Working full-time while writing a novel is challenging, to say the least. In my search for ways to manage the challenge, I have found two tools especially helpful. One is a hand-held digital voice recorder. The other is BIC.
I brought the recorder to Munich in October and used it each evening to record my general impressions and story ideas. In those few days, I recorded about 35 minutes of verbal rambling. Those audio files are now saved on my computer for reference as I need them. Now I keep the recorder in my car next to the ever-present coffee cup. When an idea or a plot twist hits me during my hours of driving each week, I can capture it before it vaporizes with the aggravation of finding a parking spot in South Side.
By far the most useful tool I have found is BIC. Butt In Chair. Putting a priority on writing. Giving it the attention I give my day job. Disciplining myself to show up and work on the manuscript every day. I think it was Woody Allen who said, "Eighty percent of success is just showing up."
I'm up to 61 pages. And counting.
Hello
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