a v a
asked
Issabelle Perry:
Hey Issabelle! I hope you don't mind another question from me ;) I was just wondering, how do you balance writing and school? Like, aren't you tired from going to school all day, then having homework to do? How do you manage to keep your mind alive and functioning to be able to come up with fantastic ideas for intriguing plots? Wow, just realized how crazy that sounds. I do tend to be quite dramatic sometimes....
Issabelle Perry
Hey, Ava! *waves* Oh, girl, of course, I don't mind!! I love to get questions!!! Ooo that is a FANTASTIC question!!! And to be entirely honest with you, it's not easy one bit. For every writer, it's going to vary the best way to balance school and writing, but I've been trying to find the way that works best for me for over a year now. This is what I've done, and maybe it'll give you some ideas!
The first thing is I had to give myself a LOT of grace. College requires a lot of energy and time from me right now, and this is something I just have to do, so it's okay if I don't manage to write every day or I take longer than wanted to complete a project. This is definitely the hardest thing I've had to do, to accept that there are things I can't control and that it's okay.
Secondly, I listened in on this awesome webinar one time about mental energy. After that, I realized my mind is most active in the mornings and I can get a lot done. I'd been trying for the past two semesters to get into a schedule to write in the evenings after school, but I was so exhausted and tired that I ended up watching videos on my computer or reading a book than actually writing. While some people might be great at writing at night, I wasn't. So instead of trying to change me, I thought it would be easier to change my schedule. I realized I was wasting about two to three hours in the evenings trying to write and failing. What if I went to bed earlier and got up two hours early? That time in the morning would be my time to write. That's what's helped me the most. My mental energy is at its highest and so is my creativity. And I don't feel guilty about writing since I'm not in my "school time" yet.
Finally, I also understood that I just didn't have the energy to push myself like I was doing, so I've been trying to take a day in the week (usually Sundays) to recuperate my energy and do something I enjoy. Like reading a book. I guess this is what helps keep my mind alive. XD
In the end, what works for every writer will be different, but I think it's important to find that balance. Because life will always throw something to hinder our writing time. But taking time to write is important, and I don't believe it's something that should sit on the back burner until after school. I just recommend to make writing time for yourself. That's what's helped me the most. Maybe instead of watching TV you write? Or spend that time on social media to get a couple of hundred words in? And just for some encouragement, you might not find the best schedule right away, and that's okay too!!! I recommend trying different things until you find what works best!!! It's taken me over a year but I'm finally finding the as-close-as-it's-gonna-get-to-perfect balance. I hoped this helps, and if you have any more questions just let me know!!! Keep writing!! You've got this!!!!
The first thing is I had to give myself a LOT of grace. College requires a lot of energy and time from me right now, and this is something I just have to do, so it's okay if I don't manage to write every day or I take longer than wanted to complete a project. This is definitely the hardest thing I've had to do, to accept that there are things I can't control and that it's okay.
Secondly, I listened in on this awesome webinar one time about mental energy. After that, I realized my mind is most active in the mornings and I can get a lot done. I'd been trying for the past two semesters to get into a schedule to write in the evenings after school, but I was so exhausted and tired that I ended up watching videos on my computer or reading a book than actually writing. While some people might be great at writing at night, I wasn't. So instead of trying to change me, I thought it would be easier to change my schedule. I realized I was wasting about two to three hours in the evenings trying to write and failing. What if I went to bed earlier and got up two hours early? That time in the morning would be my time to write. That's what's helped me the most. My mental energy is at its highest and so is my creativity. And I don't feel guilty about writing since I'm not in my "school time" yet.
Finally, I also understood that I just didn't have the energy to push myself like I was doing, so I've been trying to take a day in the week (usually Sundays) to recuperate my energy and do something I enjoy. Like reading a book. I guess this is what helps keep my mind alive. XD
In the end, what works for every writer will be different, but I think it's important to find that balance. Because life will always throw something to hinder our writing time. But taking time to write is important, and I don't believe it's something that should sit on the back burner until after school. I just recommend to make writing time for yourself. That's what's helped me the most. Maybe instead of watching TV you write? Or spend that time on social media to get a couple of hundred words in? And just for some encouragement, you might not find the best schedule right away, and that's okay too!!! I recommend trying different things until you find what works best!!! It's taken me over a year but I'm finally finding the as-close-as-it's-gonna-get-to-perfect balance. I hoped this helps, and if you have any more questions just let me know!!! Keep writing!! You've got this!!!!
More Answered Questions
Ry
asked
Issabelle Perry:
The only book that I know you're writing is Heir to His Crown... What else are you working on?
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