How to learn when there's not enough time!

[Preacher]

When I came back from a writers conference last year--all fired up and enthusiastic about the craft--I got involved with about 6 different writing websites. There are only a couple that I post anything on; the rest are just for reading. Lately, though, I've been having trouble keeping up with all of them. I've even received emails from THIS site since I haven't visited in so long. I've also gotten the latest batch of monthly writing magazines that I read, so now I've got even more to digest.

I read all these things because they allow me to pick up tips and advice. I'm not able to take a formal writing class right now, so this is my way of getting at least a little education. (And it's a lot cheaper than any class!) Plus, I don't have any local group to commiserate with about writing. So these groups and magazines are where I'm getting a little extra learning.

How do you learn more about the craft? (Beyond just simply writing, I mean.) And how do keep up writing, reading, learning, and having all the rest of life's activities?

I'm not looking for your daily schedule, just an idea of ways that you keep growing in your knowledge of the writing craft. I find the writing magazines and websites helpful---it's just getting hard to find the time to read them all.

[paulchernoch]

Every few weeks I google for "writing tips", "novel writing advice" and similar things. Occasionally something new shows up and I read it.

I have a number of books on self-editing. Every now and then I reread a section or two.
- Self-editing for fiction writers
- The First Five Pages
- Techniques of the Selling Writer

I read a lot of news on the internet. When I come across a word I don't know, I look it up on dictionary.com.

My reading is topical. When I am trying to polish the first chapter, I read up on opening lines and such. Ditto with "sagging middle", plot, characterization, endings, etc.

Every now and then I collar another acquaintance to read my latest draft. Their suggestions tell me where I need improvement the most.

- Paul

[Tarin]

Writing's one of those things you just have to make time for - because if you don't, nobody else is going to it for you. But that is undoubtedly a personal challenge. Everyone has to manipulate and prioritize their schedules in the way that's best for them.

As far as continuing my writing education goes... I subscribe to The Writer and Writer's Digest and read every issue cover to cover. I also receive a number of e-letters, if I spot an article that looks interesting I'll scan it and bookmark it or print it for later use. Really, though, the best way to grow as a writer is to read a handful of good books (such as those Paul mentioned), write every day, and find a reliable critique source to help you grow.

[TanyaSue]

I understand what you mean. I often feel like I'm racing to catch up to what I "should" already know. The fact is we'll never know it all. Once we accept that, we're less likely to constantly feel overwhelmed. :)

I used to do the magazines, but always felt like I couldn't keep up, so now I only grab them occasionally. I focus on books. Paul recommended The First Five Pages (by Noah Lukeman). It's a spectacular book with exercises at the end of each chapter. These are the types of books I read most frequently. I also read a number of books about the business of writing, writing proposals, grammar stuff ... even memoirs by writers can be helpful.

I am typically reading two writing books, a novel and two research books at all times. (I write nonfiction, so the research books are directly related to my current project.) I alternate between them all until I finish or until I get bored and grab something new.

[Gina123]

What a subject! I am always struggling with this. Like many of you I work a "regular" (Ha!) job as well as writing and keeping house, being a spouse, being a mom, doing yardwork and you name it. One good thing about it is that all this 'life experience' is helpful in writing stories of all sorts!

[tneeley]

Gina,

I'm with you on that working, housekeeping, wonder woman dilemma! We do need some sleep after all!

Preacher,

I had shared on another link with Rachel that I've taken my first workshop with Write His Answer (writehisanswer.com) and also ordered a Writing Daily Devotionals tape. The first workshop in the First Stes series I'm taking was just $34 and the tapes are also inexpensive. Marlene Bagnull's Write His Answer book is $14, I believe. I have budget trouble and that pricing fit my finances. I can't say enough about how much I've enjoyed this. You might check it out.

I've also taken other's advice from this site and am reading Strunk & White's The Elements of Style and Zinsers On Writing Well. I buy my book used, usually from alibris.com and save money there also.

I echo the write, read, research, write advice. I've felt overwhelmed at times and wondered how to juggle it all, but have decided it's part of the creative process and God knows what He's doing in making us and calling us.

Hang in there!

[michaelsnyder]

Preacher (what a cool 'name'...)

This may sound trite, but I would just say to take baby steps. If all you've got is fifteen minutes, that's all you've got. I too have a day job, a beautiful wife, and four awesome kids. I don't get to read, study, or write nearly as much as I'd like to. So the trick for me is just using whatever time I can find each day--the key being EACH day--and milk it for all it's worth.

I'd say first and foremost is reading great books, in my case novels. I read writers that are WAY better than me. (The good thing is that I'll never run out of books that meet that criteria! For me, if I only have time to read or write, I get more out of reading.) That said...

Write as much as you can and learn as much as you can in the time you have.

Then...give yourself some grace. There's no hurry and it's not a competition. Write one great paragraph and celebrate it. If you can do that, you'll be ahead of where you were yesterday. Do that long enough and you'll get where you need to be.

Sorry, didn't mean to go all Zig Ziglar on you.

Mike

[dovespromise]

I don't know what kind of "day job" you have right now, or what type of flexibility that job may offer. I used to work in a warehouse working independently at my station. It was a mundane job that paid the bills, but did not stimulate the mind. I listened to music and great sermons on my MP3, but I also took this 3 yr. position to work on my education. I would read books on my break, and listen to audiobooks while working. I could usually get through an entire novel in a day while working my 10 hr. shift. I listened not only for pleasure, but took mental notes about what worked well in the plot structure, themes, character development, etc. I listened to great writing how-to's including Zinzer's "On Writing Well" (DITTO, tneeley).

In addition, I would listen to lectures on history, literature and art and music by The Teaching Company. The history lectures especially fueled my imagination for possible historical novels. I began to understand what conflicts people faced in different eras. I also listened to audio biographies on C.S. Lewis, Beethoven, Booker T. Washington, and Susannah Wesley, just to name a few.

I understand that most jobs would not allow for this kind of flexibility, but I took full advantage of this independence and still managed to meet the job requirements. Maybe you could only carve out time for audios on your commute, or a few minutes reading your magazines before bedtime. Set goals to complete those great writing exercises in how-to books, maybe one or two a week. Pore over the works of authors you admire and try to understand what makes their writing work.

I would also encourage you to think about paring down your writing websites to one or two which are the most valuable to you. It's so easy to get caught up in too many online communities, which wastes valuable time that could be used studying or writing. Don't overload yourself with too much information...I am preaching to myself as this is very difficult NOT to do!

Blessings,
DovesPromise <><