Rakesh Satyal is an Editor at HarperCollins, and his debut novel, BLUE BOY, just went on sale. Chuck Palahniuk said BLUE BOY “shows us a world too funny and sad and sweet to be based on anything but the truth.” Rakesh also happens to be a sensational singer and a hilarious speaker, as the guests at my wedding can attest.
As I am an editor and a writer concurrently, I am often asked one oh-so-popular question: “Do you ever sleep?” The answer is a resounding “Yes,” and on many weekends, the answer is “Yes – several times in a day, and usually with Lime Tostito crumbs from incessant snacking still on my lips and many hours’ worth of (re)watching an America’s Next Top Model marathon in my head.”
But just as I know how to make time for leisure and rest, I make sure I know when my time for work will be, too. The concept of my spending a great deal of time working, period – let alone this much time thinking of literary matters as I work – can cause quite a bit of confusion and incredulity in others, but I assure you that carving out a writing schedule that fits your otherwise busy life is not so daunting as it might seem at first. What you must always remember is the larger purpose of your work, the meaningfulness of your voice, and the characters who convey that voice.
Most writing instructors, and many established authors, extol the benefits of a morning regimen-cum-biological clock approach: you get up, go straight to your computer (or other writing instruments), write a thousand words, and call it a day, with perhaps some revision of those thousand words later in the evening. Unfortunately, not only the mutant pace of my workdays but the ensuing rollercoaster reaction of my body can preclude this sort of schedule from taking root.
Sure, there are weeks when I set the goal of following this biological schedule and pull it off, but the next week, a slew of work events may come up and render me fumbling for keyboard and words alike. What I have come to realize about myself as a writer is that I respond much better to thinking of the scope of a particular scene that I am writing and then envisioning the corresponding manpower that I will need to bring it to life. And then I look for loopholes in my schedule that I can refashion as writing time.
I wrote Blue Boy mainly on the weekends; I would go to a coffee shop that had deep-seated armchairs and reliable outlets, and I would plug in my laptop and set up shop for the afternoon. When I sat down, I had a clear picture of which scene I wanted to write (or resume), and I knew that I wanted to complete a particular emotional arc before I stopped. The rhythm of the main character’s mental pattern was very important to me, and I felt, as I often feel as a reader, that I could not stop living in that scene until it had come to a particularly satisfying emotional point, be it a resolution or a splendidly complicated moment of confusion. I could appreciate the emotional payoff of this stopping point all the more because, beforehand, I had taken into account the time I had to address the work at hand.
Writing is a difficult process, to be sure, and it demands from us determination, a dedication to a larger artistic goal, and, perhaps most of all, the a priori arrangement that our lives, on the whole, will make room for it. To that last end, especially, I am always thinking in the back of my mind, at any given point, when my next available moment for a time to sit down and write may be. I mean “available” not just physically but mentally.
For example, as I expect to expend a great deal of energy promoting Blue Boy during the next month, I have put aside my writing until the first week of June; I know that the headspace I have for writing will be taken up necessarily with concerns pertaining to the book. But I have a firm resolution to pick up where I left off. Once I resume writing, I will go back to plotting my weeks carefully: I will look at my calendar at the beginning of each week and figure out when I might shoehorn in a chance to write.
This process may not adhere to the strictures of a biological clock, but it is my responsibility to make the most creatively of the time that I have left after I do my editorial work professionally. Each of us as writers has a different set of circumstances that defines our emotional and physical wherewithal as artists, but we owe it to our stories and their characters to plot our own time as much as we do theirs.
And believe me – the sense of accomplishment once we’ve done so is astounding, not least because we can subsequently, and deservedly, hoist our salsa-laden chip mouthward and click Tyra’s model antics back on with the press of a button….
Marie Devers says
Thanks for pointing out this:
“I mean “available” not just physically but mentally.”
I often sit in front of the blank screen paralyzed by this idea: “Okay, I’m here. Now what do I do?”
Coming to the blank screen with a concrete idea of what you should be writing is a great tip.
Martin Willoughby says
The biological clock works for some, but I’m with you on this. Write what you can, when you can and focus on the subject in hand.
Yvette Davis says
I tend to write from 8 pm to 10 pm and any other time I can squeeze in. If I’m lucky enough to write during work hours, I can usually get 5k done. But not everybody can write during the day.
