Adapt to Change and Become More Productive
By Julia Munroe Martin | August 29, 2016 |
evolution by Esther Dyson, from Flickr’s CC
Mud oozes out of primordial swamps. Fish drag themselves out of the mud, grow legs, and crawl up the hill to the beach. A little farther, there are amphibians…then reptiles…Fast forward millions of years to one human writer sitting in front of her blank computer screen.
I may have skipped a few years (and evolutionary steps), but I’m talking about adaptation. According to Wikipedia, “adaptation refers to both the current state of being adapted and to the dynamic evolutionary process that leads to the adaptation. Adaptations enhance the fitness and survival of individuals.”
That’s biological lingo. But in writing? Adaptation is more like Nicholas Cage sitting in a small room, a blank sheet of paper in the typewriter on the desk in front of him, desperate to figure out how to adapt The Orchid Thief into a screenplay. That’s Adaptation the movie. And for the purposes of this blog: how we as writers adapt to be more productive in times of change.
Even Good Change Can Cause Ripples
I used to be a work-at-home mom—I wrote when my kids were at school. After our kids went to college, it took me a while to find my stride, but I did, and I wrote a couple of novels at a local coffee shop. Then, when my husband lost his job and became depressed, my writing spiraled down, too. I’m not going to lie, that was the hardest adaptation of all, but bit by bit I was able to carefully craft a schedule that got my writing back on track.
Lately, though, my writing schedule has been scattered to the wind. Sometime last spring, I lost confidence in my current work-in-progress. I was mid-way through, and I tried to get a rhythm going, but nothing really worked; every word felt forced. Then much to my joy, my daughter moved east after living in California for three years, and I didn’t care about writing—all I wanted was to spend the summer having fun with my daughter and the young, energetic dog she adopted. The last time we had a dog in the house was our very old and very lame lab, that we lost two years ago, and to be honest, I’d forgotten what a puppy is like.
I had been getting up at six every morning, exercising for an hour, then sitting on the couch to write. Although I have just as much time in the day and the puppy is only with us sporadically these days (my daughter has started grad school two hours away), I work hard to find a moment to write let alone to have a cogent, cohesive thought. For instance, as I was writing this, I had the brilliant idea to include something about not being able to concentrate and my time disintegrating into binge watching Netflix and eating Häagen-Dazs ice cream bars…but then I got a foot cramp and forgot why it mattered at all. (See what I mean?)
To be honest with you (and myself), the fabric of my writing life had begun to unravel long before Milo (the very cute and sweet rescue dog) appeared on the scene. Still, she’s a handy metaphor for the purposes of this blog. Case in point, I like to write sitting on one corner of the couch, but that’s become Milo’s preferred sleeping place—and I need to write while the puppy sleeps—hence, I’ve adapted and write on the footstool.
Adapting Like Crazy
I’ve identified three kinds of adaptation a writer may have to make. (Note that I’m talking here about figurative adaptation, not the literal kind. I’m not adapting a book into a screenplay, and I’m not evolving out of a swamp.)
On a daily basis. Or…the forty-five-pound-puppy-in-the-lap kind of adaptation. Whether it’s puppies or your in-laws staying with you for a few weeks, these are the daily ebbs and flows, or how we squeeze in writing when everything else needs more attention, whether it’s partners, kids, or broken washing machines.
Over the long run. Or…the transition from mom of school-age kids to empty nest. Don’t downplay the emotional adaptations you need to make—it’s not only about time. With an empty nest, there’s more freedom (of time), less freedom of spirit. That is, it’s also adapting to how our hearts and souls are pulled and what’s weighing on them—like when my husband was depressed, you have a new baby, or you’re caring for aging parents.
The way we write. Pantser vs. plotter, word count vs. timer, solitary vs. group—all of these are up for grabs as you adapt to changing circumstances. When I started writing fiction, I outlined everything. In detail. Chapter by chapter. Then I wrote one novel as a pantser. I’ve now adopted a more hybrid approach. This has changed with how much time I have available but also with experience and with input from other sources (blogs, classes, conferences, writer friends’ advice, etc.).
The Only Constant is Change
Sometimes it feels like the only constant in writing (and life) really is change—and the real skill is how to adapt our minds to deal with that and still be productive as writers (even when you can’t do things in the same way you always have). Here are a few things that work for me (right now) while I’m learning to adapt.
Have laptop will travel. My laptop is the one constancy in my writing. I can take it anywhere, and I do. That way I’m ready to write when the muse strikes. For you, this may be a journal and pen or Dragon dictation. Be open to switching to a new writing medium.
