Creative Writer's Handbook, fourth ed, Jason and Lefcowitz
I read this quote the other day and had to pause. Am I a writer or a poser? Being published isn't the discriminating decider. It's all about the writing. Sometimes I'm amazed at how little actual writing gets done during my day. Sure, I read a lot about writing. I check out blogs, comment on blogs, feel jealous about published writers, wonder if I should or shouldn't be participating in NaNoWriMo, look through Writers Market and contemplate writers' guidelines, but am I doing the writing?
Sometimes I'm so overwhelmed and trapped in my own insecurity I stay busy being a poser and not a writer. And have you ever noticed avoidance begets avoidance? It's insidious.
How do you make sure you are a writer and not a poser? Here are a few ways I battle the avoidance bug:
- Keep a journal- write in it every day
- Carry a notepad- think like a writer, make notes as ideas and observations occur
- Short stories- find a contest or publication accepting short stories and give one a whirl (A few of my favorite: Glimmer Train, WOW! Women on Writing, Salt, to name a few, not that I've been accepted yet, but the carrot keeps me trying and writing.)
- MMIA? Find a prompt to loosen the clogged brain (Writer's Digest Prompts, The First Line Literary Journal)
- Magazine article-- Paid or unpaid, I like these because they are short and fairly simple and straight-forward to write
- WIP - commit to a minimal word limit, 300-500 words even
- MS in need of revision- tackle just one chapter
- Blog entry, make it meaty and thoughtful
- Play with first sentences-- write a list and see if one inspires
What do you do to make sure you're writing every day? What sources do you turn to for submission when you're feeling dry? How do you kick start your creative process? What writing disciplines do you have in place?
Don't keep these ideas to yourself: there's a poser out there who desperately needs you (maybe me!).
Keep writing,
Julie
Some of these strike me as what I would call 'writing as a distraction'. Things like blog entries and notebook time are writing, but they aren't writing that furthers your main projects. Instead, they take writing time and energy up in ways that go in other directions.
ReplyDeleteGood point Stu, and boy, can those things be distracting. But if stuck, or if you don't have a project in the works (some writers aren't there yet) at least they keep the brain clicking and the writing flowing or clips coming. Who knows what ideas journals or a blog or even an article might trigger?
DeleteThey may be a distraction, but it's still writing! Anything you do to improve your craft counts in my book. Yes, the writing of the WIP should be the main focus but when you have MMIA (love that, BTW) you need to find some way to get it back. Great Post!
ReplyDeleteThanks J.A. For me, I agree-- sometimes good heavens, I just need to WRITE...anything...something. I also like the free-flow of journal writing or short stories that loosen my creativity.
DeleteAlthough Stu's point about deceptive distractions, if there is a project that needs our attention, is well heeded. Guilty as charged, at times.
Maybe one of my blog entries will be a wanted poster for my MMIA. ;)
I agree with Julie and J.A. Whatever you write is practice, just as you would train for a sport or improve any other skill.
ReplyDeleteHi L-- I like the connection to sports and training. Since I'm an avid hobby recreationalist (Ha! How's that for an ambiguous title with almost no meaning?), I totally get the connection of "practice makes perfect".
DeleteBy the way, I stopped by your blog and love the premise
...my thoughts exactly.
ReplyDeleteFor me, setting goals - individual goals - has always been important. During week 1 of my learning-to-write journey, I made a list with concrete actions against definite timelines. These goals are for me, and me only. I refer to it often and when I think I'm slipping, I literally jump to it. If I haven't submitted something for a while, I write and I submit; if I've been slack in entering a comp., I polish something off and enter it. To me, it's not about being published or winning, it's about finishing what I start and feeling like I've achieved what I set out to achieve.
If blogging, journal-writing and jotting notes is what you want to achieve, well do it, and don't feel guilty about it. If you want to write a 600-pg novel in a year, then do that (which may or may not mean cutting out the rest of the crap).
Of course, if you're not a list people, and I know many people aren't, there's always public humiliation. Tell everyone what you plan to do, and then, by jingo, you'd better do it or you won't live it down.
This is a bit of a vent, but I hope you get something out of it. E
Great comments Egg. I am a list maker by nature. So yes, holding myself accountable or crossing something off the list is satisfying. I have also employed public admission as a tool-- as I did a few weeks ago right here in the blog concerning my MS revision project. It's been effective. It's held me accountable. Each of your goals of submission or competitions are great and keep you writing, which is the ultimate goal.
DeleteYeah, you tell me about it -- my muse is actually is missing in action right now. Haven't felt like writing, haven't had the inspiration, haven't had the time, haven't been in the mood so I read and comment on blogs instead of writing. I'll get back to writing one of these days...ONCE the blogosphere stops distracting me which will NEVER happen because I read and comment on too many blogs in the first place.
