When it comes to writing fiction I need uninterrupted time to write new pages and to do intense editing. I get, hmm, shall I say irritated when I’ve let my mind enter that other world and I get yanked back out of it to negotiate some sibling rivalry.
During the NaNoWriMo challenge last November I posted a blog called Over 30 Ways to Keep Kids Busy so You Can Write. It was a list of independent activities to occupy your kids so you could get some uninterrupted writing time. Today’s blog is the the companion to that list. A list of activities the writer can do during writing times when interruptions are inevitable.
So here is my list of things I can do while the kids are up and about and need access to a non-irritated mother.
1. research for WIP (online or books)
2. catch up on industry news
3. study the craft of writing—online; reading writing books, review notes from classes
4. highlight sections of my WIP to analyze later
5. goal setting/review
6. read books—in my genre, others
7. read aloud to the kids using books I’m analyzing
8. analyze beginnings and endings of other’s books
9. brainstorm ideas
10. take a trip to the library
11. browse ebay for WIP-related items (historical memorabilia, research)
12. clean the house so I’ll be ready to write later
13. blogs—read and write
14. research agents/markets
15. write observations of my children: how do they sound, act at their current ages
16. journal about where I’m at in my writing
17. use sticky notes to chart my plot/character development ala Kitty’s monster chart.
18. marketing (how-to books; try things out, brainstorm for WIP)
19. learn more about blogging; improve current website
20. put together playlist (historical time period)
21. find photos to represent my characters and setting
22. keep a bag of writing-on-the-go activities that I can toss in the car when I head out to the kids swim lessons.: books, notes, pen, mp3 player
23. organize my desk and computer files
24. write thank you notes
25. write a to-do list to tackle when I’ve got time to focus

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Thanks for the tips!
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