The Place For My Writers Notes

Original posting 28 May 2009

Writers' Digest, October 2004, pages 26 to 33, has a collection of short "nuggets of wisdom" related to getting published. Maria Schneider is the author of the compilation. Take a deep breath, and here we go:

"The way to make time for writing is to steal time from everything else. Don't answer the phone. Forget the mail. Let the houseplants die a lonely death. Call in sick to Thanksgiving and send Christmas cards in January. Don't fix the toaster. Don't fix the broken chair. Don't replace the batteries in anything. Live off the change that has fallen beneath the sofa cushions. Cultivate kind friends and patient landlords. And when you have finally alienated everyone you know, throw a big party and ply them with liquor and food. Play loud music and put tiny umbrellas in everyone's drinks. When they ask about the book, say: soon, soon." Jenny Offill

What can I say? Time to write!