A Writer's Time: Making the Time to Write [Paperback]

Kenneth Atchity (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 17, 1995

For nearly a decade, thousands of writers—aspiring and professional—have relied on this book, the first to apply time-management principles to the specific needs of writers of fiction, nonfiction, and drama.

Expanding his focus now, Kenneth Atchity adds a substantial new chapter, "Breaking into Show Business," and new material about recapturing the "high" of creativity and maintaining confidence despite setbacks. He shows you how to transform anxiety into "productive elation," how to separate vision from revision, and how to develop your own writing agenda.

This book, based on his writing seminars, research into dreams and creativity, and film development, is, as the New York Times states, "crammed with the sort of useful advice that it seems to take some people years to learn."

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The premise of Atchity's L/A House method is that discipline leads to productivity and that discipline is a matter of mastering time and the necessary writing skills. Conventional wisdom suggests writing every day, but here we have a case for writing being transcribing what has already been formed in the mind. Atchity propounds a left brain/right brain view of the mind, while applying a nomenclature of "islands" and "continents" that gets in the way sometimes. Index cards and periodic vacations are among his suggestions for organizing materials and using time. Suggestions for equipping the writer's office, as well as marketing and contracting, are included. Fran Lewis, Albany
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

“Exhilarating. After reading this, you're going to have to write.” (Carolyn See )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; Rev Exp edition (January 17, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393312631
• ISBN-13: 978-0393312638
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #258,062 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"I believe we can change the world through stories. 'The universe,' says Muriel Rukeyser, 'is not made of atoms, but of stories.' I believe in making a difference in the lives of others through the power of storytelling, both as a story teller myself and as a "story merchant" who enables other storytellers to make a difference."

Dr. Ken Atchity loves being a writer, producer, teacher, career coach, and literary manager, responsible for launching hundreds of books and films. His life's passion is finding great stories and storytellers and turning them into bestselling authors and screenwriters--and making films which send their stories around the world.

His books include, most recently, novels THE MESSIAH MATRIX and SEVEN WAYS TO DIE (with William Diehl) and nonfiction books for writers at every stage of their career. Based on his teaching, managing, and writing experience, he's successfully built bestselling careers for novelists, nonfiction writers, and screenwriters from the ground up.

Atchity has also produced 30 films, including "Hysteria" (Maggie Gyllenhaal and Hugh Dancy), "The Expatriate" (Aaron Eckhart), "The Lost Valentine" (Betty White), "Gospel Hill" (Danny Glover), "Joe Somebody" (Tim Allen), "Life or Something Like It" (Angelina Jolie), "The Amityville Horror: The Evil Escapes," "Shadow of Obsession" (Veronica Hammel), "The Madam's Family" (Ellen Burstyn). Full film bio at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0040338/

He was born in Eunice, Louisiana; and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, where he attended Rockhurst High School (and was editor in chief of The Prep News). After undergraduate work at Georgetown (A.B., English/Classics), and getting his Ph.D. in comparative literature from Yale, he served as professor and chairman of comparative literature and creative writing at Occidental College and Fulbright Professor at the University of Bologna. He was Distinguished Instructor, UCLA Writers Program, and a regular columnist-reviewer for The Los Angeles Times Book Review.

As CEO of www.storymerchant.com, his Story Merchant companies, www.aeionline.com and www.thewriterslifeline.com, provide a one-stop full-service development and management center for commercial and literary writers who wish to launch their storytelling in all media--from publishing and film and television production, to Web presence and merchandising & licensing.

PRESS:

Newtopia Magazine Interview

Mongrel Patriot Review: Producer and Writer Kenneth Atchity by Tamara Spivey

A dreamer who realizes his dreams and helps others do the same, Ken Atchity has impressive credits in the worlds of film, television and publishing.

Read more: http://newtopiamagazine.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/mongrel-patriot-review-producer-and-writer-kenneth-atchity/

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Your Writer's Brain: An Operating Manual May 31, 2001

By Jennifer M. Macleod

Format:Paperback

The title of this book is confusing! It's not *about* time, though time does figure into it, in the sense that Atchity will teach you how to get time on your side through mastering some very basic skills. The secret here is getting to know your brain and familiarize yourself with all the tricks it gets up to in order to undermine you writing instinct.

