Writing Solar | Inspiring the Aspiring‪.‬ Dwight Vallen

Finding the time to write consistently can be a pain. That is why I believe structuring my life around writing was the best move I have made. If you are anything like me, with an 8 to 5 job, wife, two beautiful kids and your time is being consumed elsewhere.

Finding time to write and edit your novel can be difficult, but it does not have to be.
I had no idea how the hell I was going to finish a novel in 30 days.

So I took a step back took a deep breath in - and deep breath out and got strategic about it.
Whenever I start to feel overwhelmed with a problem I love removing myself from it and examining the source of the problem. In this case, it is time.

When's the last time you made a schedule for yourself and followed it?
Before I started writing I never really had a schedule.
So I TOOK out a piece a paper and spent an hour writing all the task I did ritually, throughout the day, along with the time that I do them. Pretty simple right.

I then spent the rest of the day verifying those task when I did them. Working, driving home, picking my daughter up, cleaning, and leisures like playing dragon ball z and watching Hannibal.
Guess what happened. I realized that including my leisure time I had eight extra hours of time that could be spent pursuing what I enjoyed most. Telling stories. Eight fucking hours. That is crazy. That is a work day.

Lets put it into perspective before I let you go. I wake up at 5 am to work on my projects I work my day job from 8-5. It takes about an hour for me to get home and unwind to play with the kids, you know enjoying the family stuff. Between 6 pm and 11 pm, I am creating and putting in the work that will one day reward me with the reality and life I desire the most. Then I do it all over again the next day.

When you create this new schedule around your life. Take your time to ease into it. No one is perfect so if you get thrown off don't quit. React appropriately and adjust.

Question of the day. How much time do you have set aside to write? Tweet using the hashtag #WritingSolar

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During my 30 days to a novel challenge, there were times where I wanted to write but could not even open my computer. I was thinking too much about the actual writing instead of writing.
One of the CONS of being a creative writer is sometimes we tend to think too much which leads to overthinking.

My overthinking lead to anxiety, which made a part of me want to stop and give up. Now your reason for giving up may be different Not enough time, Fear of rejection, Writer's Block, Not knowing where to start Whatever it is you need first to ask yourself this one question. Is it worth it?

Is writing your book worth it, If it is not maybe you should quit.
If it is worth it, let's step back for a moment and examine the issue.
Why don't you have enough time? Are there leisure that can be replaced with writing time. You may need to sacrifice game of thrones. If you have a fear of rejection, ask yourself why?

Why is someone else's opinion keeping you from being the best you can be? You have the right to fail, but you also have a right to grow. That will never happen if you do not finish.
From writer to writer I want to say to you that if this is what you want to do then you have what it takes and I believe in you.
Take action

Stop overthinking and write. I'll write with you.

Question of the day. Are you writing for yourself or is it for someone else? Tweet using the hashtag #WritingSolar

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First, let us define Character development: Character development refers to the process of creating a believable character in fiction by giving the character depth and personality.
I Create visual placeholders. (Grab an image off google of something that best resembles the appearance of MY character.) I usually have a general idea in my head.

Write a 500-word backstory of my characters life in the story. (It will help me visualize the character inside the story I am writing and create a place for their existence.)
Create a list of physical attributes of my character. (Will help me introduce the character in the story)

Create connections between other characters in the story & summarize the beginning, middle, and end of their relationship. (Very useful for creating subplots)
Get to know the character by asking questions. (Not simple questions like where are you from, age or favorite color.)

If there were anything my character would die for what would it be?
What bad habits does the character have?
What do I admire about the character?
What do I hate most about the character?
What do I love most about the character?
What does the character think about the world they perceive.
These are the questions you want to ask.

BONUS #1 Read over the backstory and choose personality traits from Norman Anderson's likeableness ratings of personality traits list. (Subscribe to mailing list) Understanding the characters personality traits can only enhance the believability when you write them.

BONUS #2 You can also you use family and friends as templates when it comes to their personality.
This is the easy part the challenge is weaving in these details into the story, which is always exciting!

The question of the day. How do you currently develop your characters? Tweet using the hashtag #WritingSolar https://goo.gl/KxHp02


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How I Find Time To Write Consistently & How You Can Too.
This past Friday I burned myself out and didn't have a chance to write Sunday. I was upset, but I knew it would not do me any good pondering on it so I skipped what I could not do at the moment and came back later replenished.

Over the past days I finished up Act 2, and I am ready to kill Act 3!

Finding time to write consistently.
1. Find an undisturbed area in the home to write.
2. Schedule a time to write.
3. Make that writing time a routine.
4. Make it a goal to write at least 500 words a day.

The question of the day. Do you see yourself writing over the next century? If not what do you see yourself doing?
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So how do you stay focused on writing your novel? Easy..
1.Make the decision if writing a novel is what you REALLY want to do.
2. Prioritize your schedule. Make writing your #1 priority after your health and well-being of your family.
3. Create writing goals and tell the world what you are doing.
4. Create deadlines out of those goals.
5. Writing every day and being accountable.
6. BONUS: Outlining.

Day 14 of 30 Days to a Novel, chapter 15. Oliver and Sydney of Muda Squad 5 are trespassing on the planet after going to Earth for a rescue mission and will be tried for death.

The question of the day. Do you outline? If not why not
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What do you when your story is rejected and the editor tears it apart? Day 9 of 30 days to a novel. Today I wrote 1100 words out of the 1500 words I set out to accomplish. I also discuss overcoming the setback of sleeping when you are trying to eat the frog. Having a dynamic schedule is imperative as a writer.
Also why the fuck did Sara not mention, Gavin was the Captain stuck on planet Earth?


The question of the day. Do you outline? If not why not?
Tweet me using the hashtag #WritingSolar https://ctt.ec/0BLkQ

Subscribe to this Podcast
www.writingsolar.com
https://twitter.com/dwightvallen
Follow Instagram Stories @DwightVallen
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