Writing a Novel Around Parental Commitments
How Parent Authors May Find the Time to Write a Fiction Book
Apr 12, 2009
Becoming a parent means acquiring new skills: Flexibility, patience and above all, the enrichment of life experience. These are all positive attributes for becoming a writer, but the two minuses are time and energy usage. A few strategies can ensure that completion of the novel remains feasible during the responsibilities of parenthood.
Creative Writing During Parenthood
Parenthood often means distractions. Stopping just when the words begin to flow can be frustrating. But becoming a parent means having to stop at a moment’s notice to drive to casualty or tend to a fit of colic. These things have to be accepted, but there are ways to recoup lost time.
Opportunities for the Writer to Make Time to Write
An ordinary working day is full of little opportunities to snatch moments of writing time. Ten minutes there, half an hour there can all add up. A notebook can be taken anywhere for whenever the opportunity arises. Here are some examples.
- Whilst the child is asleep in the day.
- During bath time, so long as the child can sit up and can be heard from the writer’s location.
- In the garden during playtime.
- In a public enclosed play area.
- Whilst the children are watching their quota of TV.
- Even in the car.
Retaining Creativity During Parenthood
The parent’s biggest enemy to completing a project is becoming tired, jaded and losing motivation. Losing the will to write could develop into the dreaded writer's block. A healthy diet and exercise will help, but a sleep-deprived writer must never self-castigate for dozing off over their notebook. There will always be better days when the writer is feeling above par. Use this valuable time to write the first draft of the novel (see step two below). Sometimes, a day out to a scenic place will revitalise the mind.
Keep all the writing materials away from day to day things, and from prying fingers. Allocate a separate drawer and invest in good quality materials.
The Three Steps to Completing a Novel
These broadly are:
- The mental processes whilst not writing, such as overcoming a plot problem. The brain keeps working during housework and even during sleep.
- The commitment of the first draft, or the initial writing. This requires the most mental effort and creative concentration.
- Using the PC for editing and typing up. Typing up can be done on autopilot.
Working out Realistic Goals to Completing a Novel
Formulate a weekly goal as opposed to a daily one, for this allows for more flexibility. An average goal of say, 1500 words per week equals an average full-length novel in a year. This can easily be achieved with a couple of hour’s writing per week.
How to Finish a Novel within the Family Home
Writing a novel during parenthood means having to be flexible and accepting that family commitments come first. However, writing time can be recouped by snatching moments here and there. Keep a notebook handy for whenever the opportunity for jotting arises. Try to keep well, but tiredness will strike. Self-castigation will not help. Use the optimum time for putting down the first draft and keep to a realistic goal. The first draft of a full-length novel in a year can be achieved.
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