Writer's Survival Guide 29: What's in Your Survival Kit?
As a writer, I have a lot of tricks to keep me writing. My laptop, chocolate, cute pens, my idea journal, my ginormous thesaurus--and coffee! So naturally, I'm curious about your tricks.
Tell me, what are the essentials in YOUR writer's survival kit?
Have an awesome Monday!
Showing posts with label tips for aspiring writers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips for aspiring writers. Show all posts
Monday, November 5, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Improve, Stagnate, or Decline: WSG 28
Writer's Survival Guide 28: Improve, Stagnate, or Decline
My favorite NFL team is the Detroit Lions. For the last two decades, the Lions struggled. They rotated through coaches, players, and they could not find a way to win. Every season ended with frustration. Fans wondered why? Why can't this team get it together and win?
Coach Jim Schwartz took over four years ago. He brought a fresh enthusiasm to the role, and, with a first round, first pick quarterback--Matthew Stafford--fans waited in hopeful anticipation that the Lions would turn around.
They did.
It took time, patience in the face of injuries, more smart draft picks, but last season, the Lions actually made it to the playoffs. It looked as if the rough years were finally behind them. Surely, they would continue to improve, to advance, and maybe even make it to the Superbowl at some point?
This season the Lions are struggling. They're plagued by penalties and they don't look like a cohesive unit. Many experts say the team lacks discipline at the coaching level. Off the field, there have been arrests and poor behavior. Needless to say, if a team can't win games, it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for them to make it to the playoffs this year.
Football is a tough sport. Many factors go into what makes a winning team. And nothing guarantees they keep their spot at or near the top.
Writers face the same challenges. Whether we, like the Lions, struggle for years before finding success, or we find success quickly, we have to mentally outfit ourselves to write strong.
One writing myth is that at some point we won't have to work as hard. We'll "write that perfect first draft" or, since readers loved our last book, they'll automatically love our subsequent books. This is dangerous thinking. We, like football teams, have to continuously work hard to make our books shine. We have to be disciplined, humble yet confident, and we can't take anything for granted or we risk stagnating and declining.
Writers have to push themselves to continue advancing in their career.
We can never get complacent with our writing. Writing shouldn't be easy. Each book should challenge us--force us to examine exactly why we're writing it.
I'm not saying writing isn't fun, rewarding, or any other wonderful things. It is. But if we stop examining our work for good plot structure, conflict, pace, grammar, and characterization because we think the work we did in the past was good enough, well, we're on our way to stagnating and declining.
Every book gives us a chance to improve our writing.
What do you think? Is there ever a time we can stop examining our books and still be assured they're good?
Have a terrific day!
My favorite NFL team is the Detroit Lions. For the last two decades, the Lions struggled. They rotated through coaches, players, and they could not find a way to win. Every season ended with frustration. Fans wondered why? Why can't this team get it together and win?
Coach Jim Schwartz took over four years ago. He brought a fresh enthusiasm to the role, and, with a first round, first pick quarterback--Matthew Stafford--fans waited in hopeful anticipation that the Lions would turn around.
They did.
It took time, patience in the face of injuries, more smart draft picks, but last season, the Lions actually made it to the playoffs. It looked as if the rough years were finally behind them. Surely, they would continue to improve, to advance, and maybe even make it to the Superbowl at some point?
This season the Lions are struggling. They're plagued by penalties and they don't look like a cohesive unit. Many experts say the team lacks discipline at the coaching level. Off the field, there have been arrests and poor behavior. Needless to say, if a team can't win games, it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for them to make it to the playoffs this year.
Football is a tough sport. Many factors go into what makes a winning team. And nothing guarantees they keep their spot at or near the top.
Writers face the same challenges. Whether we, like the Lions, struggle for years before finding success, or we find success quickly, we have to mentally outfit ourselves to write strong.
One writing myth is that at some point we won't have to work as hard. We'll "write that perfect first draft" or, since readers loved our last book, they'll automatically love our subsequent books. This is dangerous thinking. We, like football teams, have to continuously work hard to make our books shine. We have to be disciplined, humble yet confident, and we can't take anything for granted or we risk stagnating and declining.
Writers have to push themselves to continue advancing in their career.