Still, I can’t imagine being a high selling writer and sitting down to write 6 hours per day. Maybe that will happen for me, but it would seem very painstaking and forced, I think. I tend to write in bursts, scenes, whenever the insanity strikes.
Scott says
What you must always remember is the larger purpose of your work, the meaningfulness of your voice, and the characters who convey that voice.Brilliant point, here. It is the whole and its necessity (and, at times, urgency) that drives the impetus. After that, it’s being practical with what you can achieve. I tend to jag––day, night, in-between––until I’m beat, but I always have a clear point I want to reach, and usually give myself plenty of day-berth to reach it.
Excellent entry, Nathan, and thank you Rakesh Satyal. I’ll be putting Blue Boy on my to-read list.
reader says
Congrats Rakesh!
Love the title — with a 12 year-old MC, is this for the YA or adult market?
And, um, as an editor, did you rep youself or did you get an agent? And also, how does it feel for an editor to get edited?
Alex Green says
Thanks for this, fellas. It’s great to peek into other’s habits and glean something. Especially in the middle of rewrites.
csmith says
I’m one of the “on the clock” writers (lunch breaks and evenings), but to be honest if I wait for inspiration to strike I’d be still waiting to finish the first chapter.
What I really do find useful is writing down what the next scene/chapter contains after I finish the last one. (Note that I have tended to flail about for a bit so some sort of loose structure is GOOD). One of my friends gave me a lovely moleskine book that I drag everywhere with me. It has about 4 different outlines for the novel I am currently editing, and pages and pages of sentances summarising the scene to come. But hell, it worked!
Because of my insane schedule, I cannot afford to be in the least bit precious about finding *time* to write. If I want to get things done, when I sit down, words MUST come. Even if I plunk out 500 words of dreck (normal word count is about 2k per day), as long as that dreck forwards the story, I’m good. Of course, it means that editing is a bitch, but hey, at least I’m moving forward, albeit slowly!
Strangely I’ve found that just sitting down and opening etherpad puts me in the RIGHT headspace to write. I don’t need to wait for external impetus. I guess that is the joy of an online writing pad, wherever I go, whatever I’m doing, the environment is familiar!
Thank you so much for this post, most interesting. Though I now want lime crisps! Dammit!
Alan Orloff says
I like your concept of “headspace” for writing. That’s a great way to think about it. There’s only so much space/energy/mindpower available and you’ve got to allocate it wisely.
Good luck with BLUE BOY!
Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist! says
Blue Boy sounds like a great novel, I haven’t heard of this before. Writing definitely takes a lot of hard work. I have to work everyday from 8AM to 5pm, but if I have nothing to do, then I like to devote my time to edit my novel, which is almost done (YAY!). I also like to use the weekends to devote my time on writing, too.
Kristi says
Thanks for this thoughtful post, Rakesh. I’ve read about several published authors who woke before dawn for years to write before going to their day jobs. As I have kids who get up between 5:30 and 6am, my natural night owl tendencies have been somewhat curtailed and I’m not sure anything could get me out of bed at 4am (well, maybe if it was on fire – maybe).
However, I do what Rakesh spoke about and every week I plot out times to write in pencil in my day planner (what can I say, I’m old school). It keeps me on track – in the last few weeks I’ve written several novel chapters, 3 picture books, and one and a half short stories. I probably should pick one genre and stick with it, but I figure I can do what I want until I’m published. 🙂
Lisa Schroeder says
Great post, thanks!
I am also primarily a weekend writer who has a day job. I love those Saturday mornings or afternoons where I get lost in the story for a big chunk of time.
Elaine 'still writing' Smith says
Making time to grow as a writer is the challenge; finding minutes or hours to write what you have in your head is easy in comparison.
Tina Lee says
Thank you. I found your comments on making head space for the writing and really sticking with a section until you have accomplished an emotional arc really validating. It is good to have someone articulate so well what I struggle with everyday. Really helpful. Thank you again!!!
Dan says
Hey Nathan,
Maybe you should have author guest posts every day of the week 😉
Nathan Bransford says
Ha. Thanks a lot, Dan.
