson,
Love the concept that every project has its own unique rhythm! Obsessing over daily word count seems to abandon the process of letting the muse work through you, yet I know that it works for many.
I agree with this so much, Lev. I have a system, and as I am working toward a specific book deadline it gets a little bit more strict (right now that’s the case, aiming for 5 days a week 500 words a day and I will fail a lot). So much arrives during the “floor sweeping” moments, like your treadmill moment. This happens to artists too, and a lot of the pressure comes from graduate school pressure/indoctrination that if you aren’t in your studio (at your writing desk) 24/7 then you aren’t an artist (or writer). It’s absurd. I think it’s also why there’s so much boring art! I’m crossing the streams here but anyway, ECHO ECHO!
Me too: If I have a deadline, I work harder and faster and have never missed one yet in decades of publishing. i especially relish revisions, the change to go back in and get it right. :-)
I'm 64,000 words into the novel I put aside during the pandemic and have spent the last week on one scene, weaving in various elements and themes as I led my subconscious work on the next chapter.
It always helps me to read people who write very differently than I do, no matter the genre. So Didion's last memoir has been a great help, ditto some Robert Harris thrillers, some Shirley Jackson,
Love the concept that every project has its own unique rhythm! Obsessing over daily word count seems to abandon the process of letting the muse work through you, yet I know that it works for many.
Different strokes for different folks as they said in the 60s.