Category: Writing for the Long Haul - Mala Naidoo’s Book World

Word Rhythm – some time… somehow

People ask, ‘so how does one complete a novel?’ The simple response is, ‘write every day.’

Fifty words on a page are better than a blank page.

Consistency is key and if for whatever reason writing is impossible on a day, double up the output in the next writing session. Perhaps not all in one go, divide the writing time to two sessions if possible, on a given day that fits in with what is already on your plate.

Writing more is by showing up, at a regular time, bottom on the seat, minimal distractions or no distractions at all. Commit to a solid ninety-minutes, then change the activity, but if the juice is still flowing go back for another session.

Blocks of time, free of distractions is essential to see a creative project to completion.

Ways in which to maximise creative time is to have a notepad/journal at the ready wherever you are. I have A5 journals in my handbag, workbag and pencils stashed in every pocket. Sitting in the doctor’s or dentist’s waiting room, or with colour in your hair at the hairdresser, or as I do, while sitting in the car at the car wash, scribble a few lines to keep the momentum of your story going. Watching soap suds gyrate in a splash of colour stirs the imagination! Back at your desk, if that’s where you prefer to write, draw those mini journal creative thoughts into your WIP manuscript.

Having word count goals helps to hold one accountable. My target is to finish a chapter at each writing session, if possible, or to leave a trigger sentence for the next writing session, to pick up the pace, action and momentum.

Caught in a roadblock? Pull out a notepad and write, if you can’t take your eyes off the road, audio record your verbal musings — now traffic cops, I dare to say, have not come up with traffic fines for the some time… somehow writer at a standstill in a roadblock, NOT in moving traffic, I must add – that is a massive NO-NO! Anything that will hinder the imagination is a blaring siren and flashing lights… although a fictional high-speed chase adds adrenaline to a thriller… let me add that… to my…

Like we need our zzzz’s, we need our number of words down on the page each day.

Some like holding themselves accountable through a writing group and others prefer to create their own deadlines. Either way, commitment matters to take your draft from a manuscript to an actual book.

Courage is the commitment to begin without any guarantee of success ~ Wolfgang Von Goethe

Some have a few writing days set aside in the week and commit like it’s a job they go to for five or six hours a day. If these are the only days available, the habit is cultivated and creative productivity soars on those days.
Roads trips, as long as you’re not doing the driving, is another great way to nab some writing hours, the imagination will be stimulated as you travel through various locations.

My next some time… somehow is to jump on a train and go to the furthest end of the line and back while writing. I am a desk-bound writer so this is an adventure that might or might not yield a new result. Let’s hope nobody throws me off the train for wearing heavily shaded sunglasses, a cap and seen to be furtively writing some secretive lines, perhaps on the comings and goings on each platform?

Get on that train, write at the car wash, whatever you do, do create space for your book!

Happy Writing, Happy Musing!

Carpe Diem!

Please share your some time… somehow to help others maximise writing outcomes.

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Wellness While You Write

Everyone is a writer- authors, students, teachers, business executives, talk show hosts, journalists, doctors, lawyers, engineers and the list goes on. Some of us write for longer periods in our day and others in short spurts, depending on what you do and want to achieve from your writing.

How do you take care of your energy levels, nutrition, body and mind, when writing pins you to your desk for most of your day?

When the writing muse comes calling, all else is forgotten, the writer lives in the space where ideas unfold upon ideas, time stands still.

Often writing in the comfort of our own space can lead to poor eating patterns. This might seem like common sense but we need to be reminded to sustain ourselves for the long haul. Writing is mental, creative energy that needs sustenance – yes sustenance – I don’t mean food for the soul – that is important, but, you need good wholesome food, first, before the reward food if it’s your choice. Do you keep a jar of lollies at your writing desk?

Here’s a strategy for a healthier writer body and mind:

If you start your day at 5 am and head to the kettle for your coffee fix. Stop. You need to sustain your energy for the duration of your writing day/ hours.

Try this for three days and note the difference.

fill a jug with water, slice half an English cucumber or a whole Lebanese cucumber, and add it to the water.Cucumber is a source of vitamin B. Leave the skin on and you add vitamin C to your drink which is much needed to ward off colds with winter advancing in this neck of the woods. A dash of chopped mint is optional but a great herb to add. Adding a thin slice of lemon will pack on more vitamin C.
while the water, cucumber, and mint infuse, get in a few back stretches while standing in the kitchen and a few more cat stretches on the carpet or exercise mat if you have one readily available. Arching and relaxing your back will serve you well for a day or hours in your writing chair.

