10 strategies for weathering that all-consuming draft.

Or, how this author maintains any semblance of her sanity.

Mattakeese Wharf, Barnstable, MA

So it’s been a while, huh? Apologies and such. I don’t even have a good excuse as to why it’s taken me so long to construct a newsletter. My honest answer? I never know what to write in one of these.

Authors are told time and time again that newsletters are the best way to engage with their audience, and I’m not questioning that. If you’ve taken the time to sign up for my newsletter, I’m sincerely grateful you’re here. You’re a dedicated bunch, and I’m lucky to have you. But in truth, I never know what to write in these. Do you want tips and tricks about writing? I feel like that’s a few of you, but not all. Want to hear when my next book is coming out? Get ready for an answer you might not love: I can’t tell you yet. But I’m writing it! And it’s contracted! And it’s in the world of Witty in Pink! So you can have that. Want to know more about my personal life? Heh. I don’t share a lot about my personal goings on, but I guess I can give it a go?

I’ve been neck-deep in drafting this next book, and I figured now might be the perfect time to pull the curtain aside and show you just how I manage drafting a book on deadline. Or least how I’ve managed it this time around. I’m sure many of you have heard me say that each book is different; the circumstances, the drafting process, the general vibe. Therefore, how I approach writing each book will vary. But here we go!

Here are ten strategies and supports I’ve employed while drafting on deadline:

1. Sprinting in short spurts.

Keep the sprints short, I tell you. Twenty minutes is my sweet spot, but I’ve gone for as long as a half hour, and as short as ten minutes (the micro sprint). I’ve discovered that when trying to get words down on the page, I tend to be more focused and productive in shorter sprints. Give me twenty minutes, and I can give you 300 words. Give me an hour? I’ll also probably give you 300 words. And some doomscrolling, some wandering into the kitchen for a snack, some laundry, and a handful of videos of Tom Hardy playing with puppies (you’re welcome). Give the short sprints a try and see if it improves your wordcount. Also, give yourself some grace. Your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect, it simply has to exist. You can fix it during revisions.

2. The Wheel of Destiny.

Stick with me on this one. I have a wonderful group of talented, generous writer friends with whom I sprint. Thriller author Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau and I have come up with a specific tool to help us maintain accountability and, you know, actually draft our contracted books. Enter the Wheel of Destiny (cue wide eyes and mystified “ooohs” and “ahhhs”). You can make your own Wheel of Destiny on wheelofnames.com (a tool I used quite frequently as a middle school English teacher, as well). Below is a screenshot of ours. Each writing session, we spin the wheel and get a number of minutes. Our minute options are 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30. Anything over 30, we found, was far too long, and less than 10 wasn’t enough time to ease into our writing. We’ve also included other events to break up our day: a wedge on the wheel prompts one of us to read a page from our writing out loud. Another asks us to offer up a positive affirmation about our writing or the process. Make your wheel work for you! It’s a great way to structure your writing session while still maintaining that thrilling element of surprise.

3. Accountability.

I wish it weren’t true. I wish wholeheartedly that I was able to write as productively and for just as long when I’m writing by myself as I do when I’m writing with friends, but it’s simply not true. Having accountability buddies is perhaps the best part of my writing day. Not only does it keep me honest about what I’m doing with my time, but sometimes you need a friend to bounce ideas off of, tell them cute stories about your pet, complain about the neighbors. We may be writers, but we’re still human, after all.

4. Comfy clothes.

When you find your writing uniform, make sure you get it in every color. Admittedly, I cannot write in my pajamas. That’s a little too comfy. When I get up in the morning, after I walk and feed the dog, do my meditations and journaling, my workout, and take my shower, I put on the writing uniform. That is to say, a pair of leggings from Athleta and an oversized t-shirt from Cuffy’s. If you’re visiting Cape Cod this summer, just go to Cuffy’s. Stock up. Once the uniform is on, I know it’s time to get down to business. Yes, it’s comfortable, and not so structured as to cut off my circulation, thus my creativity. You get it.

Fine, you caught me, this t-shirt isn’t from Cuffy’s. It’s from the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, MA, and all proceeds to go to marine research and rescue! You can’t go wrong.

5. Invaluable writing companion.

Sorry, group. This one’s mine. But hey, if you enjoy having your work interrupted by being nudged endlessly for snuggles, walks, cookies, and dinner, by all means, adopt yourself a German Shepherd. Worth the investment, trust me.