Set goals. Whether it’s word count or the amount of time you’ll write each day or the time of day you’ll write (or something else entirely), it’s not just comforting to have something to work toward, experts believe it helps achieve results. You may shift your goal as things change; that’s all part of adapting. I used to have a goal of writing at least a thousand words a day; my goal right now is to write some kind of fiction every day.
Seek out writer friends. I’d be lost without mine. Hearing their struggles and successes, how they adapt, helps me look at things from different angles and gives me new ideas about how to adapt my own writing life. I talk to one of my friends, my “accountability partner,” every Monday, and we set goals during our conversations then report back on progress the next week.
Read more. In times of great change, I try to read more (when I can concentrate; sometimes that’s a challenge in itself). Recent studies suggest that reading helps us deal with problems in our personal lives and can help us make sense of the world.
Keep writing. Something. For me, when my time felt more fractured, I started writing short fiction, even though I’ve always enjoyed writing longer fiction, and I’ve only written a handful of short stories before. Shorter fiction feels more manageable and finishing something is key to my adaptation. Today, writing this post is a success.
Finally, be kind and patient with yourself. Remain positive and flexible. If all else fails, take a day to cuddle on the couch with the puppy, eat ice cream bars, and watch Netflix. Tomorrow is another day to crawl out of the swamp and re-attack the WIP—fast forward to some undesignated year in the near future: one human writer sitting at her laptop, typing for her life to get the words out that have built up in her brain while adapting.
What life changes have demanded your adaptation? What do you do to adapt as a writer? What goals do you have and how have they changed?
[coffee]
Julia Munroe Martin (@jmunroemartin) is a writer and blogger who lives in an old house in southern coastal Maine. Julia’s other passion is photography, and if she’s not writing at the dining room table or a local coffeeshop, you’ll likely find her on the beach or dock taking photos. Julia writes The Empty Nest Can Be Murder mystery series as J. M. Maison.
With me, it always seems to be a job change. I’m one of those engineers who can’t get too comfortable in the same company, so I change up about every five years (this is fairly common these days). That always seems to disrupt my flow. Last year I wrote and self-published a 4 book book YA series, started a new job in November, then…zilch. I’ve been slowly recovering, working on my middle grade novels for traditional publishing (thank God they don’t expect 4 a year), and spending more evenings on the deck with my wife and a glass of wine. Signing an agent has spurred me into stepping it up, but I hope to maintain a more livable pace.
I can see how a job change would disrupt flow — when I worked in-house, whenever a new project started, I remember feeling that way. It’s good to know others have a slow recovery, too. Your evenings on the deck sound perfect.
“…reading…can help us make sense of the world.” Funny, I was just telling someone this weekend that’s why I write–to try & make sense of the world. 8-)
As to adaptation: I’ve been in an ongoing adaptation due to having a hugely stressful job which causes health problems, depression, etc. For a long time, the circumstances of my job caused me not to write at all–it simply shut my creativity down.
But I’ve reached a point where the stress & demands of the job have already taken everything there is to take and I’ve got nothing else to lose. So at this point, I say “Screw it. What will be will be. In the meantime, I’m going to write.”
So I’m happy to say adaptation is in my favor. During August I’ve been going through an old manuscript doing an evaluation and this month I’ll be re-writing it with those notes in mind. October I’ll plot out the next in the series and November I’ll do NanoWriMo to start writing the first draft.
It is within my power whether or not I let other people kill my creativity. So adaptation for me is accepting the lunkheads in my life and being creative anyway.
I’m so sorry to hear about the stressful job and especially that it created health problems, but I’m so happy to hear that you’re writing again! And this is brilliant and I wish I’d included it in my post: “It is within my power whether or not I let other people kill my creativity. So adaptation for me is accepting the lunkheads in my life and being creative anyway.” Thanks for the comment, Brenda, glad reading helps and especially glad you’re writing!
Julia, without a doubt, your post resonates here in my little corner of the world (writing and otherwise). Have had a summer of minor (thankfully) health issues that have disrupted my usual routines. Writing. Life in general.
Your points of read more and keep writing were my default–helped me find a new stride and sense of normalcy.
Learning to adapt stretches us. I’m not always keen on what that involves. At the same time, I’ve discovered the results of persevering far outweigh the in-between stuff. And yes, a glass of wine and pondering the view from our deck goes a long way toward soothing the spirit and restoring the soul.
Micky, glad to hear it resonates — but so sorry at the same time for your summer of issues (glad you’re okay). I love this: “Learning to adapt stretches us. I’m not always keen on what that involves.” Yes. Exactly.
