Re: The Worst Book Ever
Hi, all. I don't think I've posted here - actually I don't think I've posted anywhere on the message board since I registered. But I've been lurking for a while now.
My main problem is getting down to the BIC. Working for myself, I have considerably varying workloads. Sometimes, I can have a few weeks where I only need to do a couple of hours' work a day; other times (e.g. the last month) I have to work 15-hours a day or more. Last Thursday, for example, I had to get up at 4am and work straight through to 5pm to complete two jobs in time for the deadlines. I then collapsed into a vegetable-like state alternating between watching TV, reading (including reading this thread) and sleeping for a few days, before starting on the next project.
Personally, if I were working 15-hour days, I wouldn't force myself to write at the end of them.
I don't use the BIC method. What I DO is keep a loose eye on how much progress I've made in a given time - usually about a week. If it drops below about 2k/week (A total I can usually cruise past in a day or two), I impose BIC for the next month, until I've got through whatever bit I was jamming on. If I try to BIC for too much longer, it can actually bring back the mental jam. Working towards an actual deadline is good, too - again, there's no pressure on a single given day, but there IS a way to chart whether you're "on track" or you've fallen behind.
There are several other techniques out there to keep you writing. BIC is the best for most people, but it might not be the best for full time hours or variable work times. Use anything that will keep you productive.
My not-so-secret vice is jumping from project to project within a few days -- or, sometimes, hours. On the one hand, at least it keeps me writing. On the other hand, it can slow down my progress in a given work. I also sometimes wonder if it makes it harder to focus on a particular character's personality, because I'm constantly hopping out of their headspace and into anothers'. Any thoughts?
On writing books: I find the way I judge whether a writing book is good is almost the oppsoite of what i would use for every other kind of pleasure reading - It's good if I feel the urge to set it down and start scribbling.