Setting a low daily target of 500 words ensures consistent progress in writing.
Embrace completing a rough first draft to avoid getting stuck in perfecting each chapter indefinitely.
Deep dives
Writing Routine: Setting Stricter Targets
Authors are exploring how to manipulate their time efficiently to write. Stephen Butler, a writer with a diverse background, emphasizes setting a low daily target of 500 words to ensure consistent progress. By focusing on completing these 500 words, even on distracted days, productivity increases towards finishing entire books.
Writing Process: Editing while Writing
Stephen Butler shares his approach of pride in crafting a quality first draft by editing as he progresses. He advocates for embracing a terrible initial draft to avoid the trap of endlessly perfecting each chapter and never completing a book. By prioritizing finishing the first draft, writers can then refine and enhance their work in subsequent revisions.
Creative Work Habits: Balancing Multiple Projects
Butler discusses managing a hectic schedule involving various creative pursuits like acting, singing, and writing. He recounts a particularly busy period when he wrote an entire book in three weeks while performing daily. Butler's adaptable routine allows him to switch between different creative tasks efficiently, demonstrating the importance of integrating writing into a dynamic lifestyle.
It's children's fiction king-pin Steven Butler, with his writing routine!Steven is an actor, a singer, a voice-over artist, a passionate cook and somehow finds time to jot down some best-selling books. In this episode, we'll find out how he organises his day to keep creative and focused, while doing about a billion different projects.Steven writes brand new books in the world-famous and loved 'Dennis the Menace' series, has penned 'World Book Day' titles, and was shortlisted for the prestigious 'Roald Dahl Funny Prize'.We chat about how an old headmaster gave him the inspiration to write for kids, why getting out a first draft is vital, and how a bit of luck always helps.Also, you can learn how F. Scott Fitzgerald managed to get his work done amongst all that drinking and dancing in our Distinguished Diaries feature. Plus, you'll need to find a baguette and necklace of garlic to keep up with how delightfully Parisian the backing music is getting.@writerspodwritersroutine@gmail.com