This book is part inspiration, part how-to, part common sense and part unique insight from Atchity's experience writing, teaching and producing. I found the section on "breaking into show business" least useful, while his concise exposition of the elements of fiction and drama will be useful even for writers of non-fiction who want to spice up their writing.

I must admit that A Writer's Time is a real mixed bag, but I won't hesitate to recommend it. Atchity will micro-manage your writing career if you let him, from how you organize your desk to how many index cards you use to compose your first novel. But all of those are only suggestions, and, as he says, if his suggestions don't work for you, toss them out.

But even if you disregard his suggestions, hang onto this book, if only for its enthusiasm -- it's hard to come by from veterans in this business. As Atchity says, "Writing is a craft. A craft not only can be learned, it MUST be learned."

In every paragraph, his confidence shines through that not only can you do it, but that you will. Atchity is no ra-ra cheerleader -- he knows what he's talking about. He's created many successful writers before, and he wants to help the magic work for you. Get him in your corner if you can.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gold Mine For All Writers August 21, 2006

By L. Shirley TOP 100 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

"A Writer's Time"(Revised and Expanded Edition) is a gold mine of ideas and suggestions for the writer at any level. This is one book that will stay on my book shelf, along with all the other reference books I could not do without. You'll feel as if you have hit the mother-lode with the invaluable information and strategies for organization. It is written by a writer with complete understanding of the writer's mind. I also found it to be extremely motivating. I often found myself shaking my head up and down as I was reading, as if the Author Kenneth Atchity, could read my mind, or knew exactly what I needed to hear.

Atchity delves into several subjects relating to writing, that would probably take several courses, or years of experience on your own to learn. He teaches you to Manage and make the most out of your time. He also advises little "vacations" away from your project as well.You'll also take away with you from the read, cause to celebrate each and every step you take towards your goals(as opposed to kicking yourself for not getting enough accomplished).

Here are just some of the nuggets to devour from your read. Finding the Time..Step by step management techniques... Organizing a system(he lays out a fabulous card system that is easy and makes great sense)...Researching...Agendas for both Non-fiction and fiction writers, with excellent examples... Your work time related to getting published(some great tidbits here that everyone should read), Putting Your Dreams into a storyline(this is especially interesting for the fiction writer), An informative and educational look at breaking into Show Business for the screenplay or TV writer,(this chapter had some fabulous illustrations that brought everything into perspective)...And last but not least, Recapturing the Creativity from a slump. He tops it off with words of inspiration from some great literary figures(and other great minds). Words that you can turn to at any time, for a little pick-me-up. Here is one of my favorites: "I cannot hold my tongue, nor my pen. As long as I live, I must write"...George Bernard Shaw, at 91. I even found the bibliography helpful for future projects.

There are many creative, motivational and inspirational suggestions to be found here. Written by one with vast experience on the subject. Atchity points the way.Extract what you like and see which ideas work best for you. For myself, I tried the card system on a smaller scale. Not for a book, but for an article, and I can tell you, that I was amazed at how well I managed my writing time, and what I accomplished with it. By the end(actually way before), you will feel the need to write, write, write.

It's a Writer's Gold Mine. Strike it rich with this read, and try to restrain yourself from doing the Walter Huston "we found the gold" dance(Treasure of the Sierra Madre")!....Laurie

also recommended:
On Writing

Senior Citizens Writing: A Workshop and Anthology, with an Introduction and Guide for Workshop Leaders

Pulp Writer: Twenty Years in the American Grub Street

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This Changed My Writing Life! April 8, 2005

By Donna D. Boyette

Format:Paperback

I read this YEARS ago and still recommend it to everyone I know who likes to write or who has to write.

The author's description of what our minds are doing while we write and fight writers' block will give you the biggest creative "AHA!"

You can almost hear your mind saying, "Drat, my secrets are REVEALED! Now I'll have to WORK."

This book is the reason I was able to finally finish my first book (see "How to Make Money While You Look for a Job"), and I even use the methods for freelance articles.

Can't wait to read his article on finding time...I need a time-raise!