Bookstore and library shelves are bursting with books about writing technique and style, but none (at least that I’ve found) discuss writing habits and routines. I want to know how professional writers schedule their days. When, where, and how much do they write? Do they plot or not?

One of the first questions I posted to the ACRW loop was “How much do you write each day?” Questions of this nature frequently appear on the loop, leading me to believe many of you share my curiosity. Our fine newsletter staff has given me permission to satisfy those inquiring minds. The “Behind the Scenes” column will look beyond the pages of the novels you love, taking you into the offices of the people who write them.

This month, Tracey Victoria Bateman graciously agreed to answer my questions about her writing life. Tracey has sold six novels and two novellas along with articles and a short story. I hope you will enjoy the sneak peek as much as I did.

Q: How many years have you been writing?
A: Five and a half, but only four seriously.

Q. How much time do you spend writing daily?
A: It can vary as much as 0 to 14 hours a day. Just depends on how inspired I am that day, how close to deadline, and whether I have to clean toilets, etc. Any day except Sunday is a POTENTIAL workday. I usually write at least four days a week.

Q: Do you set goals for your writing?
A: I try, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. God redeems my time. He knows I really want to do things right. I want to write quality entertainment to touch hearts, and He's the one who gave me this dream and gives me ideas that are selling. I refuse to stress about time. If I can only write 200 words for that day, I know God will give me a 4000-word day to make up for it. I trust Him to redeem the time as long as I'm not being lazy. If that's the case, I'm on my own to make up the time I blow off. He's a fair employer.

Q: Where do you write?
A: Usually in my living room chair with the laptop. I do email at the desktop.

Q: Do you plot or not?
A: Not when I first started writing. But I’ve learned to sit down and not only plot chapter by chapter, but pov scene by pov scene within the chapter, then put it in synopsis form. I still can veer off a bit, but it gives me a map to go by. Now Heartsong wants chapter-by-chapter synopses for proposals, so it's really easy for me to make the switch in format.

Q: Is your first draft rough or do you aim for a polished manuscript the first time through?
A: I edit like crazy as I go. I like it clean. If it doesn't sound right to me, I won't be able to move on until I fix it. After the chapter is as pretty as I can get it, I send to a crit partner, implement changes, send it to another one and so on for usually three or four critique partners. This cuts down on repetitive critiques.
I spend a LOT of time on rewrites and editing -- more now than when I first started. I want to grow as a writer and continue to improve. It's the old adage the more you know the more you realize you don't know. :)

Q: Do you have any advice for a new writer?
A: I don't want to sound trite but read a LOT of books from the company you are targeting. I set a goal to be published with Heartsong. That's where I felt God leading me and that's where I felt I had the best chance to sell because I read in the Christian Writer's Market Guide that 25% of their books were from first time authors (I don't know if that percentage is still accurate). The others ranged from 1% to 10% and I didn't like those odds.

Send off for the CURRENT guidelines. It's useless to waste your time and energy writing a book that won't fit anywhere. UNLESS you are writing for your own pleasure. That's never been my intention. I DO love writing, but I have kids to put through college, too, and I HATE leaving my house. God gave me the gift of writing, so I gave it a shot. And Praise Him, He set me up to succeed.

I think you have to set goals and then be a bulldog until you attain those goals. I got discouraged many, many times—mostly because I didn't understand the process. For new authors looking to sell to HP, it will probably take a long time. That's the reality. But two years are going to pass anyway, so you might as well send in proposals and get the ball rolling.

Another bit of advice for new writers: Line up really great crit partners and don't be too stubborn to submit to their advice. Ask God to send someone who knows more than you. In my case, during my first two years of writing, ALL my crit partners knew more than I did. :) I didn't know ANYTHING. I learned so much. I'm still learning.

Q: How does your Christian walk play into your writing?
A: I think the most important thing for ANY writer, published or otherwise, is let the Word dwell inside of you. You can't give what you don't have. One thing the Lord has made very clear to me in the last few months is that I can't write words of life if I'm not in consistent contact with the Giver of life-changing Words. I have to keep this vessel pure so that He has a clear path to work through me. This is not always easy. It's difficult to see those places of darkness in our lives, but I love Jesus more than I love my pet sins. Song of Solomon says "The little foxes spoil the vine." Little attitudes and small, hidden sins are the most deadly because they are very difficult to catch and SOOO hard to let go of. I pray God always shows me my heart and grants me the grace to repent. I don't want to write my words, but His.

Finally, Only believe. All things are possible to them that believe. He is faithful, who has called you and He will perform His plan in your life if you hold tight to the dream in your heart. Don't let it go. It's heartbreaking to see all the women in God's kingdom who have completely let go of the dreams and goals they had as teens or young adults. The proverbs 31 woman had it all. And so can you.

I love you.