Now for the refreshing drink:

a tall glass of cucumber-infused water should be sipped while standing up – only because you will be sitting in your chair for an extended time. Keep the blood flowing like you would on a long haul flight.
having that cup of coffee should come after the cucumber infused water which would have energised you by now, clearing the mind, cleansing and oxygenating the blood. The antioxidants perform their magic. Cucumber is an anti-inflammatory food which might aid with swelling feet if you are prone to this after hours of sitting at your laptop.It might help your aching fingers or wrists after hours/days of typing too.
if you are an exercise junkie, (if you can fit that in with your writing schedule) and need your morning run, eat a banana before you head off.
now for breakfast, you’ve stretched, cleansed, had your coffee treat or banana and run, what should your choice of breakfast be before you hit the writing page?

Here are some options depending on whether you are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose intolerant or diabetic etc.

a small slice of fruit, if you had the banana, skip this step, – a small bowl of rolled oats will sustain you for hours of writing – if you prefer eggs – poach them and eat with a slice or two of lightly grilled tomato.
If you have avocado on hand, a slice will add to a healthy mix. Limit bread to wholemeal/gluten-free if you are going to have a slice of toast.
take your jug of cucumber infused water and leave it close to your writing desk to sip at will – why should you do this? It hydrates you, keeps you clear-headed, mentally alert and the bonus is you will be forced to stand up to walk to the toilet!

As writers, time does not exist when in the creative maze of writing, two hours may seem like twenty minutes.

You might ask, what about lunch and dinner?

A light lunch perhaps, a topping of your choice (no to jams and spreads) on wholemeal or gluten-free crackers or bruschetta followed by a cup of green tea. Dinner could include grilled or steamed vegetables, fish, or any lean protein of your choice with a salad, followed by a cup of herb tea and perhaps…perhaps… a tiny treat of your choice.

Here’s hoping this works for you as it does for me, if you have suggestions on how you remain well and sustain yourself on your writing days, please share by writing in the comment box below.

Wishing you many healthy, happy writing hours!

Please share how you maintain a healthy desk-bound body, mind and spirit?

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Is Commitment on Your Agenda?

Across Time and Space explores commitment in relationships in romance, friendship and family relationships. Whether or not it leads to the commitment of, ‘I do’ – commitment is a primal need in relationships for one to feel valued. The protagonist in Across Time and Space has been in a relationship for a length of time, a comfortable, complacency envelopes the relationship creating restlessness that becomes the catalyst for unimagined challenges.

This begs the question, does commitment mean unstinting devotion and loyalty akin to ‘til death do us part?’ The answers are vast and varied depending on the values one has embraced or formed.

Being raised in a time and place which instilled that a promise of commitment meant fulfilment of that promise on a nominated, ceremonial day which comes with its own merits and flaws. This might be considered ‘old world’ or fit for ‘Cinderella and her Prince Charming’, yet the expectation is that couples will unite or commit in a way they deem appropriate to both of them. Yes, the operative word is both – not ‘one’ making a decision, on a whim, that life’s path has beckoned a change for ‘one’ without consideration for how this might impact on the other half of both. Such is the life of the protagonist in Across Time and Space and her partner – good people in their own right who buckle under the fear of commitment, fear for the loss that might be incurred in all that has yet to be achieved in life.

This leads me to why should commitment be feared as the end to individuality and relinquishing of one’s dreams? Commitment should encompass all spheres of one’s life in relationships: singular and joint dreams, commitment to professional ideals and commitment to going off on a whim if its one’s choice to do so by acknowledging that both need to be aware of such changes. Meryl, in Across Time and Space will clarify the choices she makes to catch the star of her destiny that she feared might never be realised in her lifetime.

Commitment can have its dark and dangerous side when passion overrides reason. This brings to mind Catherine and Heathcliffe in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights where both are inextricably and destructively hemmed to each other. Stepping outside literature as we turn on our televisions to the reality of the evening news or an online article on domestic violence which results from unhealthy commitment which is power and control. Supposed commitment, commitment without reason creates a dark, terrible and often tragic situation.

Commitment in family relationships be it as mother, father, grandparent, carer or extended family member should be based on trust, approval, open communication and support from love shared to promote good mental health.

Love, respect and freedom of choices are a right that should not be debated, it’s a basic human right – a human right that should acknowledge commitment to respectful consideration through communication before heading off alone into the sunset.

Commitment to values includes commitment to the values of place, the place we call home – the country- the city- the street- our backyards. It is often those who cannot commit on a personal level who cannot commit to democracy, justice and a fair go.

Reason should always caution passion, dreams should be lived for peace and joy to reign for both halves in any relationship and for all in our choice of place that we call home.

What’s your take on commitment to all things in life? I would love to know your thoughts.

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