For me, being flexible has had to become a way of life, since life seems to constantly throw curveballs. I’m beginning to see, though, that the dust never really settles. My main goal is to say close to and immersed in my story, whatever that has to look like at the moment. I’ve also learned to pick and choose what I say yes to, which has gotten easier as I’ve gotten older. I used to be uncomfortable having people mad at or disappointed in me for not saying yes to certain things. But I’m learning to live with it. It actually feels kind of good in that saying no to someone else is a yes to myself. So I’m having tee shirts made. ‘No is the new yes’. Thanks for a great post, Julia.
I agree that this is the key >> My main goal is to say close to and immersed in my story… (I know because somewhere along the way, I lost that immersion, and I’m fighting to get back there.) Great comment, Susan, and I think I need one of your t-shirts. Before I leave for any community meeting, my husband says: “repeat after me: don’t volunteer for anything else.”
Every day I ask myself, “We still doing this?”
The answer is “Yes,” and I sit down to spend most of my day at my computer.
The progress is incredibly slow, and the hours in which my brain works unpredictable and few, but this is what I do.
I’m out on the wings of so many bell curves it isn’t even funny any more, but I’m at peace with that, and just keep plugging away at it – because when it works, it takes my breath away.
I keep up with what I can on the business side, keep sussing out possible marketing strategies (with me being odd, this is an interesting exercise), and love that I can be this different – and still write.
And I also love that it’s always something new and fascinating. I didn’t know it would be this way when I started writing seriously – and endless source of delight in the work.
This: “because when it works, it takes my breath away.” I love new things, too, and am utterly curious about the world, but when it takes my breath away — that’s what we live for, right?
What a motivating post today. I agree! You have some really good points, Julia. I’d like to add one: Be realistic. I’ve had to change my expectations to align with what is happening out in the real publishing world and marketing world. I decided to forget literary agents—they want an author who has several books out there selling 60,000+ copies each title, and each with over 200 reviews at 4 and 5 stars before they’ll even look at you. That’s not me (I’m selling about 1800 books a year and have less than 100 reviews on each novel). So my writing career is in small indie land. Am I gettin’ rich? Nope. Do I care? Nope. I don’t expect to make a living off of my writing. Marketing adaptations? I hardly ever listen to the gurus anymore; half the time their strategies cost more time and effort than they produce results. I do my own trial and error tactics. Julia, your ‘Remain positive and flexible’ is brilliant advice. Good mantra!
So glad you found it motivating, Paula — thank you! And I think being realistic is a really good point to add. I’ve had to change my expectations as well, and it really does affect how I day to day approach my writing. “I do my own trial and error tactics,” sounds like a very good thing. Thanks for the read and especially the comment!
Hi Julia,
Life demands adaptation in all things and so though I’ve worked on my novels for years, I’m still working and feel like I’ve crossed many writing miles. Every aspect of living deserves attention and when you have children and they graduate or get jobs, get married and have children, there’s adaptation of another sort and it’s great. But the work calls me back and today, once again, I’m happy to be here. Thanks for your post.
That’s a good point — life really does demand adaptation in all things. Crossing many writing miles is such a good way of describing it, and the work does call no matter what. Thanks for your comment, Beth!
I can so relate to your post. The ups and downs of life have made me a writing chameleon.
I write anywhere, anyhow, anyway I can. I often come home from the day job with stuff scribbled on scraps of paper.
I’ve also for the past few years had different versions of a phone with a stylus pen that has a journal program, so I’ve come to depend on that as well as my trusty laptop.
Thanks for this post Julia, It’s encouraging to know that I’m not alone. And that it is possible to get the job done, no matter where or how you get it done.
Glad you can relate, Bernadette. I’ve often thought about an iPad with a stylus for a journal program, so it’s good to know it works for you. I’m encouraged to know I’m not alone, either, and now to make sure I get it done no matter where I am (like you do!). Thank you!
I love this, Julia! It’s good advice to keep in mind. I’m a creature of habit, which usually works extremely well for me — except, of course, when the ability to remain in habit gets thrown off. Then my productivity drops off a cliff and I flounder. Learning to be more flexible would be a good thing for those times, certainly.
And the thing about reading: yes. Reading is the secret magic for writers, I think. If I’m having the worst writing day of my life, if all else fails and not a word will come, I can always open a book and still do productive, rejuvenating ‘work.’
Thank you, Annie — and that’s the thing, I’m a creature of habit, too, which is I think what got me in trouble. I’m thrown off my game! It’s probably why, like you… I’m falling off that cliff. I think I need flexibility too. I love your thoughts on reading, too. It’s something I love about writing, that it requires reading!
