Q&A with Glenn Cheney discussion

Glenn Alan Cheney is a professional writer. He works at it all day, every day. He has taught writing at Fairfield University, Connecticut College, Albertus Magnus College, and Three Rivers Community College. In this discussion he shares thoughts on how to write, how to find and use inspiration, how to get around "writers block," and anything else that fellow writers would like to talk about.

How did you get to the point where you could write "all day, every day?" I have to plan my writing around my regular day job and at times it seems hopeless to think I can do it all. Thanks.

Yes, it seems we're alway writing around other jobs. I sort of exaggerate when I say all day, every day. When something has to be done (go to the PO, pick up the kid, go to the bank, go fix the car, whatever, I'm the one who has to do it. (My wife's work pays money, so I'd rather have her keep at it.) But on the other hand, I'm writing even when I'm driving a car or taking a nap. Always thinking about something, sometimes directly related to what I'm writing, sometimes a wandering of the mind that might relate to something I write.

You're actually lucky to have a job that pays money and also the desire to write. If you didn't have a job, you'd always be writing to make money *(and damned little of it). I say set a schedule that cannot be interrupted, which probably means a few hours well before dawn. Make ti an unbreakable habit. Do it Saturday and Sunday, too. The pages will add up quick.

Thanks for the advice. I don't have kids so I think I can set my writing time for the evening (I have getting up early issues that I seem unable to deal with). Actually, the weekend is the time I could do a lot more writing.

I suppose evenings will work as well as mornings. I think it helps a lot to write every day, even on weekends, and at the same time of day, so your brain is kind of ready for it.