ReplyDeleteBut holy cow, I do love this supportive and encouraging writing community in the blogosphere. Maybe you'll guys get me back writing...
Great post, Julie! :)
Hi Livia-- oh I hate when I'm in one of those slumps. It's discouraging and can feel scary. Sometimes when I'm stuck like that I get this fear I'll never pick up and write again, that somehow I've lost the writing juju. That's when I make myself write in a journal, write a fun short story, or even read a great book on writing. I think that's what Stu was referring to in his comments-- it can be so distracting. But I agree, the online community is a great support and encouragement. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteI love the discussions you are able to generate. You have a true gift of bringing out the best of people. Now I have a quick question but first a quick set-up.
I believe that I have a good idea on the new first third of my book. As of today I have ten really strong chapters and a good road map to connect the mew material to the existing MS. My major issue is the upcoming five to ten chapters. I know the overall concept and how I would like it to go. However, I have a real concern that by bringing in the details necessary. The MS will get bogged down and the result will be another major re-write.
Here is the question: Am I better served by spending time mentally forming the next section before writing or is it better to just crank out ten thousand words and then cut down and try to form a cohesive section?
Thanks,
rob
Rob, if it were me, I'd mentally form the next section, perhaps even outline it. I'm doing NaNo this year, and am going into it with a clear idea of the overall story/plot, and seventeen chapters with outlines and mini arcs for each chapter: character introductions, conflict ideas, etc. It's the Monty Tucker short (if you remember), now being fully-fleshed and brought to life.
DeleteGood luck! - M.L. (Ishmael)
I'm so glad Mike responded. I'm not an expert here, so was hoping others would jump in.
DeleteFrom what I've read, and my own limited experience, I think some of how you proceed probably depends on how you best work. Some people need that pre-plan to begin, others work best within the inspiration of writing. Actually Roxanne over at Mindful Banner had a great post yesterday about her preparation for NaNo that offered great suggestions, even some software programs that were unfamiliar to me.
As I go through my revision, I am completely rewriting chapters and rearranging where chapters went, and although I have it semi-mapped out in my head, I didn't do a formal, written outline. I may get to that eventually though. I'm making this up as I go along ;).
Thanks for the thoughtful comment and response Rob and for stopping by. I'm hoping others respond as well who have tackled this kind of revision before.
Thanks ya'll. I am a in the head outline kind of guy. Mentally, I think I am going to limit this section of the MS to about five chapters. Keep the action/story moving and allow the reader to move along mentally and fill in the blanks.
DeleteAt least that is where I am at right now. "What could possibly go wrong?"
Sounds like a great work in progress, my friend. GO YOU!!
DeleteI think writing "something" is still counted as writing. Blogging helps me, especially if the post is about everyday life and NOT about writing. For some reason, that gets me fired up.
ReplyDeleteI recently read a blog post that I thought was a wonderful idea. Have your main character write a letter to you about their feelings or something that affected them deeply. You could even "interview" them about a current event to get their point of view. Even though you may never use the info in the actual story (or you may), it's related to your character's back story.
Hi Melissa-- really enjoyed your post in your blog this week. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI love the idea of not always writing about writing. Sometimes, especially as the blog grows and I'm working on my revision, I feel so stuck in that mind-frame.
I've read similar thoughts about getting to know your characters and letting them speak to you. Great idea not only for character development, but to let your mind flow and write! I did an interview with my primary protagonist, because she seemed kind of dull and flat to me. I let her answer the questions. Turns out she was a bit whiney and needs to buck up a bit and believe in herself so she can find her own solutions. ;)
There's so much involved in the writing process that it's easy to get wrapped up in the posing instead of the writing.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice because to be an actual writer, you must actually write. oh la la:)
Seems like such a simple concept, eh? Arm wrestling with our souls sometimes.
DeleteWhat a great topic, Julie! I love the MMIA...
ReplyDeleteI think it's a matter of prioritizing, which always fluctuates. If you have three projects in the works (let's say an MS revision, a blog entry, and a non-fiction article), you realize that the MS is #1 and the other two are less important. But you've HAD IT with that MS today! Moving on to something easier, but still in the craft, could be just the break you need. Cotton candy for the brain. Then you can attack that seven course meal later, when you're really hungry for it.
And I know you...with all that you do, I can safely say you're not a poser.
