I resonate with this wholeheartedly. I'm a mum with two toddlers. I have just finished the first draft of my first book and currently editing. I do not get the quiet and solitude others tout to get it done but I make it work ☺️
Hey, how are you feeling about editing? For a while I noticed so many articles talk about the importance of getting words on the page and not worrying about perfection until you edit, but I WAS and am editing, and that sort of “need” for perfect can mean slow editing.
My “solution” to that concept is to remind myself there is no perfect, as my husband wisely said, and to just keep editing almost daily this summer with the goal of the book being ready for querying. Last year I said to just keep editing and it wasn’t done yet, but that’s how long it feels like the book needed for me to edit each scene. Do you know what I mean?
Editing is slow for me too but am also trying to keep in mind that it won't be perfect and it doesn't need to be when I send it to an editor. The editor should provide more pointed and specific advice for what is worth editing and spending time on fixing.
I applaud this great attitude! I found out while editing this particular book that I am a perfectionist. When I realized, the way I studied in school made even more sense. It’s so important not to aim for perfection. Good reminder, thank you!
Love these thoughts on avoiding perfectionism! It's very freeing to realize that it's impossible to write a perfect book. (My dad always tells me when he finds typos in mine lol.)
I feel you on editing, though. I love editing, and I'd probably keep doing it forever if I could. I find that having other people expecting a draft from me, whether that's beta readers or an editor, is very helpful!
Congrats on finishing your draft! That's such a huge achievement.
I *do* think that in a few years more hours of quiet and solitude will return, and not having had them for so long will make them feel much more valuable. But I love the community of parent writers loudly sharing that the idea of the writer locked away getting everything done while someone else handles the day to day life is just not feasible.
And I think most of us don't want that, either! Personally, I love spending time with my kids and writing, and I love having time for both in a day. (I don't love cleaning the bathrooms, so that comes last on the list and gets ignored for as long as possible.)
I'm so glad you found it comforting and encouraging! I heard someone once call goals like this "better than nothing" goals, and I found that very freeing. 😆
Thank you for sharing this! I have been editing my novel In Your Dreams for years and, after it received some rejections, got feedback on the entire manuscript in 2016 from a writer/editor I trust.
I’ve been applying edits since then and really want to submit it to literary agents this year, so I made a goal to work on it every day this summer, even if it’s only for a little bit each day, and knowing it’s okay to miss a day sometimes. I’m SO eager to get it moving and share it.
Your newsletter taps into some of the key mindsets that help someone to write a book or commit to exercising regularly or whatever the healthy goal may be. That’s why I enjoy reading your newsletter. Thank you!
I think that idea of doing a little bit every day (or most days) is so helpful — it can keep your brain in the project, so you figure things out even when you're not specifically working on it.
It really is! It's amazing how much writing she's done with little kids — and that it doesn't seem like a joyless grind, the way so much productivity advice does
I think so much of both productivity advice AND parenting advice can feel joyless. And why would we want that for ourselves? Or to model that for our kids?!
Can very much relate! Dad with aspirations of writing a book/essays, and also putting out a dad-focused newsletter. I struggle with consistency, but as you point out, it's the average of 300 (or whatever target) that matters. Not being "perfect" every day. This reminds me to practice what I preach to my kids, which is "practice makes progress, not perfect." Thanks for sharing!
so glad this was helpful for you! and the "practice what you preach" thing is so real--I often find myself having to say the same things to myself that I say to my kids!
I resonate with this wholeheartedly. I'm a mum with two toddlers. I have just finished the first draft of my first book and currently editing. I do not get the quiet and solitude others tout to get it done but I make it work ☺️
Hey, how are you feeling about editing? For a while I noticed so many articles talk about the importance of getting words on the page and not worrying about perfection until you edit, but I WAS and am editing, and that sort of “need” for perfect can mean slow editing.
My “solution” to that concept is to remind myself there is no perfect, as my husband wisely said, and to just keep editing almost daily this summer with the goal of the book being ready for querying. Last year I said to just keep editing and it wasn’t done yet, but that’s how long it feels like the book needed for me to edit each scene. Do you know what I mean?