Vicky says
Everyone is different. Almost 2 years ago, I realized I needed structure. It was too easy to blow off writing for one reason or another. I joined a loop that had only 1 requirement: write 100 words a day. At the time, I was traveling as much as 2 to 3 weeks every month in US & Europe. Starting off w/such a small goal made me feel successful. That led me not to finish the book, win some contests, get several agent requests, and eventually sign w/an agent. I write most nights and am experimenting w/page goals, but when I get really tired, I take a day off. For me, having a set time to write everyday made a big difference.
Davin Malasarn says
Good luck with Blue Boy! I think the key to being successful at managing your time is to really understand your personal working habits. The same formula doesn’t work for everyone, as you mentioned.
serenity says
Incredibly timely post for me. Um, weirdly so. I definitely appreciate it, and I’m looking right now for the shoe horn.
lotusgirl says
Aren’t those lime tostitos the best? Yum! Thanks for stopping by and helping us figure out when to write. I generally do it when I should be sleeping.
Jen P says
“we owe it to our stories and their characters to plot our own time as much as we do theirs.”Great post. Thanks.
Mira says
Regarding what Dan said: Dan, don’t even joke about it.
To Nathan: NO WAY!!!!!!!!!
….there should be a few more exclamation points…maybe 52 million.
Not that this isn’t an interesting post, Rakesh. And congrats on your book! I hope it’s mega-successful.
I like what you are saying about balance and pacing things. Very topical for this week’s discussion.
Mira says
Oh. Speaking of balance,
Come In Character is going to continue.
It will be a collective creative partnership.
I couldn’t be happier – and I’m very grateful to members there.
If you’d like to be a part of that, let me know!
So, busniness as usual there for now.
Rebecca Knight says
I’m like a few of the previous posters–I find I need some structure or I’m a Procrastinator Extraordinarre! But I totally agree with Rakesh about the head space being necessary.
Something I found really helpful to make sure I can pick up where I left off is the rule “never leave off at the end of a scene.” If I sit down at my laptop and have just concluded something, I find I have no clue where to begin.
However, if I have left myself a little prompt by beginning the next scene, I already know the kind of emotions and actions I want to move forward with, and it’s so much easier to get started.
Thanks for the awesome post, Rakesh! Best of luck with BLUE BOY! 🙂
Robin Constantine says
This post made me smile! Awesome.
Wish you much success with Blue Boy. And getting the Tostito crumbs off your carpet, keyboard, or anywhere else you may find them.
Joel Q says
…I knew that I wanted to complete a particular emotional arc before I stopped. The rhythm of the main character’s mental pattern was very important to me, and I felt, as I often feel as a reader, that I could not stop living in that scene until it had come to a particularly satisfying emotional point, be it a resolution or a splendidly complicated moment of confusion…I really like this part.
We have to know how are characters are progressing and why.
Kristin Laughtin says
Thank you for presenting time management issues in a practical and realistic way, especially when you have another job to balance. It’s been peeving me lately to see more comments in general on what you “have” to do to be a (real) writer: write for five hours every night to the exclusion of everything else, sacrifice kittens, etc. I find it quite ridiculous, as there’s an inherent assumption that one method will or should work for everyone.
I like what you said about the scope of the scene. I’ve been taking an either/or approach lately: if I can write the scene in one sitting, I do it. (Usually these are scenes that are 1,000-2,000 words.) If the scene is longer, I often write it over multiple sessions, and try to get at least 1,000 words in per session. What I’ve found most helpful is setting a weekly quota or goal (i.e. “get these three scenes done”). That way, if I’m just swamped for a few days, or just need a mental break to reevaluate, I don’t beat myself up for not meeting an arbitrary goal. I just remember to look for time slots where I can write a little bit more later in the week. The work gets done either way and I go less crazy.
Love the mention of ANTM–I often have it on as background noise when I write.
PurpleClover says
Wow – total out of body experience there. I felt like I was reading my own thoughts. Right down to the America’s Next Top Model (what is my fascination with that show anyway??).
The only thing he got wrong was I don’t like the lime-flavored Tostitos…just plain with guacamole please.
🙂
Oh yeah, and I didn’t write Blue Boy. Some minor differences though. Great post though!!! LOVED it.
