February 2010 Archives

Over the years I've amassed several bookcases of 'How to Write' guidebooks. Books with titles like 'So You Want To Be A Writer?' or 'Writing: A Step by Step Guide'. Generally they've all been very helpful. But there seems to be a gaping hole in an otherwise chock-full marketplace for a book that gets into logistics. Maybe it should be called the logistical guide to writing. Or the 'I work full-time so how do I fit in my novel?' guide to writing. Exercises designed to drag inspiration out of the daily grind are all very well. But can someone please tell me how to build a writing career amidst the metropolis that is my 9-5 job, mountains of housework, kids' schedules, husband's workload, overflowing inbox, etc etc etc??

I haven't arrived at this destination yet, but I'm on my way. If I ever get there, I shall write a book called something along the lines of 'The Mum's Guide to Writing'. There may well be a few writing exercises in there, but, more helpfully, there will be practical stuff. Like, here's how to write despite the demands of domesticity (get a cleaner). Like, here's how to write despite spending all day, every day, running from pillar to post (learn to write while running). But I'm curious to know how other people do it. If a book ever hits Amazon on how other successful writers managed to carve their profession into the rockface of the quotidian, I'll be buying it. Until then, I've a long way to go....

Have you heard Oh My God, Charlie Darwin by The Low Anthem? Maybe you'd like to.