I'll admit that when I hear a snowstorm is coming, I don't run out and fill my car with gas or race to the grocery store. Instead, I get all of my writing tools in order and anxiously await being stuck inside with my muse. You may even hear me shout, "YAY!"
While I've found bad weather can result in productive writing days, too many of these days can be frustrating. Not all of my writing process happens here at my desk.
I NEED to go to the library to do research or to pick up the stack of books that I've placed on hold. Not being able to do research can hold up a project which can be an even bigger problem if that project has a deadline.
Not being able to meet with fellow writers is especially frustrating when you're in need of feedback or you're looking forward to brainstorming on a manuscript. Even more important, you miss the support of others.
RESEARCH
I've found some ways to stay productive even when Mother Nature gets in the way.
There are many picture books that are read aloud on YouTube, so if it's a mentor text that's holding you up, do a search and chances are the author, a teacher, or a librarian has made a video. This was especially helpful when I recently wrote a new manuscript and found out there was already a book similar to what I wrote. I was able to find out exactly how similar it was by viewing it on YouTube. I also use Google Book Search a lot. It can be very helpful with research and keeping me moving forward with a project until I can get to the bookstore or the library.
WRITE-IN
If bad weather is getting in your way of meeting with fellow writing buddies, we can always find each other online. But we know when we meet in person it results in a pretty darn productive day. Consider scheduling a write-in. Plan on being online at a certain time of the day, say from 9 a.m. until noon, which could be the time and day you all normally meet. Everyone writes or brainstorms from 9 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at which time everyone checks in with each other and shares what they've accomplished. You have 15 minutes to read and comment on each other's work. Then the cycle begins again at 10 a.m. and continues until noon.
REWARD
Make a deal with yourself. Promise to stay off of social media for a set amount of time and write, research, accomplish something on your to-do list. When you've completed what you've set out to do, reward yourself. It might be a special snack or drink, or it could be phone call to catch up with a friend, or I like to reward myself with reading time used strictly for enjoyment.
With each day that passes I know that warm sunny days are drawing nearer. But with that comes less writing time. Things like gardening, beach days, picnics, softball games, and barbeques fill the calendar. I look forward to spring but embrace what winter has to offer and right now that seems to lots of time to write!
