writing success and motivation

Busy? Too busy with the drudgery of life to get your writing done? That was me too. Then my friend Kathy, also a busy small business woman, and I hit upon a plan. We thought we’d be able to squeeze in half an hour for our own writing projects between all the chores and paid work. It was necessary. Boy, was I getting grumpy when I wasn’t writing. The kind of grumpiness only cured by writing.

But 30 minutes? What can you get done in that small space of time?

Turns out, you can write a whole book and then do a second draft, including a scene list. I know, because I’ve done just that. In less than six months. I’ve written an entire 80 000 word comedy manuscript and redrafted it, all to a timer set to 30 minutes. I like to do my 30 early in the day because, like most things, if I get stuck into the busyness of work, I don’t emerge till evening by which time my brain juice is empty. So it’s mornings for me, but anytime will do. I also like to play some writing music, with the sound of a train clattering on tracks behind it, urging me forward.

I knew I could probably write the first draft in short bursts, I do lots of timed writing exercises and know that good quality work comes when you’re not thinking about it too much – and only having a limited time certainly stopped me reviewing what I’d already written and falling into that easy trap of rewriting the beginning before you reach the end. Having the timer on forced me to keep writing forward. DON’T LOOK BACK is the first draft motto – keep writing until you reach the end. And I did! I had so much fun, most days I had to force myself to stop writing. Writing comedy for the first time was also a revelation, I was making myself laugh instead of cry for a change. Hopefully other people will also find it funny!

I was more concerned about doing a second draft in short bursts, but by writing a scene list as I went through I was able to hold a full picture of the novel despite the time constraints. I’d put so many barriers up “I need a whole block of time.” “I need at least a week to focus solely on the project”. “I need to have a clean slate.” Now all of these things would have been wonderful and I’ve booked a week for just my own writing in June, but I’ve also learnt that books can get written and redrafted in 30 minute blocks outside these dream conditions.

So what are you waiting for? Got a story that you need to get out of your head on the page? Too busy with life to make a start? Bugger that!

Make yourself a promise to give the 30 minutes a day a try. Super busy? Make it 15 minutes. Ten! Put a timer on, find a quiet spot, tell everyone “I’m out for the next however long” and write like the wind, free and fast and carefree. Write and write and write. Don’t stop until that timer goes off. Then stop, even if you’re on a roll. End mid-sentence as Ernest Hemmingway suggested – that way you know exactly where to start the following day. Feel better. Writing helps grumpy writers find their joy again. It’s the writing itself that is the magic. Creating! Get to it!

Find a writing buddy to do the 30 a day club with and send a message when you’ve done yours, checking your friend is also on track. No judgement or criticism allowed. Just encouragement. Kathy and I have had down times when life was just too busy, but we’ve slowly pulled each other back and got on with the job. Days off are allowed, as are binge writing days. Sharing the adventure of your 30 minutes a day is part of the fun.

The best part for me is feeling like a writer again. I love writing. I love the magic that happens on the page when I step out of the way and let the story tell itself.

Give the 30 Minutes a Day Club a try. Rekindle your joy in writing. Connect with a writing buddy and get ready to roll!

Let me know how you go! Reaching The End today on my second draft was a joy I didn’t think would happen. But now here it is and I feel like I’m ready to start a whole new project.

What will I do for my 30 tomorrow?

I’ll write. I’ll just write and see what happens.

With lots of love

Edwina xx

P.S. JUST WRITE RETREAT! Still some spots available at the April 4 – 8 2024 JUST WRITE RETREAT in Springbrook – Gold Coast Hinterland. All the info HERE. CONTACT ME to make sure you don’t miss out. 4 nights, 5 days – JUST WRITING! Plus daily Q & A plus a couple of workshops to help you focus and a Pomodoro collective writing room for those who write best in company!.

Due to popular demand, we are now offering a FOUR NIGHT, FIVE DAY retreat high in the Gold Coast Hinterland at the beautiful and quite magical Theosophical Society Education and Retreat Centre in Springbrook from Thursday 4^th April until Monday 8^th April 2024.

For days now the old Dragon song (vale Marc Hunter) “Take me to the April Sun in Cuba” has been playing non-stop in my head, with a few words changed to take us all to the April Retreat in Springbrook! Who wants to come?! Me! (Dragon will not be joining us!)

Are you desperate for some time out from real life to focus on your writing? Whether you’re just getting started or working on book ten, this retreat is all about YOU and YOUR WRITING PROJECT. Time for you to write. Time for you to relax and just think. Time to daydream, lie on a blanket in the sun and gaze up into the tall trees imagining the next steps of your book, or your life.

Sound like just what the doctor ordered? I know I’m really looking forward to some time out from all the madness and frantic busyness, to focus solely on my new book (just finished the first draft :)). Even better, doing so in a group of women writers all doing the same thing!

