April 2024: Revision Reflections
The Time of My Life
Making Time for a Life of Writing
It is taking me longer to write books these days. For no particular reason other than it is taking me longer to write books these days. I once imagined that as my children grew larger and my nest grew emptier that my work days would grow proportionately longer.
But, much like a newly cleaned out closet, what was once empty mysteriously and incrementally refills.
In the space left behind by my children, I now find myself sitting at my desk doing everything but writing—sending emails, scheduling appointments and events, chatting on Zoom meetings and interviews, reading, organizing my calendar, booking travel, preparing talks and presentations, composing social media posts, daydreaming, and trying and failing to avoid the daily news doomscrolling. Of course there is much grumbling about all I need to do to first clear my head and my desk before my mind can settle on the task of writing. Meanwhile the clock ticks and the hours disappear.
When I meet other writers who seemingly manage to get a lot done in their day, I quiz them—“What time do you get up each morning?” ”Do you find time to read?” “Do you cook?” What I really want to know is, Can you truly have a full and productive life and do all the things that come with being a full time writer?
What am I feeding? Everything but my writing. The tasks that require the least of me.
Once upon a time, at the start of my writing career, my days were packed with the making of school lunches, kid drop-offs and pickups, homework help, sports practices, and playdates, dinner making, doctor’s appointments, rinse and repeat. My writing was tucked in the in-between times, scratched out in the notebooks I toted to and fro.
Often those notebooks were crumpled messes and a diary of life on the go, smudged with yogurt and lipstick, and in the margins of the pages, scribbles of other appointments I needed to keep. I counted myself as a time thief—stealing and sneaking scraps of time away as if they weren’t truly mine to own.
And if I didn’t get the balance just right, if I “stole” or “borrowed” too much from one part of my life, the other parts would feel the shortage. No dinner again tonight? Did you buy the supplies for my project—it is due today! I would apologetically return some of that borrowed time to its rightful owner while my writing sat again unattended, waiting.
My children, having flown the proverbial nest, still have phones that can reach me at all times of the day with grave emergencies. “I’m bored,” one calls to report working from their remote job. Another asks, “What should I have for lunch?” “Should I go see a doctor about…” Meanwhile, the clock ticks and the hours disappear.
“Everyone has a to do list,” says writer Anne Lamott, “Today cross two things off of your list and spend that time writing.”
I have tried Lamott’s methods and many others—color-coded calendars, time blocking, timers, and daily word counts, all with mixed results. I plan my day, hoping that what is on my calendar will translate into some version of sentences or research or even notes on a page.
I begin each day with the promise of accessing more of what wasn’t there the day before. I think of what my writing day will yield each as I do my morning stretches. When I head out on my walk I plan what I will first work on, seeing in my mind’s eye the sentences form. In the shower, I speak to the characters I’ll shortly be visiting. But by the time I descend the stairs and make my way into my office and sit at my desk to begin, I open my inbox and… the clock ticks and another hour disappears.
One recent morning I tried a new guided meditation where the mantra was “What you feed grows.”
What was I feeding? I asked myself, vowing to tuck away that morsel.
I returned to my desk and began my day—Sending emails, scheduling appointments and events, zoom meetings, interviews, reading, organizing my calendar, planning trav—….wait…Is this what I am feeding?
Even with all of the time in the world, I am beginning to recognize that what is sitting before me is not a lack of time. There is nothing that any of my time management books can cure.
What am I feeding? Everything but my writing. The tasks that require the least of me.
The work of writing requires not only time and daily attention but intention. An understanding of the who you are writing about and the why you are writing. It requires the very hard work of committing words to a page. By feeding my to-do list first, the less time I am devoting to feeding my own writing.
Yes, I am busy. And yes, my day is full. Those facts aren’t likely to change anytime soon. But could it also be that I have more than enough time? That what I need more than extra hours in a day is the strength to embrace the time I have and the courage to put aside all else, face the fear of of a blank page and write?
In community,
Lesa
The R(ev)ise and Shine! Residency
We’re still accepting applications through May 1, 2024 for the inaugural R(ev)ise and Shine! Residency, to be held August 31 thru September 3, 2024 at the Highlights Foundation in Milanville, PA.
Take advantage of a full schedule of lectures, targeted writing exercises, one-on-one meetings with mentors, face time with an agent, and other group activities. Our special guests will be the amazing agent and author Eric Smith, and the renowned illustrator and artist, James Ransome. All attendees will have their own private room/cabin, and will enjoy gourmet, chef-prepared meals.
The cost is $1999.00, including room, board, and programming.
We’re also awarding one $500 scholarship to a Black or Indigenous writer.
A tentative schedule of events, a comprehensive FAQ, and detailed lecture/workshop descriptions are available on our website.
We’ve already received a bunch of amazing applications, but there’s still plenty of time to apply! Feel free to drop any questions you have into the comments or reach out to us via the contact form on our website.
Click the image below to find out more and apply now:
Announcements:
Comics Workshop with Jo!
This five-day workshop with instructors Jo Knowles and Glynnis Fawkes explores the fundamentals of creating relatable young characters and coming of age stories. Through a series of generative exercises and workshops, students will mine childhood/adolescent memories in writing and drawing comics for the fast-expanding YA and Middle Grade market.
The workshop will additionally address specific aspects of writing for young people, including strategies of telling stories with heart, mechanics of making exciting comics, and the process of publishing. Many past attendees have said this course creates a warm community that lasts long after the week is over.
Click the image below to find out more:
Writing With Pride: A Two-Night Mini for Young Adult Horror Writers with Rob!
Rob is delighted to announce that he will be teaming with the incomparable Anna-Marie McLemore to teach a two-night mini webinar on Writing Queer YA Horror as part of the Highlights Foundation's "Writing with Pride" series.
A Two-Night Mini Online Course:
Young adult readers love horror novels–they are safe spaces to explore humanity’s fears. For many queer and questioning readers, YA horror is a safe space for much more.
Join young adult authors Anna-Marie McLemore and Rob Costello for this short course for writers looking to create space in their horror and fantastical books for queer and questioning teens.
This program will draw on a rainbow of examples and experiences, and is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions with information, plus time to capture your own ideas and ask questions.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
Thursday, June 13, 2024 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat.
Recordings available until July 31, 2024.
Click the image below to find out more and register:
Congratulations, Lesa!
In case you missed it, check out the rave review by Salamishah Tillet in the April 12, 2024 edition of the New York Times for Lesa’s latest YA novel-in-verse, One Big Open Sky!
“Cline-Ransome’s evocative writing — a mix of richly textured description and vibrant dialogue — makes the impact of the family’s betrayals by the federal government and their fellow Exodusters all the more harrowing…”
Click the image to read the full review:
Dear Lesa, It's taken days to find time within my scheduled procrastination to jot this note. I share your consternation over the misallocation of time. Spending irretrievable hours (otherwise known as frittering) on mini-tasks and some on FB as well, has forced me to conclude that I lose a week every two weeks. Except for time devoted to sparkly grandchildren, I have little else to show for my misspent effort. Here's hoping that this little confrontation with the reality of time (ugh: reality and time) will spur us on to more productive days. Yours truly, Suzanne Bloom