Marilyn Peake says
Rakesh Satyal,
Thank you so much for your blog post about writing schedules, and for explaining how you successfully wrote BLUE BOY. (It sounds fascinating, and I ordered a copy immediately.) I’ve heard so many times that you should write at the same time every day, and that you should type words onto a page during that time even if the writing’s bad, but I can’t work that way. I always wondered if I should be working that way. I tend to work around my family’s schedules, while making sure that I have blocks of time for writing when I won’t feel drained. I write best when I know that I’ll have enough mental energy to pour into developing the characters and the next stage of my novel or short story. It was wonderful for me to read about the kind of writing schedule you keep – very inspiring!
I also love that you said, “Writing is a difficult process, to be sure, and it demands from us determination, a dedication to a larger artistic goal, and, perhaps most of all, the a priori arrangement that our lives, on the whole, will make room for it.” I think that the best art always involves “dedication to a larger artistic goal”, and it’s wonderful to hear someone actually say that.
Walter says
Thanks so much for this bit of advice.
TKA says
It’s always interesting to learn what works for others and glean ideas from their writing practices. The bottom line, as we already know, is to find what works for us and do it – adjusting as necessary for the rhythm of all the elements of our lives.
Thanks for the great post and best wished for Blue Boy.
Memoirs of a Bulimic Black Boy says
Thanks for your insightful commentary. As a memoirist I also prefer to sit down with a clear picture of which scene/event I want to write (or resume). If it’s one that is perhaps more emotionally challenging, I make concessions for that. Regarding when to write/edit/rewrite for me it all depends on which one I’m doing. I can write my first draft at a neighborhood bar or coffee shop, conduct my first edit while re-watching a movie/TV show. When it comes to deep rewriting and deep editing an alcohol free quiet space works best.
Beatriz Kim says
Thank you for the timely advice.
The last week, I have been working on a short memoir story. The story is highly emotional and traumatic, making this piece much harder to write than the previous pieces.
I am on the 10th editing round and I feel like my emotional and mental state are going to have a meltdown.
Part of the reason that I’m working harder is that an editor read my blog and is suddenly interested in my “little stories”. It’s great and it’s nerve racking. Now I’m putting significant pressure on myself to write better and faster.
Sorry…I’m blabbing.
The advice to be mentally and physically available is so timely. I’m going to add emotionally available. I’m going to put this advice to use and slow down.
I don’t even know if this story is going to end up in my real memoir. These are just practice stories…for goodness sakes!
Thank you for the timely post. What a relief!
Other Lisa says
ACK!!! Another victim of the evil genius that is Tyra Banks!
Congratulations on Blue Boy, and keep it fierce!
Vancouver Dame says
Thanks to Rakesh for this posting and these comments in particular:
“Writing is a difficult process, to be sure, and it demands from us determination, a dedication to a larger artistic goal, and, perhaps most of all, the a priori arrangement that our lives, on the whole, will make room for it.”
I like the points you make regarding finding that “room” for writing. When we really want something, we can find that time, even if we shuffle other responsibilities. I also use the Moleskine notebooks that someone mentioned in their comments. It’s a great way for me to put bits of writing together, and keep it in one place to use when I do get to that ‘time for writing’. It’s always good to hear how others approach the writing process.
Good Luck, Rakesh, with BLUE BOY.
RW says
I’m always impressed with how seriously the people on this blog take their work, and it’s interesting to see this example of a published novelist discussing his process in the same way.
I’d never heard of the circadian rhythm that some advise, but as it happens it’s nearly exactly the routine I’ve developed. I need to make writing the first thing I do that requires any mental energy. I’m able to drink coffee and read the paper without squandering any mental energy, though, so writing isn’t literally the first thing I do.
I also figured out a trick that Rakesh refers to — knowing before you get to the writing chair what scene you’re going to work on. I try to make up my mind the night before what I’ll be working on the next day. Again, it’s about avoiding anything that might sap the morning’s first mental energy.
Laura D says
Excellent points made by all. I find that for me writing works as an ebb and flow. Weeks at a time, I spend writing daily and then I break for a few. My motto is I play as hard as I work. It tends to keep my juices flowing creatively to leave a scene as a movie in my head for a while and then when I write it all comes out. It also works well for essay writing for me so it’s been a habit for a long time. (I won’t give my actual age, but it’s been a while since I was in school.)
Goal setting helps me too, though. Having a deadline brings out my competitive spirit. Being under pressure gets my emotions stirred up, which in turn helps me write emotional scenes. Sometimes I need to feel along with my characters and get myself into the scene.
