Dating for Writing

If I’m having a really hard time motivating myself to write–and by write, I mean planting myself in a chair to just do it–I make a date. There are several advantages to making a date.

1. The time is scheduled. I feel obligated just because it’s in my datebook. I feel even more obligated if I announce that I have a writing date on Twitter or similar.

2. If I don’t show up, my fellow writer will be annoyed.

3. If I show up and don’t write, the date will be a failure.

4. If I don’t show up, or show up and don’t write, then I have to tell people I wimped out.

5. I always feel better after I’ve added wordcount.

So, essentially, a writing date shames me into writing. There are other reasons for writing dates, for instance seeing a writer friend, but right now, making myself write is the main reason for me.

About Victoria Janssen

Victoria Janssen [she, her] currently writes cozy space opera for Kalikoi. The novella series A Place of Refuge begins with Finding Refuge: Telepathic warrior Talia Avi, genius engineer Miki Boudreaux, and augmented soldier Faigin Balfour fought the fascist Federated Colonies for ten years, following the charismatic dissenter Jon Churchill. Then Jon disappeared, Talia was thought dead, and Miki and Faigin struggled to take Jon’s place and stay alive. When the FC is unexpectedly upended, Talia is reunited with her friends and they are given sanctuary on the enigmatic planet Refuge. The trio of former guerillas strive to recover from lifetimes of trauma, build new lives on a planet with endless horizons, and forge tender new connections with each other.
This entry was posted in writing process. Bookmark the permalink.

4 Responses to Dating for Writing

  1. Leanne says:

    So you actually go somewhere and write together? I've noticed a couple of my writing buddies announce on Facebook that they're writing, but each from their own homes.

    I haven't written anything since the beginning of June.

  2. Victoria Janssen says:

    Yep! That way, neither person can be distracted by, say, their laundry.

  3. Cathleen Ross says:

    I didn't know that you wrote as two people. I thought you were one person.
    Best
    Cathleen

  4. Victoria Janssen says:

    LOL!

Comments are closed.