We can never get complacent with our writing. Writing shouldn't be easy. Each book should challenge us--force us to examine exactly why we're writing it.
I'm not saying writing isn't fun, rewarding, or any other wonderful things. It is. But if we stop examining our work for good plot structure, conflict, pace, grammar, and characterization because we think the work we did in the past was good enough, well, we're on our way to stagnating and declining.
Every book gives us a chance to improve our writing.
What do you think? Is there ever a time we can stop examining our books and still be assured they're good?
Have a terrific day!
Monday, August 27, 2012
WSG 21: Let's Pretend
Writer's Survival Guide 21: Let's Pretend
Last week, I reclaimed my home office. I'm incredibly blessed to have dedicated space just for my writing. In the summers, I usually take my work downstairs, on account of our dog and the kids. We don't allow our mini-dachshund upstairs unless the doors are closed since she can hide under beds and be naughty.
However, when school is back in, I close the bedroom doors and allow Sophie upstairs.
So I was sitting at my desk, reveling in the awesomeness that is my large desk, my pencil holder, my printer, my closet full of books and office supplies, and my comfy chair (notice how selfish I sound? After years and years of sharing everything with my kids, I'm embracing the selfishness!), and I looked out the two corner windows (two!!). I saw trees towering in the distance, and I thought it would be terribly easy to pretend I'm in Colorado or somewhere mountainous.
Let me clarify. I live in a very flat part of the earth. We may have an occasional hill, but nothing our vehicles would strain to climb. Mountains are as exotic as palm trees here.
But squinting at the tree line, it was simple to transplant my house out west. And when I did, it was even easier to imagine I could drive to Pike's Peak this afternoon. Maybe even pull over and grab a handful of red clay so prevalent in the area? Catch a rodeo this weekend. Head to Denver and possibly see snowflakes in August.
Then I shook my head back to reality. And I smiled.
Playing "let's pretend" is a vital part of my life as a writer. It's the starting point of every story. It's what flows through my brain during first drafts. It's always happening--whether I'm at home, standing in line at a store, or hiking in a park. I don't think I can turn off "let's pretend"! I wouldn't want to. There's nothing like spending a few minutes pretending to be somewhere else, someone I'm not, a different species--anything that comes to mind.
How important is "Let's Pretend" in your life?
Have a lovely Monday!
Last week, I reclaimed my home office. I'm incredibly blessed to have dedicated space just for my writing. In the summers, I usually take my work downstairs, on account of our dog and the kids. We don't allow our mini-dachshund upstairs unless the doors are closed since she can hide under beds and be naughty.
However, when school is back in, I close the bedroom doors and allow Sophie upstairs.
So I was sitting at my desk, reveling in the awesomeness that is my large desk, my pencil holder, my printer, my closet full of books and office supplies, and my comfy chair (notice how selfish I sound? After years and years of sharing everything with my kids, I'm embracing the selfishness!), and I looked out the two corner windows (two!!). I saw trees towering in the distance, and I thought it would be terribly easy to pretend I'm in Colorado or somewhere mountainous.
Let me clarify. I live in a very flat part of the earth. We may have an occasional hill, but nothing our vehicles would strain to climb. Mountains are as exotic as palm trees here.
But squinting at the tree line, it was simple to transplant my house out west. And when I did, it was even easier to imagine I could drive to Pike's Peak this afternoon. Maybe even pull over and grab a handful of red clay so prevalent in the area? Catch a rodeo this weekend. Head to Denver and possibly see snowflakes in August.
Then I shook my head back to reality. And I smiled.
Playing "let's pretend" is a vital part of my life as a writer. It's the starting point of every story. It's what flows through my brain during first drafts. It's always happening--whether I'm at home, standing in line at a store, or hiking in a park. I don't think I can turn off "let's pretend"! I wouldn't want to. There's nothing like spending a few minutes pretending to be somewhere else, someone I'm not, a different species--anything that comes to mind.
How important is "Let's Pretend" in your life?
Have a lovely Monday!
Monday, August 13, 2012
WSG 19: The Flower Factor
Writer's Survival Guide 19: The Flower Factor
I recently spent eight weeks writing a first draft. I spent the next eight weeks revising the book. In between were countless blog posts, Facebook updates, Tweets, and e-mails. Writing is my job, and I love it! But, as with any job, I have to work at maintaining my enthusiasm. I can all too easily convince myself the book isn't good, when the reality is that I'm just not in a good mood.
