For the writer who also holds a job, Friday afternoon is the best time to say, “I had a long week. I need to relax.” You clearly deserve it, but Monday is on the horizon. If you’re serious about writing and too exhausted during the week, you’ll use part of your free time over the weekend to write.
But what happens when you find yourself cut off from the typical work week for long periods of time? Maybe you got laid off, went on sabbatical, had a long-term injury, medical issue, or retired. Whatever the reason, that extended time away puts you in The Weekend Zone, where every day is “Saturday.”
In ancient times, some maps used the phrase, “There be dragons ahead.”
For The Weekend Zone, it’s, “There be idleness ahead.” Not on purpose. It’s never on purpose. But the “I deserve a rest” mindset can creep up on you. You’ve earned it, right?
Yes, but only to a point. When every day is Saturday, and you need to finish that writing project, sometimes you have to nudge yourself to work on it.
Here are a few things I do to get back on task when “leisure calls.”
- Create a to-do list and put your writing project on it.
I write my to-do list in pencil. On the odd occasion, when I don’t write even though my list says I should, I’ll erase it and replace it with something else, like “clean the bathroom.” It’s amazing the lengths I’ll go to when I want to avoid writing. Avoidance is okay, as long as it doesn’t become a habit.
2. On the days you don’t feel like creating, reread chapters you’ve already written.
Only do this if you’re deep into your work and have a pretty good idea what direction you’re heading. Proofreading too soon might cause you to question your idea before it’s fully formed.
3. Take a small tablet and pencil, or your phone for recording, and go for a walk. While your feet move you forward, your brain can play out scenes as you go. Then you can write them down on the spot.
I can’t even count the number of times talking into my phone about story problems has helped me find answers to questions I couldn’t uncover while sitting in front of a computer screen. (The surprise answers usually come later, while I transcribe my spoken notes.)
4. Temporarily engage in an activity that still makes use of your creativity, even if it’s in an area unrelated to your writing.
One early morning, while jogging around a building surrounded by vacant parking lots, I discovered a single sock in an empty parking space. Two questions popped into my head: “Why just one sock?” And “What happened to the other one?”
In that instant, I began to compose song lyrics about a sock in a parking space.
It didn’t end there. Back home, it wasn’t enough to simply capture the tune and a few rough lyrics. I felt compelled to set that impromptu song to piano music. On a day meant for work on chapter 31, I raced instead to my closet and yanked worthless junk aside until I unearthed my old keyboard. I hadn’t taken it out of the box in years. The last time I’d used it, I’d carefully returned it to its original packaging. The Styrofoam ends didn’t just prevent the keyboard from jostling. They prevented anyone from pulling it out of the box.
After much yanking and tugging, the keyboard finally popped out. Once set up on the dining table, I began the grueling task of figuring out which notes fit the tune. Anyone who plays by “ear” could have done it in a minute. When you play by “index finger,” it takes longer. Just pecking out the tune didn’t cut it. I needed matching chords to go with it. Through a process of elimination, I found the right ones. Next, I suffered through listening to all the outdated presets (told you the keyboard was old) for an accompaniment that felt right. Putting it all together—chords and singing—took practice and multiple recordings to reach the final version.
You might ask, “How did writing and recording a song parody help your unfinished novel?”
All I can say is whenever I listen to “The Lone Sock” song, I laugh.
I believe laughter can clear your head of all the clutter that’s preventing you from writing.
At least I’m giving my song credit for the fact that Chapter 31 is now finished.
After a friend heard my song, she texted a picture with the note, “I found this whale yesterday on a walk with my dog. This can be your next song.”
Hmm. Should I write another song or get to work on Chapter 32? Maybe I can do both. After all, every day is Saturday! 😊
Happy writing!
Aud — I know the “I deserve a rest” mindset so well! And “there be dragons ahead” i.e. there be hazards ahead indeed! Partly because it’s true: there WILL be times you need and deserve a rest and you should pay attention to them, without feeling guilt. But also–there are times to get creative and work on that project–like that book that needs to be finished!
I actually have two to-do (or “goals” or “desires”) lists: one for writing-related, one for everything else. Because when it was all one list, the writing got pushed aside to “when I’ve got time after doing everything else.” Which equaled “never.” 🙄 Having TWO lists gives me good reason and impetus to work on both sorts of things!
Working on something else creative can be a great idea. Now I really want to know about that “Lone Sock Song!” You put so much effort into it –and it sounds hilarious! 😊
But…before you work on a song about a whale toy–please DO work on your story, because I want to read that even more than songs about socks or whales! 😊
Hi, Gemma!
I continue to limp toward the finish line with Book 4. I try to put it on my to-do list right after “jog.”
I never thought of making up two lists, though. I’m not sure what you put on your “everything else” list. If that includes housework … well, I’m lazy enough that most times, I don’t even bother adding it—unless I want to replace it with writing. 🤣
No worries about the whale song. I haven’t thought up a tune or possible lyrics for that. Although I’m considering writing one about airing out my marshmallow pumpkins. I like it when they’re stale. 😆