Congrats on the book. It sounds interesting.
Yamile says
My story usually follows me throughout the day. I finish a scene, and that night it’s like the next scene unfolds in my mind, and won’t leave alone until I type it into my laptop. During the day, I take notes (of descriptions, dialogs, etc) so the inspiration won’t be lost no matter where I am. I don’t wait to be inspired to write; I do it when I have time, usually after my 4 babies go to bed. Time? Some people ask when they find out I have four young children. Yes, I make the time to write; it’s my personal therapy, my pleasure, so I do it no matter what.
The First Carol says
*Carol brushes the Lime Tostito crumbs off Mr. Satyal straight into her palm, pops them into her mouth and pats his head* Thanks for sharing, always looking for great tidbits. Oh, and I heard from Anne and May the book was on the way, lining up now to read it! Many Congratulations 🙂
The First Carol says
Oh, wow. I just realized the crumbs were on your mouth. I’d never be so impolite to grab your face like that. Kah-hum. I’d attack you with a wet washcloth, wipe thoroughly like anyone old enough to be your mum, then tell you to go to bed. hah!
Anonymous says
UPDATE:
BLUE BOY AMAZON RANK AS OF THIS POSTING:
#3,292 in Books
That’s prtty good isn’t it? Is that good (book’s been out 3 days, paperback)?
Mira says
Rakesh,
I read your article again, and I really like your point about making time for leisure and rest. I feel I do my best work when I’m not pushing myself to my limits. Sometimes my mind needs time to think about nothing, and then things start to germinate…..
Nathan, in reading your introduction, it occured to me that, unlike Rakesh, I was not at your wedding. I just want to point out that I would have been a hilarious speaker. I also would have topped Rakesh, because I would have been a hilarious singer as well.
I’m just saying.
I realize you won’t ever get married again, but you might have a special occasion at some point, like watching T.V. at home on some random night, or cleaning your kitchen floor or something like that.
I’m available, in case you were wondering.
PurpleClover says
Mira-
You seem to back to your ol’ self! Glad you’re feeling better. 🙂
.
Mira says
Oh, I have a question.
Rakesh, did you go through the traditional publishing route – with an agent, etc.? Or did Harper Collins pick you up?
Mira says
P.C.
I got momentarily petrified at the idea of full-time school/work.
Then I had an epiphany. I realized the best way to handle this was to do a terrible job at both of them. I could get a D+ average in my sleep. And who does anything at work other than playing on blogs anyway?
Nothing like a little perspective to help.
Thanks for asking, P.C. 🙂
Btw, when you coming over to play at CIC?
Anonymous says
Mira,
since he’s an editor at Harper Collins, I’m guessing he knew what to do.
Mira says
Well, it wasn’t published by Harper-Collins. And Amazon has some wonderful reviews, so I’ll bet it’s a good book.
What does an editor at a publisher do? Is that a terribly ignorant question?
Samantha Clark says
Thanks for the post, Rakesh, and good luck with Blue Boy. I wrote about this subject a few months ago on my blog. I used to “find” time to write and ended up writing a few days here or there every few months. Finally, I realized that wasn’t working for me and I decided to change the way I was thinking about it and “make” time to write. For the past year, I’ve been setting my alarm for 4 or 5am and getting up as close to that as possible. Many mornings I’m dreary eyed, but by doing this, I managed to finish my novel and do a number of rewrites, so it’s working for me. Although, I do always feel tired and tend to crash when my husband and I are watching late-night movies. Oh well.
PurpleClover says
Mira –
I don’t even have time for the blogging and commenting I do…lol.
BTW- what is your focus for grad school?
Anonymous says
It’s best to write every day. If you have to work a day job, which most of us do, then you’re either going to be writing early AM if you’re a morning type, or late night if you’re a night owl. I’m a night owl. Then weekends are family time.
To write only weekends, if you ask me, is not enough time to fully develop your craft. You want to go for it every day–begin by reivewing and self-editing what you’ve written the previous day, then continue on with new stuff.
Amazon # in 3,000’s i smighty good, but the whole Amazon ranking system would make for a good post topic in and of itself, right?
Mira says
P.C.
Really? Time’s an issue? Hadn’t thought of that. 🙂
Social Work. Partly because it’s my field, and partly because if I write a couple books I have in mind, an M.A. would give me more legitimacy.