My first drafts remind me of buds. The potential is there, but they haven't erupted and aren't ready to offer their full beauty. I'm usually not overwhelmed at this point. Coffee and excitement over the new project keeps my stem upright and strong. I want to see the bloom, so I keep working until the draft is done.
These water flowers represent my mood when revising. I know something stunning is there, but it might be hiding under a leaf or drowning in water. I feel wilted. Waterlogged. Surrounded by too many words. I have to look for the beauty. It's not as in my face.
Then there are the disappointments. Maybe we submit to an agent, checking our e-mails constantly, only to realize six weeks later "no response means no." Or we wait by the telephone, praying our manuscript is a finalist in a contest, but we don't get that call. Maybe we get rejected by editors, get a scathing critique...any discouraging news can make us feel we have a dead bouquet in our hands. Yes, it was pretty two weeks ago, but now it's a shriveled up, ugly mess.
That's why confidence is so vital for every writer. If we're going to survive, we have to look at all of our books, stories, articles as vibrant objects of beauty. My first books were not worthy of being published, but they are as beautiful to me as this rose. All of my books are. They came from the best part of me, and that's what will always make them so special, so stunning.
The flower factor means always respecting our work. It IS beautiful.
Do you struggle to view your writing in a positive light at times? How do you overcome this?
Enjoy our Monday!
I recently spent eight weeks writing a first draft. I spent the next eight weeks revising the book. In between were countless blog posts, Facebook updates, Tweets, and e-mails. Writing is my job, and I love it! But, as with any job, I have to work at maintaining my enthusiasm. I can all too easily convince myself the book isn't good, when the reality is that I'm just not in a good mood.
My first drafts remind me of buds. The potential is there, but they haven't erupted and aren't ready to offer their full beauty. I'm usually not overwhelmed at this point. Coffee and excitement over the new project keeps my stem upright and strong. I want to see the bloom, so I keep working until the draft is done.
These water flowers represent my mood when revising. I know something stunning is there, but it might be hiding under a leaf or drowning in water. I feel wilted. Waterlogged. Surrounded by too many words. I have to look for the beauty. It's not as in my face.
Then there are the disappointments. Maybe we submit to an agent, checking our e-mails constantly, only to realize six weeks later "no response means no." Or we wait by the telephone, praying our manuscript is a finalist in a contest, but we don't get that call. Maybe we get rejected by editors, get a scathing critique...any discouraging news can make us feel we have a dead bouquet in our hands. Yes, it was pretty two weeks ago, but now it's a shriveled up, ugly mess.
That's why confidence is so vital for every writer. If we're going to survive, we have to look at all of our books, stories, articles as vibrant objects of beauty. My first books were not worthy of being published, but they are as beautiful to me as this rose. All of my books are. They came from the best part of me, and that's what will always make them so special, so stunning.
The flower factor means always respecting our work. It IS beautiful.
Do you struggle to view your writing in a positive light at times? How do you overcome this?
Enjoy our Monday!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Revising: My Evolution
There was a time the term "revising" sent fire ants marching up and down my spine. It meant the fun part--the actual writing--was over, replaced by the mind-numbing, toe-curling nightmare of trying to gel my initial vision. I had no idea where to begin, and when I did throw myself into the draft, within two days my focus fled and I found myself trying to fix everything at once. No amount of Slurpees, chocolate, or "Best and Worst Beach Bodies" rag mags could erase the panic that set in.
There was also a time--a much earlier time--when I didn't think revising was a big deal. Well, let me back up...way back to my first novel. The one I wrote in four weeks. The one that induced champagne bubbles of joy in me every time I thought about it. It was the one that would get published. Of course. Of course!
The word revise seemed vague. After all, I'd written a good book, in logical order, with fabulous characters, a killer setting, and a finale to die for. Revise? What, like spell check and make sure I didn't misplace any commas?
Oh (insert laughter...sad, nonjoyous laughter), those were the days. Yes, I ran the spell-checker and read the book through for grammar issues.
And that was about it.