The guilt trip.

6. Dense bean salad.

Bet you didn’t think this newsletter would come with a recipe, but it’s your lucky day! There is nothing I hate more than: 1. Thinking about what to make for lunch and 2. Actually making lunch. Enter the dense bean salad! I’m the kind of person who does not view salad as a punishment. I love salad. I love all kinds of salad. And I especially love a salad I can prep on Sunday afternoon and have it sit in the fridge, ready and waiting for me during the week. It’s fresh, filling, and packed with nutrients. Dense bean salad recipe at the bottom of the newsletter.

7. Maintaining a reading schedule.

Since leaving teaching, I have not read nearly as much as I used to, and quite honestly, I’ve been in a slump since January. Lately, I’ve been making sure to fit in at least fifteen minutes of reading before going to sleep, and it’s improved my writing greatly. I’m thrilled to inform you that I’ve broken my reading slump! My latest read is, as always, included toward the end of this newsletter. Just a friendly reminder:

You’re still a reader if…

• You don’t read every day.

• You’re in a reading slump.

• You DNF a book that simply isn’t for you.

• You listen to audiobooks.

8. Ending my writing session in the middle of a scene.

This piece of advice was generously offered to me by middle grade author, Alysa Wishingrad. Thanks, Alysa! At the end of the day, when I’ve hit my writing goal, I attempt to end in the middle of a scene. This allows me to reengage with my writing more quickly the next day. I don’t have to start from scratch, I don’t need to come up with some clever way to open a chapter. I’m in the middle of the action I began yesterday, and it’s just the boost I need to jumpstart my writing for the morning. Once I’m going, that new chapter beginning doesn’t appear quite as daunting.

9. Get up and out of the house.

I cannot sit in front of my computer screen all day. I will lose it. Getting up and going for a walk has been an integral part of my routine, and I cannot recommend it enough. I’m lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, so the possibilities for walks are endless. There have been times while writing where I can feel the anxiety building because a scene isn’t working, or I’m not sure how to fix a problem I’ve written myself into. A walk, miraculously, cures all this. I go for the walk, I take in the beach plums, the marsh, the sea, and I come back refreshed and with a new perspective. Of course, there are rainy days, and those terribly cold, gray days in February where going for a walk somewhat loses its appeal, and for those times, my treadmill does the trick. It’s not preferable, but it works.

Nauset Marsh

10. Finally, ask for help when you need it.

I get stuck inside my head a great deal (while writing and in life, generally speaking). I envision a scene, I begin writing it, and recognize that it doesn’t work, but at that point, I can’t figure out what my characters can do that’s different than what I’ve already brainstormed. Ever been there? The worst. But asking for help, bouncing ideas off an author friend, is a simple and underrated way to get out of your own thoughts. It’s amazing to me how different people can see the same situation so differently, how they can manufacture new possibilities out of thin air.

What are some of the things that help you through drafting, writerly friends?

And to end, as always, what’s bringing me joy lately: volunteering. When I was a full time teacher, I had no time to volunteer. By the time I came home from work, I was exhausted, had to care for the dog, still needed to write, make my dinner, clean up my dinner, pack my lunch for the following day, relax for a minute (hah), and go to bed only to wake up at 5am the next morning and start all over again. And weekends were packed with the chores I couldn’t get to during the week, more writing, and maybe if I was lucky, seeing friends and family. Now that my life is more my own, I have time for things like volunteering, and it has been the highlight of my year. The feeling of making a difference, learning new skills, and meeting all kinds of new friends is remarkable each day.

Current read: Divine Rivals by, Rebecca Ross

And finally, what Arrow’s been up to: A little slower, a little grayer, but still my best friend. Good boy.

Until next time, readers. xo Erica

Dense Bean Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 can garbanzo beans

• 1 can cannellini beans

• 1 can red beans

• 1 red onion (chopped)

• 1 English cucumber (chopped)

• 1 cup green olives (chopped)

• ½ cup banana peppers (chopped)

• Any protein you like (chopped)

Directions:

1. Drain and rinse all your beans, then add them to a large salad bowl.

2. Chop your veggies, add them, too.

3. Chop your protein (if using), add it, too.

4. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic powder,

   and Italian seasoning to taste.

5. Mix well and enjoy!