P.S. I like the careful placement of the plant in your picture, Julie Luek. :o)
DeleteHa-- I knew you'd catch the plant. It was very strategic. ;)
DeleteYeah, but you know Mike, sometimes when I have ALL the projects, I get overwhelmed and piddle around doing... nothing. POSER! Write, Julie, write. But yes, allowing yourself mind-breaks and dabbling in the projects is a good way to keep fresh and keep writing.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I love to write. Not much can keep me from my laptop. (People who've tried have been known to lose a hand. LOL) I've written over 7,600 words in the last two weeks and I have 2.75 MS under my belt. I'm not published yet, but I'd say that qualifies me as a writer. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Hi Melissa-- I would say it definitely makes you a writer. I'm impressed AND you manage to write great blog posts chock-full of content that I find very helpful. You must be a very focused person. Okay Melissa, you're my new bench mark for what I should and could be doing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
DeleteAh yes, the writer's roller coaster. One day (or month) you're up the next day you're down. I think every writer can relate to this post, Julie, and I tend to wonder about the writers who say they write EVERY day. Do they? Or do they just want others to think they do?
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, I have no great strategies to offer because what works for me one day, doesn't necessarily work the next day (depending on my mood). I just go with the flow, try to do something productive, and try not to beat myself up too bad over the unproductive stuff.
Hi Demetria-- You bring up a good point. So much of this may be dependent on personality. I read your comment just after reading Melissa's above you and see a contrast of personalities and work styles. I kind of take a work week approach and don't worry too much about writing on the weekends when my family is around, but I do try to put pen to paper(fingers to keyboard) at least once during the day. Thanks for stopping by. :)
DeleteDemetria, I like your style! I've read other posts of yours I agree with. I try to write on something everyday, but don't consider 'writing' to be exclusive to work on an ms or creative writing. Sometimes my 'writing' is thoughts...ideas. Sometimes it's research. Sometimes, like now, it's preparing everything for the upcoming NaNo. 'Writing' for me includes all aspects of the craft. I'm learning there's a lot more than sitting down a whipping it out to make a successful author.
DeleteM L, thank you for your kind words. I agree, writing includes all aspects of the craft and I try to do something towards my craft daily, but I don't write EVERY day on my manuscript. Sometimes those darned manuscripts need time to sit and breathe, so I can regroup with new perspective.
DeleteAin't that the truth? Sometimes I let them breathe so long they start to snore, interrupting my own nap! But to me, that's part of the writing process, too.
DeleteI checked out Shaken But Not Stirred. Love it.
Great post Julie! It's so easy to let writing fall by the waysaide. You've got some great tips here and I look forward to visiting again.
ReplyDeleteSylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
Hi Sylvia-- thanks for stopping by. I'll look forward to drifting your way as well!
DeleteI feel the same sometimes. I'm currently working on a first draft that's not getting very far - I know I'll have a breakthrough moment soon, but at the moment I'm just writing it one sentence at a time.
ReplyDeleteAs Hemingway so aptly said, "There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."
DeleteI'm right there with you Annalisa- one word, sentence, paragraph at a time. Go us.
Don't use up all my Sunday Inspiration quotes! ;o)
DeleteIt really helps if you have someone in your life that likes reading your stories. I know you shouldn't always trust the opinions of those closest to you, but if those people actually look forward to reading your work, you will never want to neglect a day of writing.
ReplyDeleteHi Alan, what a great perspective and thought. Yes, you're right. Having someone in your life who loves and enjoys your stories would certainly give you motivation to keep writing. This is one I can honestly say hadn't occurred to me. I'm so glad you stopped by and shared. Thank you.
Deletei'm totally digging the journal writing. you can put anything in a journal! good ideas!
ReplyDeleteI agree. Here's to journaling and letting it all flow out!
DeleteThis is an excellent post, Julie. I need to hang that quote above my desk because some days (okay, a lot of days) I am definitely a poser. I have to get back into the swing of things, especially with NaNoWriMo approaching.
ReplyDeleteYou've given me lots of great reminders and some new resources to help me get going. Thanks!
I need to hang it up too. I was a total poser yesterday. I just couldn't get the mojo up to do anything worthwhile! Oh yeah, NaNo is definitely a hard-core writing motivator. Too much for me, but you had fantastic tips for it in your post this week (I even referenced it in a comment above). Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteI feel more like a poser than a writer. I have too many ideas and projects, maybe I'm overwhelmed by all of them. Good post, and really got me thinking. Hopefully I'll get my act together before NaNo starts, cause I still can't decide whether or not to do it.
On one hand, with so many ideas, I bet it's hard to know where to start. On the other, wow write them down! What a rich mine to explore for the "next"project. Most days I stare at a blank page in Word and wonder if I ever had an imagination. Good for you for pursuing NaNo. I'm very impressed!
Delete