How is it going for you, and others here?
Editing is slow for me too but am also trying to keep in mind that it won't be perfect and it doesn't need to be when I send it to an editor. The editor should provide more pointed and specific advice for what is worth editing and spending time on fixing.
I applaud this great attitude! I found out while editing this particular book that I am a perfectionist. When I realized, the way I studied in school made even more sense. It’s so important not to aim for perfection. Good reminder, thank you!
And GOOD LUCK! Exciting!
Love these thoughts on avoiding perfectionism! It's very freeing to realize that it's impossible to write a perfect book. (My dad always tells me when he finds typos in mine lol.)
I feel you on editing, though. I love editing, and I'd probably keep doing it forever if I could. I find that having other people expecting a draft from me, whether that's beta readers or an editor, is very helpful!
Woohoo! You are doing it! 🎉
Congrats on finishing your draft! That's such a huge achievement.
I *do* think that in a few years more hours of quiet and solitude will return, and not having had them for so long will make them feel much more valuable. But I love the community of parent writers loudly sharing that the idea of the writer locked away getting everything done while someone else handles the day to day life is just not feasible.
And I think most of us don't want that, either! Personally, I love spending time with my kids and writing, and I love having time for both in a day. (I don't love cleaning the bathrooms, so that comes last on the list and gets ignored for as long as possible.)
A plan is not a prison ❤️
such a helpful frame 🤩
As anyone with kids knows! 😉 There's no such thing as a plan that doesn't change.
🤯 I love how practical-but-gentle this is! And this book series sounds great.
Practical but gentle is such a great way to put it!
That's such a kind way to phrase it, thank you!
Thank *you*! I love the paragraph-outline idea.
This feels so comforting and creates a lot of room for possibility.
I’m so glad! I think the world of productivity advice can be so intense and shaming—and I love Katharine’s approach, which is so warm and encouraging.
I'm so glad you found it comforting and encouraging! I heard someone once call goals like this "better than nothing" goals, and I found that very freeing. 😆
Really helpful!
so glad, Amy! (and I hope your book is going well!)
Thank you for sharing this! I have been editing my novel In Your Dreams for years and, after it received some rejections, got feedback on the entire manuscript in 2016 from a writer/editor I trust.
I’ve been applying edits since then and really want to submit it to literary agents this year, so I made a goal to work on it every day this summer, even if it’s only for a little bit each day, and knowing it’s okay to miss a day sometimes. I’m SO eager to get it moving and share it.
Your newsletter taps into some of the key mindsets that help someone to write a book or commit to exercising regularly or whatever the healthy goal may be. That’s why I enjoy reading your newsletter. Thank you!
I think that idea of doing a little bit every day (or most days) is so helpful — it can keep your brain in the project, so you figure things out even when you're not specifically working on it.
Love this: "even if it's only for a little bit every day." A little bit still counts, in so many areas of life! It's important to remember.
As someone in that early phase - young kids and writing my first book - it’s helpful to see the journey others have taken before. Thanks!
It really is! It's amazing how much writing she's done with little kids — and that it doesn't seem like a joyless grind, the way so much productivity advice does
I think so much of both productivity advice AND parenting advice can feel joyless. And why would we want that for ourselves? Or to model that for our kids?!
Love this practical advice!
It's so helpful, right?
I'm so glad to know it resonated with you!
Can very much relate! Dad with aspirations of writing a book/essays, and also putting out a dad-focused newsletter. I struggle with consistency, but as you point out, it's the average of 300 (or whatever target) that matters. Not being "perfect" every day. This reminds me to practice what I preach to my kids, which is "practice makes progress, not perfect." Thanks for sharing!
so glad this was helpful for you! and the "practice what you preach" thing is so real--I often find myself having to say the same things to myself that I say to my kids!
well, this was inspiring.
- signed single and childless, yet still bookless
so glad it was inspiring! (and for the record, it’s not like people w/kids have a lock on all the life things that make writing hard!)