It’s funny how many varieties of ways people get into the mood to write. How often something that works for one person will not work for the next. And how many variations are out there that people use. When writing, some like to use pen and paper then move it over to the computer. I’m that person. I have notepads all over, pens all over, and I write. Sloppy, messy, part cursive and part print writing. Then I’ll move it over to the laptop when I’m done or after I’ve done a large amount. I feel like it flows better for me that way. The perfect pen, the in between of ballpoint and rollerball. Nothing that will smear as I write, since I am left-handed, and most likely the side of my hand will rub against everything I write. Something I have learned throughout the years. I prefer a thicker inked pen with a rubber grip. Something I scour the aisles of stores for, sometimes on purpose and other times just for the fun of having that perfect pen. I’ve heard of others jumping straight onto the computer, and I get that too. It would be easier in a sense so that I wouldn’t have to copy everything over, but I also find that when I copy it over it helps me catch things. But again, everyone is different and it’s fascinating. As far as the sounds around me… I’m sitting now, listening to the Deep Focus playlist on Spotify with softer instrumental music filling the living room where I type. I can’t hear voices of any kind as I write, it interferes with my own voices 😊 and so everything for me has to be exactly like this. Not silent but I can’t hear people talking. I prefer the softer sounds over anything to crazy, unless I’m writing a crazier scene and then it helps me get in the mood. However, I’ve talked to others that can have the TV on, or be in a noisy room, even listen to regular music and write with no problem. Or others must be in complete silence. Again, the multiple ways that people find their inspiration is great and interesting all. I love hearing about different ways that writers use to write. Some like to be outside vs inside or vice versa. At night versus the day; it just all differs from person to person. I know inspiration hits me at the weirdest times. I just recently found the beginning to my 3rd book as I was cleaning. It just popped into my head and I had to sit down and write. (not that I minded taking a break from cleaning) Most of the time ideas show themselves when I’m not wanting to have the inspiration…in the shower, at bedtime, in the car. And I have to either take voice notes, depending on what I’m doing at the moment, but I know if I don’t take it down right then – when I go to write it later the voice will sound different and not be as good. So, it is a rush for me to make sure I capture it all. Either way, it’s just fun to learn everyone’s habits, to see which work best for you. Maybe talking to each other and learning a new way may help you with your own habits and patterns. I’d like to hear your way of writing, be sure to leave a comment!
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Accept the support in all ways that you get it. People don’t have to read your book or your writings to support you. I’ve learned that. I used to think that if someone didn’t read my book, that they weren’t interested in what I was doing. But some people just aren’t readers, or what you’re writing isn’t their favorite genre, however that doesn’t mean that they don’t support what you’re doing. Some of the closest people to me haven’t read my book and that’s okay. What I know is that they’re all there for me. When I announced that I was getting published all I received were positive responses and congratulations. They were proud of me for pursuing my dreams and for never giving up. That was enough to make me happy. As writers, sometimes just the push from those that care about us or love us is what we need to remind us that we’re doing what we love. It can get so rough, lonely even, when you’re lost in your thoughts all the time. And it feels like the only confirmation or affirmation is that people are reading your completed books, but even the simple push of motivation or a ‘don’t stop’ comment can come in real helpful when you are deep into the writing process because there are so many times that you want to start over, that you feel your writing is straight up crap, or that you aren’t going to get anywhere with it. So, the simple comments of appreciation and motivation are welcomed. I’m realizing that after this new journey, and right now that I’m on deadlines for the first time in my writing career and taking such a huge leap in this section of my life. And something that anyone smack dab in the middle of writing, or even right at the beginning, or the end of it all. This is not a career decision for just anyone and not something that anyone can do. To give into it and offer so much time and energy, a sweet pat on the back can be the make or break it motivation we all need. Incredible things are on the horizon in my future and I’m grateful for the path that has led me here. So many of us travel through great lengths, jump through nearly impossible hoops, and barely crawl over those high set hurdles. We think that there’s never an end in sight, or that if there is this so-called light at the end of the tunnel, that we may never reach it. However, I’m seeing, finally after a long while that the light is there, and it is something that can be reached. Goals are set, and so frequently they get pushed aside or away completely for life. Because plans hardly ever get accomplished as we expect them to, just as an outline to a book where the characters are taking charge. Page one of those plans gets tossed out the window, because something new has been placed in front of us to get over before we can even start. That’s how it has felt for a long while now for me, anyway. In 2011, I had a dream…yes really; a dream. It was the beginning phase of this novel I’ve been working on since then. I’ve been writing all my life. Poems started it off, a way to get emotions off my chest. And then from there I attempted child-like short stories. But in 2011, it was then that I dreamt about my main characters and the story that followed. As I’ve posted in other blog posts of mine, I rushed, which was a big mistake, and I learned my lesson from it. I shoved it out there without properly going back over it, without a proper editor, and without realizing how badly it needed a great cover and SO MANY corrections. So, I set out to redo it, update it, however you want to say it. With many cover concepts later, I thought I had done it! Finally fixed the story, yet the cover never felt right… But I had gone through an editor, even hired a ghost writer to assist with expanding on details and helping me find a way to change it with keeping the original story. That’s what we did, and in the end, I was back in love with my book and with the story! However, when I put the book back out, the sales were way down compared to the first time I tried and I realized that perhaps attempting again may not have been the best for my novel but I would continue with the story because my characters deserved it. Then just a few months ago, I found a home for my novel. It was accepted by a publisher, and a new cover that spoke volumes about the story itself was put together. It brought back that excitement for the story and for the work itself. I was ready to really write and to get myself out there again. It is in this moment that I realize even more what it means to not give up, don’t quit on your dreams, because eventually they will become reality. There are so many reasons, but I will only name three things here. Writing can be so complicated, especially when you want to take it steps further to set up a blog, or write a novel. And it gets even more complicated when writing is something that you are meant to do, something you’ve been doing all your life and you can’t get away from it. Either way, we all have those reasons and here are mine…
Not only is it the fact that my voices pick the most inopportune time, but there is the whole fact that I can hear voices at all. I’m sure most writers understand this, because I have spoken to others that hear the voices as well. They nag you until you actually start writing their story. Or if a specific scene is meant to happen, they put images in your head and tell you to write NOW. It doesn’t go away until it has been written. And although, these voices are in my head, making me write; I usually don’t mind them. This reminds that I can tell stories, and each time I have that dream or hear that nagging voice: I know that means that I’ll have a new story to tell. That makes me happy.
Although, no one can really complain, because in the end it is these stories that we are picking up and reading and losing ourselves in. Getting lost in a new world, a new love, or a new villain. Without us being just a wee bit crazy, we wouldn’t be able to sit down and get these stories out for everyone else. So, there are sacrifices we have to make, but for us it’s life. It’s fun, and entertaining at ALL times. |
AuthorTiffany Heiser Archives
February 2020
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