I can completely relate to your “non-linear” process! I’m the same way!

What I’ve been doing lately is paying attention to what works – what are the times that I can sit down and just write? For me, it’s often later in the evening and sitting in my favorite Greek restaurant or coffee shop works wonders – I suddenly become prolific!

Try as I might, I just can’t seem to replicate that creative energy in my office or at home – too many other things pulling at my attention, I guess.

So why fight it??!

Like you, I’m just going with it.
Let me know how it turns out for you!

Wow, this is a great idea…

The image of the author with the gun to her head… it’s true that might not inspire confidence among readers, but it certainly will get their attention and generate empathy.

Balancing all the competing priorities is nearly impossible today, but must be even harder for a writer who manages her own creative and productive schedule. When I worked on my PhD dissertation, I rented a separate apartment (or went to cafe or quiet place) and pretended that I was going to a regular job. Even if I could do that for a few hours per day, I found that eventually I got it done. The trick is to put on the manager’s hat and break large jobs down into smaller tasks, and then to put on the writer’s hat and just get down to writing each section. At least it worked for me. Of course, I owe it all to coffee, nicotine (I’ve quit since), good music, and people who tolerated me loafing about and writing for a few years.

Susan, can’t you create a wiki, and let all your insightful friends write the book with you? They’d get it done in a few weeks, and all you’d have to do is thank them in the acknowledgements page.