Wise words again, from Chris Baty, the founder of NaNoWriMo.

“Here’s the thing: However attractive the idea of a writer’s retreat may sound, having all day to poke around on a novel actually hampers productivity.”

When you find yourself having nothing to do but write, sometimes the last thing you may want to do is write.

“A rough draft is best written in the steam cooker of an already busy life. If you have a million things to do, adding item #1,000, 001 is not such a big deal.”

“It may feel frustrating at first, but having daily writing periods curtailed by chores family, and other distractions actually helps you get things done. This is partially because the hectic pace forces you to type with a fleet-fingered desperation. But it’s mostly because novelizing in the midst of a chaotic life makes “book time” a treat rather than an obligation. It’s a small psychological shift, but it makes all the difference in the world.”

Excerpts from Chris Baty’s new revised edition of No Plot? No Problem!