I got rhythm by Jane Walters

‘Rhythm’ has meant different things to me at different times. As a child, it was all about the spelling – though you have to admit its shape and symmetry is lovely once you’ve cracked it. As a music teacher, my job was to teach and explain it: ‘long and short notes in a pattern’. Now I’m a writer, it means something else again.

I have the privilege of spending the bulk of my time working on my various writing projects. My typical schedule is to be at my desk by 9am, deal with ACW admin, then start writing. A break around 11.15 for coffee, then lunch at 12.45, followed by some time reading. Back to writing until 3pm, when I pause for a nice cup of Darjeeling, then finish when my brain is fried – which is certainly by 4.30, if not before.

So far, so good; but what I’ve described is not so much ‘rhythm’ as ‘timetable’. The latter is an impersonal, abstract thing. You could copy its pattern for yourselves, see where it gets you. Rhythm, though, has something more organic, holistic, synergetic about it. Let me explain…

As mentioned above, I was a music teacher for many years, and until about 18 months ago taught from home every afternoon. It meant that my writing schedule started a little earlier, around 8.30, so that I could get a decent amount done by the time I stopped for lessons. That was fine: I’m naturally an early bird, and I’m at my sharpest in the mornings. The thing is, I don’t have the lunch-time cut-off any more, and I’ve observed something interesting. Although I write well during the morning, as ever, I’m actually in more of a creative flow in the afternoons. 

I’ve put it down to two things. First, months on, the afternoons still feel like a newly-unwrapped gift: all those delicious extra hours! Second, my hours spent with students were all about exploration, development of skill, and even fun. Unwittingly, my writing has tapped into that.

We need to be ever flexible, though. Only last week I twigged that by Thursday I’m tired, so now I’m scheduling my creative writing for 3 days only, then spending Thursday and Friday either on my external editing commitments or on a lighter-weight WIP. Already this week feels better, like I’m more in tune with myself.

I wonder how this all pans out in your life.

Do let me know in the comments!

Jane Walters is Chair of ACW and leader of ACW-affiliated group Green Pastures Christian Writers.

She is currently working on a devotional for BRF Ministries and an online retreat programme.

Insta: @readywritersretreats

www.janewyattwalters.com