Julia, your post resonates a great deal with me because I began writing when I was pregnant with my second child. Adapting to the changing needs of my children and my own health has been the name of the game. I have to remember to be kind to myself when I cannot write, though crankiness usually sets in fairly quickly if I don’t write, so it is something I need. Even on the most difficult days, I can scribble a few thoughts in my notebook.
I have to remember to be kind to myself, too, Vijaya, so I know what you mean — and it’s excellent that you can find a way to write something (even on the most difficult days), that it’s something you need. I was thinking that just today as a future post…how much I miss it when I don’t do it because it’s truly something I need. Glad the post resonates; thank you for your comment!
Wow, Julia, your post made me feel like someone understands my struggles–both time and brain related–to write consistently over the past year. My husband was deployed to another state for 6 months last year, then this June my youngest graduated from high school, my husband retired from the Air Force, we moved from Boston to Sacramento (living out of hotels for more than a month until we closed on our house), and we’re getting ready to send my baby to college in a few weeks. So many changes that, even though there were days when I had time to write, my brain often refused to show up for the party. Especially since everyone else in the family was off work/school.
When I first started writing, I could do it anywhere, anytime, even while the movers were packing things up. I’d steal 15 minutes while waiting for my kids to get out of school, and write during their early morning swim practices, and all day long if I could. I want to get that joy/need back, because I’ll likely never be truly settled.
I crave change, and I’m highly adaptable in general (military brat and spouse, no choice), but from a writing perspective it’s been great this last week or so to finally get out of “vacation mode,” feel settled, and have a (sort of) routine. I’ve written for the last nine days in a row and I’m loving it.
I’m saving your post as a reminder for next time things go crazy. Probably not a long wait. ;-) Thanks, and good luck!
So glad you could understand and relate. You really give me hope when you say that for the past 9 days you’ve written — I can well imagine you’re loving it (I would too!). I could’ve written this: “When I first started writing, I could do it anywhere, anytime…” Yes. Exactly. You sure had a lot of changes, and I understand what you mean about your brain not showing up. I too grew up all over the world (not military but parents who worked everywhere) and am adaptable, but want the joy/need back too. Thanks for the great comment, Gwen!
Great reminders, Julia. Thank you. For me, I add regular exercise – at least 5 days a week, even if it’s just a walk after dinner. Feeling good, feeling exercised, helps me write. All the best.
Yes, that’s critical, I agree…. and you know, that fell off the map with the puppy, so I think that may be part of my issue! Thank you!
This was a very apropos topic for me as well. I’ve struggled to get back on track with my writing throughout 2016. Living on a ranch in BC’s South Cariboo, most of my writing is done – or should be done – during the winter months when it’s great to be indoors with the fire going, looking out over a winter landscape.
Last November, however, my spouse underwent cardiac bypass surgery and his activities were curtailed for most of the season. That meant I was in charge of horses, dogs, snow clearing (our driveway is almost 1/4 mile long), firewood, driving, shopping and pretty much everything. Somehow, I didn’t adapt and writing didn’t make my priority list.
During that time, I also became a news junky. (The drama surrounding the U.S. election is to blame; my iPad, Facebook & Twitter make it way too easy to access international news.) Now, even though my husband is doing well, I’m in the habit of giving in to these distractions and it’s hard to get back in the writing groove.
I’m working on the fifth novel in my mystery series. My goal was to release it this past spring, but I’m losing hope that I’ll get it out before the end of the year. My last novel has been very well received (it’s a finalist for the 2016 Whistler Independent Book Award in the Crime Fiction category) and I’m feeling a lot of pressure to bring out the next book in the series.
My goal is still to complete the novel by the end of the year. I intend to dangle a carrot in front of myself. If I finish it by December 31st, I’ll allow myself to attend Left Coast Crime in Honolulu in March. It’s sad that I have to resort to bribing myself, but if that’s what it takes to get myself to adapt …
Thanks for posting, Julia!
Congratulations on the wonderful reception for your novel and for being a finalist in the Whistler Independent Book Award!! How wonderful, but I understand the feeling of pressure that must create for you as well. I think under the circumstances I’d resort to whatever I had to do, too — so I think bribery sounds just fine! — maybe if you let go of the sadness (that you’re resorting to it), that will be one less thing on your mind. Whatever it takes, as you say!! I have to say, your ranch sounds amazing, but it sounds like a lot of work especially with the stress and worry you were under and during the cold winter months you’d rather be writing (I think it’s understandable that you didn’t get much writing done). Take care, R.E. and get writing! You have a trip to plan :)
Oh Jules, this is my life story. I feel like I’m constantly shape-shifting and my writing hits a setback each time. I added a little side hustle to gain a little financial freedom and it consumed much more than I anticipated. I had a midlife “WTF am I doing?” and I lost all sense of direction. Enter reading streak, exit all writing. Kids’ activities, family travel, summer and motherhood duties, yada, yada, yada. Sometimes all I could muster was a monthly blog post.
