Regular writing on a novel is absolutely essential. The plot and characters may be well established in your mind. But it is a constant battle to ensure that they are not swamped with other, personal preoccupations.” Joan Aiken, The Way to Write for Children
Joan Aiken published more than 100 works for both children and adults, including a beloved children’s classic, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. She also penned a gem, The Way to Write for Children. This short guide is a master class in creative writing packed with advice on plot design, pacing, voice, and character development. It’s a goldmine, whatever the type of writing project you’re working on.
One of the issues tackled is finding the time to write, especially in the face of work and family demands. Joan believes “disciplined, regular output” — writing on a daily basis — is the key to sustaining a strong, consistent style in any given project.
Working on a story steadily through writing, planning, and thinking about is key. Otherwise, re-immersing yourself in it can be very challenging: “You may find that you have to waste days and days getting back into the mood, picking up the thread, rediscovering the voice. Pages and pages of writing may have to be discarded.”
Finding time may not be easy, but with effort and intention, says Joan, it is possible to keep your story front and center, even in the midst of your day. She suggests using odd moments here and there — waiting on a line or while cooking — “to brood about the characters, attack problems, and find solutions.” Agatha Christie once said, “The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes.”
In my own experience, I’ve found that noodling problems around in a relaxed way while I’m away from the page can be very productive. Walking works for me, so I’ll sometimes amble to the store or the park and ponder plot points. To my mind, Joan’s key message is that staying committed to our work and sustaining its momentum, no matter what else is going on, is crucial to making real progress. Write on!
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