How do you transition in and out of your writing cave?

It’s Friday again, friends! I’m just so glad we get one of these babies every week.

Today, while you’re responding to this panel question, I’ll be teaching a teen writing track at a conference in southern California and I can’t help but feel like I’m taking you all with me. I learn so much from you guys and I hope you know how grateful I am for that.

We’re continuing our summer panel series this morning and if you’re just popping in, here’s how it works. Jill, Steph and I are answering writing-related questions–just as if we’re sitting on a panel at a writing conference–and we hope you’ll take the time to answer the question as well.

Not well. This is a challenge for me. When I’m writing, I want to be writing and doing nothing else (except drinking coffee!). And when I’m with my family, I want to give them my undivided attention. The hardest part is not my physical presence, it’s my mental presence. Sometimes my brain is all story and I’m supposed to be at a football game for my son. Sometimes my brain is all football (a lot of the time, actually) and I’m supposed to be writing a book. Sticking to a schedule and protecting it fiercely is the best way for me to manage daily transitions.

It’s not easy for me, either. Though, once upon a time, I did write like Stephanie—when my kids were all napping at once. So, I think you learn to cope with the schedule life hands you. I’ve been working on establishing a writing routine, so that when I do have time to write, going through the motions will help me get into the groove faster. I wrote a Go Teen Writers post on this subject. Click here to read it.

For me, a lot of it is just habit. For years I’ve been in the habit of having designated writing time. Which means that when Eli goes down for a nap, or when grandparents come over to play with the kids, I automatically head to my office to write. And because I know that writing time is over when Eli wakes up or grandparents needs to leave, I’m able to focus really well. I think that’s a perk of having very limited time in which do your work.