Al_Steiner
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Explaining my increased productivity.
🕑 Added 2025-06-04 21:19:39 +0000 UTCNo charge for this post as it is not an Intemp chapter.
Everyone has noticed my increased production this last month or so and I would like to give an explanation for it at this point. It’s a combination of several things. The first is maybe boring if you’re not interested in the mechanics of how a writer puts down a narrative such as what I’ve been building with the Intemp stories.
About two months ago I decided to fundamentally change the way I wrote. Before, I would write a big chunk out until I got fatigued with the process and then stop. The next time I picked up the story to write again, I would waste an hour or more going over what I had written in the previous section, analyzing, editing, changing things around, nitpicking little details, sometimes going down a research rabbit hole over a minor detail. This was bogging me down. Many times, by the time I got done micromanaging myself and got to the part where I start writing again, I didn’t have the energy for it. I would not add to the story at all, or I would only add a little. This was not productive.
And so, I adapted a completely new way of doing thing. Now, I sit down, I write a chunk out until I’m done, and then, the next time I sit down, even though every little part of my writer persona wants to go over what I wrote the session before, I simply don’t. I review the last few paragraphs of what I wrote before and then get right back into the story. I don’t pause for any complicated research. I just write. Once the entire chapter is done, I then go over the entire thing and make my corrections, edits, and do my research at that point.
This has increased my productivity incredibly and makes me ask why I didn’t start doing this years ago. I actually feel like a dolt for the way I used to do things.
That’s one aspect of my increased production. Another is my discovery of THC infused beverages. I won’t lie. These things are very conducive to creativity. I quit drinking alcohol one year ago because it was starting to get a little out of hand. I struggled a bit to keep writing without a drink sitting next to me but managed to plow forward, but it was hard. And then the ads on social media got me to try something new. My Nowadays 5mg drinks or my Vivana 10mg cans provide just enough of a little buzz to put me in gear but they don’t annihilate me. It's not Brain Ripper, just a little pleasant buzz. Judge me if you will. The shit’s legal where I live.
The biggest factor over the past month and a half, however, is that I’m currently on a medical leave of absence from work. It’s nothing serious. I don’t have cancer or heart failure or ALS or anything nasty, but I’m struggling with an orthopedic problem forged by thirty years of working EMS and as an RN. It might lead to my early retirement. Currently I’m 57 years old. I had planned to retire at 59 ½, when I can start drawing on my 401k and 403b that I’ve been contributing to all of my working life. I am prepared to retire early if needed (and, I think, secretly hoping that that will be my path).
In any case, that means I have nothing else to do but write. The combination of my new writing technique, a little Nowadays mixed with ginger beer during my sessions, and all the time I could hope for means greatly increased production. Enough that I’ve got time to work on other things between Intemp chapters. I can now put out an entire chapter in 24 hours. So, I went back in my archives and started working up past things. You’ve all seen these efforts as the first chapters of Cognate Air, The Way Things Are, The Agricultural Rush, and Living In Sin. I will keep up with these projects in the background and shoot for the goal of at least six Intemp chapters per month if that’s okay with those of you funding it. Maybe more. I will not charge for the LIS chapters. If I decide to continue with any of the other stories, I will post my intention and ask if you all mind funding that as well.
In any case, that’s where my life sits right now. I’m reasonably healthy, just gimpy, and in full blown beast mode with my writing. As my Patrons, I wanted all of you to know this.
Comments
Al Steiner
I've looked at it. I might do it someday, but not now.
Richard Thomas
Hi Al, love your writing even if I cannot keep up with your current pace. I do have a question: Are you going to look at completing "A Lost Generation" that you started on SOL?
Rob H.
Whatever it takes to get through the day. I'm just glad you're still writing after all these years. I hope the physical issues work themselves out so you can make it through without being in pain. Thanks for all your work and your words.