My goal now is to write everyday. Something. Anything. It has to be a part of my life or I feel lost at sea. Another goal of mine is to finish my novel this year. Another goal is to get back to essay writing and submit to a paying publication. I’m working on making strides and not keep walking in circles.
Thanks for this candid and very relatable post, Julia. Great timing for me to read this. xoxo
So glad you can relate, Hallie…well, that is, glad you know what I’m talking about but wish neither one of us felt this way. I love your goals, very similar to mine, and I really love this: “I’m working on making strides and not keep walking in circles.” We can do this! So happy to have you in my circle as I make strides!! xox
20 months ago, we moved in with my MIL who has Alzheimer’s dementia. The creative side of my brain froze. I couldn’t write or blog or sew. Didn’t *want* to write or blog or sew! And what complicates matters is we also have an adult special needs daughter. Lots of adjusting. I pushed through and managed to write a short story for a contest last year and won Readers Choice! But that’s about it.
However, about 3 months ago, my brain woke up. I am so relieved! And when hubby starts back teaching next week, I’ll get myself together and work out a new writing plan, complete with a new writing space. Until now, I’ve been writing either at the dining room table or the recliner. Didn’t want to squirrel myself away and then startle Mom when I came out. She knows we live here now. It’s time.
Thank God for being able to adjust!
Thank you for commenting, Pam (and for telling your story and understanding). Your story gives me so much hope! “My brain woke up,” is exactly how I’d describe what I’m waiting for, and I know what you mean about being relieved; I can imagine. It really does feel like I’m sleepwalking a bit as I try to write. That or wading through jello. Thank you again for your encouraging comment.
I didn’t write for over 2 years. I put a metaphorical bomb in the middle of my “safe” life and clicked the “engage explosion” button. KABOOOM!
Last week, I opened a manuscript and almost wept – it’s as if a love I lost came walking through the mists and smiled at me.
Thank you, Kathryn. Exactly the words I need to read.
“Don’t downplay the emotional adaptations you need to make—it’s not only about time.” Wow. This is so true and I hadn’t really considered it before. This whole post (and the one you prefaced it with via your blog) were just so inspiring, Julia, in the way that you are being totally honest, offer practical advice, and for me in particular, highlight the long game, something that is often hard to forget on an hour to hour basis of writing/parenting/xyz’ing in our daily lives. Thank you for writing this. And I’m so happy for you that things are going in a new direction. xo
I’m so glad you found my posts inspiring. I’m past the young parenting stage (from my perspective, maybe not yours, you’re not), but I remember vividly feeling as you do — to remember the long game of writing. I’m pretty bad at that myself. What I didn’t mention in the post (and wish I had) is that it’s an irregularly timed and variable path, of course, as life often is. Many days the writing life feels like one step forward, two steps back. And I suppose that’s where the patience and kindness with ourselves and each other come in. Thank you for commenting, Kristen, so happy to have you in my writing circle of friends!
Such a wise post, Julia.
Thank you, Nina…very kind. I feel like my adaptation is definitely a work in progress.
Thank you Julia for this insight into the process of being or becoming a lifelong writer. You words and experience not only ring true, but help me feel less alone. I’ve written for myself for most of my life, but only written for readers in the last 10 years. I, too, have been working to complete my first mystery novel in a series. (have 2 other in the series in rough draft) and have produced Dog Leader Mysteries blog for five years.
The thing I like the most is a column I write for our small town, Cotati, CA because it is more limited in scope and I have an external deadline to meet for the “Sonoma County Gazette” so for 5 years I have kept up both blog and column but falling down on the novel during life’s ups and downs.
Kindness and patience is a spiritual path as well as hope. I hope I can complete my novels as I learn to ask for and receive support on the editing,publishing and marketing side of the life of a writer.
In loving kindness, Deborah T=F
Thank you, Deborah — I’m so glad my words resonated with you (and I’m so sorry for the delayed response). I feel so much less alone, too, from all the great support I’ve gotten through writing this post. I love these words: “Kindness and patience is a spiritual path as well as hope.” Yes. And here’s to both of us reaching our goals! Happy writing!