I left the Retreat with inspiration for my writing, as well as goals with a clear and achievable action plan. And the best part is I now have the support of 16 new writing buddies!

COURTNEY MASTERS – retreat participant

This retreat is all about WRITING TIME.

We have an initial workshop to help clarify goals for the retreat, making realistic plans about what we’d like to achieve, connecting with others and figuring out which method works best for you. During the days we’ll run a supervised writing room with timed “Pomodoro” style sessions, writing in twenty-minute bursts, followed by five minutes to rest, chat and grab a cup of tea or coffee and some of Gay’s delicious home-baked treats (GF options always available). Or, if you’re a solo writer like me, then every room has its own desk, or you can find a spot in the beautiful gardens and rest your back against one of the giant gums or wander off to the waterfall and write in blissful solitude in nature.

Edwina Shaw’s Writers Retreat at Springbrook was sensational. Working with other experienced writers and learning new ways of doing things as well as new ways to think, is always mind expanding. Then there were the deep dive conversations with other writers and the sacred walk to the waterfall. It was an extraordinary way to learn and grow.

VICKI BENNETT – repeat retreater

We’ll have Q & A sessions after lunch every day where you can ask as many craft-related questions as you like, and every evening we’ll have guided deep breathing and relaxation to help our busy writers’ minds to slow down and relax. After a delicious dinner you’ll have the chance to share your writing with the group. We’ll finish off the retreat with a final workshop, checking on progress and plotting our way forward, setting goals and making plans for our projects, and ourselves, moving forward.

To be held in a space of such love and respect, through both solitude and interacting with other amazing women, was a real blessing. I found Edwina to be enlightening, welcoming and an amazing source of inspiration and knowledge regarding all aspects of writing, including publishing. I came away knowing that I truly have potential and feeling very excited about my writing journey. I want to share my gift with the world, and now I feel like I can. Wow.

KYLIE DEAN – retreat participant

These retreats do more than just get you writing, they provide much needed time out from the world to reassess what you want from your life and nurture your creative self, so that by the time you return to the big smoke, you’ll be feeling refreshed, renewed and ready to shine!

Come along and you will be treated to a memorable, supportive and nurturing space with laughter and creativity aplenty. These retreats offer the perfect balance of relaxing and writing. From the collective energies of the group as a whole to the care-filled little touches that Ed brings, your inner-goddess and writing muse will thank you! A warning though… once you’ve gone on one, you’ll want to come back again and again! Spoken by a true repeat retreater!

BIANCA MILLROY – repeat retreater

PRICE INCLUDES:

4 nights comfortable single accommodation with bathrooms shared between two.

ALL MEALS – healthy homemade organic vegetarian meals, breakfasts, lunches and dinners, plus morning and afternoon teas. (All sensitivities catered for on request)

2 Writing workshops

3 Guided breathing and deep relaxation sessions

4 Q & A sessions

A supervised Pomodoro room to keep you on track,

As much solitary writing time as you like!

Plus: a chance to share your stories on readings nights.

Transport not included.

I have been inspired to work on my writing but also to work on my health. Not only am I motivated but I made so many new friends.

PEG MACLEOD – retreat participant

COST for this special ALL INCLUSIVE 4 NIGHT RETREAT of writing, fun and feasting?

Pay your deposit by February 15 for EARLY BIRD PRICES

UNWAGED/ CONCESSION:

EARLY BIRD $750, Normal $790

WAGED: EARLY BIRD $850, Normal $900

All inclusive!

PAY YOUR DEPOSIT HERE

OR by Direct Deposit PREFERED: CONTACT EDWINA FOR AVAILABILITY AND BANK DETAILS.

If you have more dash than cash but would still LOVE to come, just email Edwina and we’ll work it out.

ALTERNATIVE EXTRAS ALSO AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST:

One on one sessions with Edwina to give direction or advice on your project.

Body work treatments with the deeply knowledgeable and gifted healer, Monique DeGoey of Reconnect BodyWork.

If you’ve been promising yourself some time out for your writing and would love to connect with like-minded writing women in a stunningly beautiful location, far from the madding crowds, then this is the retreat for you!

Come along and be nurtured and supported by a kind and gentle group of women and leave all your worries behind as you immerse yourself in the beautiful natural environment, lovingly cared for by the Yugambeh people for millennia.

GET ALL THE INFO HERE

If you’re looking for more workshops to guide your writing and to get your head around aspects of teh writing craft, then check out all the other retreats available in 2024! Really looking to escape? Join me and my dear friend, the wise and witty Kerstin Pilz author of Loving my Lying Dying Cheating Husband, in Bali for our Relax and Write Your Journey BLISSFUL BALI RETREAT July 11 – 17 2024.