Been doing a lot of speaking this year, which involves one of my least favorite things: Checking into airports. I love the speaking once I arrive. It’s the getting there I’m not always thrilled with.
But if I can redeem the time by writing, I figure I break even on the travel. So here are some of the things I do to get the most out of my travel time. Maybe you can add a few tips of your own.
First, I pre-plan. I do much better if I have one or two definite goals for the flight. So the day before my trip I decide what part of my WIP I’ll work on. I spend some time preparing the scenes I’m going to write, figuring out what I want to accomplish.
Then I set a word quota so I have an objective firmly in mind. This provides a reachable goal to work toward.
I carry a file folder with printed notes I deem of use. This is for those times when they don’t let you have any electronics going on the plane.
I get the airport early so I have plenty of time to make it through security. At the gate area I scope out a place to sit and work, usually at some inactive gate nearby. Fewer people. If it’s an hour or more before boarding, I grab a coffee and take out the laptop and go. If it’s half an hour or less, I usually work on the written notes.
Onboard, I generally have a window seat. That way I can get seated and get working without having to worry about people getting up during the flight.
In the air I put on my Bose noise cancelling headphones and get the iTunes going. I write to movie soundtracks, which I’ve divided into lists depending on the mood of the scene. Usually I’m writing suspense, so I’ve got my Hitchcock scores and others at the ready.
And so it goes. When ordered to power down, I still have my written notes, or a paperback. Yes, I still carry paperbacks on planes. So sue me.
That’s my flyboy routine. On the ground, when I have to go someplace where I know I’ll have to wait, I might take my AlphaSmart with me. Again, I have pre-planned what I want to write, so I’m not twiddling my fingers over the keyboard.
Here’s the deal. We all have a finite time on this orb, and I want to get in as much writing as I can. Redeeming the time this way keeps me optimistic and productive.
Do I ever take a vacation from writing? Of course. My wife will tell you. We go away to lovely spot for some R & R. Conversations usually start like this: “Jim? Jim! There’s a great sunset over here. Jim, what are you thinking about?”
“Hm? What? Sorry, right.”
“Um, you have to look out the window to see it.”
“See what?”
“The sunset.”
“Right, right.”
“So, are you going to come to the window?”
“Just a sec, just a sec . . .”
So what about you? How do you redeem time to get your writing done?
I never cease to be astonished that so many writers can write to music. If I don’t have utter silence I can’t function.
Sadly, I’m not writing anything right now. I just recently finished my first manuscript and I have so many different stories in my head clamoring to be the next one worked on that I am literally frozen in indecision. I know. Sounds stupid. But that’s where I am at the moment. I’ve got to find a way to get unfrozen.
P.S. Just picked up Deceived at Borders tonight. I’m only about 50pages in so far but looking forward to seeing how you weave together the stories of all these characters.
i write every day but get frustrated because i don’t read as much as I think I should be. There are so many books I want to read and since I have a day job, it kind of makes me have to choose between reading or writing.
BK, thanks for the kind word. About choosing ideas, try this: give a “score” to three things on each one: 1. how precise is the idea (fully formed or fuzzy, etc.); 2. how marketable (how excited would readers be?) 3. how passionate are YOU about it?
This is all a bit arbitrary, but at least you can take the idea that scores “highest” and work on that one, or work on the first few a bit and see if anything changes.
Another idea is to write “back cover copy” for the top three or four ideas and show them to a few trusted friends. Let them give you feedback.
You’ll break through.
taylor, that you’re writing every day, with a day job, is great news. That’s the priority. With reading, one thing you can try is reading strategically. Read the first twenty pages of novels and ask what’s working, and why. Read key scenes from novels by writers you admire, etc. Don’t feel duty bound to finish a book that’s not working for you. Ask instead, why isn’t it working? Learn from it and move on.
You might try setting a quota of a few pages of reading, just as you do with your writing. Keep it reachable.
Taylor, I have the same problem (re: time to read). What reading time I usually have gets absorbed by non-fic for my research. I had to make a concerted effort this summer to make time to read novels and the result has been enjoyable and educational.
JSB-thanks for the ideas. I particularly like the idea of writing the back cover copy to help me decide. I hadn’t tried that. Thanks.
I never fly anywhere (don’t trust them new-fangled flyin’ machines) but I do spend a fair bit of time using the London Underground, or the nationwide rail network. All of these points are equally applicable to rail travel as air travel and I shall be employing them with gusto! After all, I spend an hour getting to work, and an hour getting home…how can I possibly say I have no time to write when I have two hours every day where I literally have nothing better to do?
