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Get
P ub l ish e d !
Regardless of how portable you like to be, it’s nice to have a comfortable writing space awaiting your return home. You’ll be more apt to want to sit down and get to work if you have an inviting space in which to write and a quiet, out-of-the-way area to keep you focused. Ideally, you should set aside an entire room as your office, preferably one with a door, so that you can shut out distractions while you work— and shut in the mess that you don’t want disturbed when you leave. If you can’t afford to devote a whole room of your house, a walk-in closet or the corner of a room might do. As a last resort, there’s always the dining room table after dinner has been cleared! No matter where you work, having the following two items will make the writing experience easier, more comfortable, and more inviting: •
A comfortable chair. Writing requires you to be seated, often for long periods, so you’ll want to invest in a solid, comfortable chair. This is especially important if your computer is a stationary desktop model. You’ll spend a lot of time in front of that screen, so find a chair that’s height-adjustable, well padded, and ergonomically correct.
•
Decent lighting. There’s nothing like staring at a computer screen for several hours at a stretch to put tremendous strain on your eyes. To keep from squinting or having your vision become blurred, make sure you have adequate lighting.
Getting Started Working writers don’t wait for inspiration to strike; instead, they make inspiration happen by establishing a schedule up front and holding to it.
Timing and Schedules Before writing the first words of your book, do as professional writers do: set a deadline. The following steps can help you establish a realistic timetable and target date for finishing your manuscript:
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