(Dear editor who had the misfortune to pick my book off the slush pile--I'm sorry. I owe you dinner.)
Okay, so book two got the full revision treatment, right?
Nope. Wrong again! It wasn't until I was writing book four that I discovered the blog community. I read cool terms like "critique partners," and "craft books." Black Moment? What on earth is a black moment? Yes, I was the Rumpelstiltskin of the modern aspiring author age.
But time went on, and I purchased, read, and studied craft books. I found critique partners. I studied blogs, and I kept writing...and revising.
During this phase (see above reference to fire ants), I mistakenly thought I would somehow find the magic formula to be able to skip revising. I thought I would get to a point where I would write the perfect first draft. Revising no longer took one week. It went on for weeks, sometimes months. And it hurt. It bothered me I was not executing the way I wanted to.
Why couldn't I just be a good writer? Why couldn't I get it right the first time?
Fast forward to now.
Revising, for me, isn't something I'll someday be able to skip. But it's no longer torture, either. Actually, I enjoy it. I've accepted that I will NEVER write a perfect first draft. Revising is simply house-cleaning and decorating now. Sure, scrubbing the toilets isn't my favorite thing, but I like to spend time in a neat, tidy home, and someone has to clean it.
For any of you confused or frustrated by revising, I am nodding, high-fiving, and giving you a hug. I've been there. We all have our strengths, and evaluating a manuscript--mine or someone else's--has become one of mine. I've spent years polishing a system of revising that produces a quality manuscript, and I continue to pick up tips and practice new strategies. If I can do it, you can to!
How do you feel about revising?
The lovely Cheryl Reif is featuring my blog as her "blog of the week." How nice is that? I always learn something from the talented Ms. Reif, and I hope you'll stop by her blog, Cheryl Reif Writes, and check her out.
Have a fun weekend!
There was also a time--a much earlier time--when I didn't think revising was a big deal. Well, let me back up...way back to my first novel. The one I wrote in four weeks. The one that induced champagne bubbles of joy in me every time I thought about it. It was the one that would get published. Of course. Of course!
The word revise seemed vague. After all, I'd written a good book, in logical order, with fabulous characters, a killer setting, and a finale to die for. Revise? What, like spell check and make sure I didn't misplace any commas?
Oh (insert laughter...sad, nonjoyous laughter), those were the days. Yes, I ran the spell-checker and read the book through for grammar issues.
And that was about it.
(Dear editor who had the misfortune to pick my book off the slush pile--I'm sorry. I owe you dinner.)
Okay, so book two got the full revision treatment, right?
Nope. Wrong again! It wasn't until I was writing book four that I discovered the blog community. I read cool terms like "critique partners," and "craft books." Black Moment? What on earth is a black moment? Yes, I was the Rumpelstiltskin of the modern aspiring author age.
But time went on, and I purchased, read, and studied craft books. I found critique partners. I studied blogs, and I kept writing...and revising.
During this phase (see above reference to fire ants), I mistakenly thought I would somehow find the magic formula to be able to skip revising. I thought I would get to a point where I would write the perfect first draft. Revising no longer took one week. It went on for weeks, sometimes months. And it hurt. It bothered me I was not executing the way I wanted to.
Why couldn't I just be a good writer? Why couldn't I get it right the first time?
Fast forward to now.
Revising, for me, isn't something I'll someday be able to skip. But it's no longer torture, either. Actually, I enjoy it. I've accepted that I will NEVER write a perfect first draft. Revising is simply house-cleaning and decorating now. Sure, scrubbing the toilets isn't my favorite thing, but I like to spend time in a neat, tidy home, and someone has to clean it.
For any of you confused or frustrated by revising, I am nodding, high-fiving, and giving you a hug. I've been there. We all have our strengths, and evaluating a manuscript--mine or someone else's--has become one of mine. I've spent years polishing a system of revising that produces a quality manuscript, and I continue to pick up tips and practice new strategies. If I can do it, you can to!
How do you feel about revising?
The lovely Cheryl Reif is featuring my blog as her "blog of the week." How nice is that? I always learn something from the talented Ms. Reif, and I hope you'll stop by her blog, Cheryl Reif Writes, and check her out.
Have a fun weekend!
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