I LOVE that you write to movie soundtracks. I love writing to music too. As a trained journalist, I always have music playing in the background as I write. But now I’m working on my first novel, and, it’s funny, I have to turn the music off to concentrate. Maybe it has to do with comfort levels, but I look forward to being able to crank it up one day soon. 🙂
Icy, well said and well done.
Dina, Stephen King used to write to blaring rock music. I can’t do that. We all have our lines to draw!
@james
yeah that’s a good idea for novels I’m not enjoying much, just to read parts of them and figure out why they’re not working.
I always learn a ton from reading books I don’t like. But there are also so many books that I love. I like to finish those completely.
I can’t write to music with distracting lyrics, and too much instrumental makes me homicidal for some reason. So for anyone else with my issues–try music in a language you don’t know. Anime theme songs work well for me in this.
Writing everywhere is a great thing if you can do it. I usually can, and I try to keep myself limber that way–I’ll take my netbook to the library or the park or a friend’s (who is writing too!) just to keep in practice. And I try to vary my method. Netbook, laptop, notebook…I don’t want to be stuck with One True Way to get anything done!
Wow! Are you organized or what, Jim!
I got married a couple of months ago and brought my laptop along on our honeymoon, squeezing in a few pages while my wife was in the shower or getting a massage or whatever.
Also, the airplane is a great place to write, and yes, grab that window seat.
I can’t write to music or any noise either. I miss out on my writers’ group’s weekly coffee shop writing marathons. Oh well. But, music does have a powerful effect on the imagination and emotional inspiration, so one thing I’ve found that helps is to listen to some specific music for a while BEFORE I start writing. If I get “in the mood” through relaxing and listening to a few pieces that fit what I’m working on, then I can turn it all off and get to work. It’s a suggestion for those of us who love music and find it stirring, but need to have silence to put thoughts down.
I’m loving all your great tips, Jim!
Hey KD, I like that idea of varying your methods. At the very least, have a pen or pencil handy, and some paper napkins!
Mike, you dog. You’re a true writer all right.
Susanne, I have come up with major plot elements by pictures that come to mind listening to music. So that’s a great way to brainstorm. Thanks for mentioning it.
Jim, chuckled over your vacation getaway conversation. That sounds so familiar.
All to familiar, Mark. I’m trying to be better about that. Trying not to look at a nice view of the ocean as a place a body might be dumped, and so on.
Airline travel is one of the few times I don’t even try to write. Writing is work, and I prefer to relax by reading a good book. I’d be in big trouble without a book. And maybe a glass of wine.
Kathryn, hard to argue with that. How about 1,000 words and then a glass of wine?
mine tends to run spurr of the moment, sometimes I can write a blog or two a head, but I have to be pliable since I’m a single mom. 🙂
Summer, pliable is good if you grab those moments. Thanks.
Jim,
First of all, I finally read No Legal Grounds last week. Took me 3 sittings. That means it was a page turner. Good job again.
Second, you mention your AlphaSmart a lot. I’ve been ridiculed by 3 people lately when they see mine. I’m told that the “special” kids at school use them. How can I proudly use my AlphaSmart? Should I disguise it somehow? Or should I do what one of your characters might do and dump their bodies near a beautiful spot on the ocean?
:}
Gene
I typically spend down time at my job as a great moment to write. I’m an IT guy, so much of my work involves starting a process and waiting an hour for it to finish, so that gives me a bit each day. Also, nights and weekends. The problem though is my other job, as a talkshow host, tends to interrupt my day by pulling me to reading online news and blogs that have nothing to do with my writing.
As far as reading, with 2.5 jobs and kids and wife the closest I come to regular reading is audiobooks at the gym and in my truck. lots of audiobooks.
Basil
http://www.basilsands.com
Gene, that’s hilarious. I proudly use my Alpha. People in Starbucks come up and ask about it. When I tell them what it does, and the battery life, they tend to go “Wow.”
Type proudly, my friend.
And thanks for the good word about No Legal Grounds.
Basil, audiobooks are awesome, aren’t they? Multi task, baby!
Eh… I need quiet & coffee when I write. Do like to edit when flying. Red pens work at any altitude. Also stare at photos of ‘scene locations’ or people taken by my wife (she’s a terrific photographer) so we combine the 2 ‘artforms’. It’s a great partnership, 35 years & we’re still best friends.
Jax, I forgot to mention that. Editing with a red felt tip pen is a good way to spend the time. Thanks.
I’m a total soundtrack junkie now. I think I’ve bought about 30 of them, and I also have them divided into different playlist “moods.”
I don’t have any Bernard Herrmann yet, but he’s on my wishlist.