muse

Writer’s Wisdom 39

/ inkspeare

Learning from the best

As aspiring authors it is important to learn as much as we can about the craft.  There are many books about writing, genres, and writing tips.  The best source is to learn from best-selling authors who have walked the path.  With the technology these days, this is easy to do.  There are many interviews of best-selling authors in You tube and in book stores.  These interviews are full of great real tips and ideas from these authors.

Another way is to visit their websites, which are full of insights to the craft and many interesting and useful tips.  Many authors have frequently asked questions sections on their sites, which are a big help for an aspiring writer.  Many have written books on the subject, according to their own writing experience and journey.  A book that I recommend is:  How I write, by Janet Evanovich.  It is full of very important and useful information – worth every penny.

If you are serious about your writing, start learning from the best.  Take it a step further and not only read their books, but visit their sites and listen to interviews; or if you have the opportunity, go to their book signings.

Writer’s Wisdom 38

/ inkspeare

Writing your heart out

A writer’s journey is a long and lonely one.  Lonely, because of the long hours in solitary writing.  Most best-selling authors love the time they spend at book signings because they crave the social aspect of it.  Alone with your pen or computer, your mind starts running in many directions, and many times, you end up pondering your writing skills – more like questioning your writing skills.

Doubt will creep out, especially when you spend so many hours by yourself, writing.  And if you top it with handling rejections and the slow process of making money with the craft, your writer’s confidence can take a dip.  When you end up on the valley of doubt, don’t entertain those thoughts; instead, focus on the task at hand and repeat to yourself:  “I am a writer for the long run.”

A question that helps take the pressure off is:  “Who do I write for?”  When you answer the question honestly you may end up feeling relief.  For example, first, I write for my Creator, and the giver of all good things and talents.  Second, I write from the heart out, and for myself.  Third, I share my writing with readers, and appreciate any interest that they might have.

Taking this approach has helped me be less critical, patient, and a bit more focus with my writing.  I am a writer for the long run.

Writer’s Wisdom 37

/ inkspeare

The Why

There are many freelance writers and aspiring authors out there, but why do you write?  Have you ever ask yourself the question?  Do you write because is your passion?  Do you write to blow some steam off? Or maybe, to make a couple bucks online?  Maybe you feel it is something more, something that you have to do – your destiny.

Whatever your reason for writing, it must be clear to you.  Why?  Because it permeates your pages, and your readers can tell if you are serious about your writing, passionate, or just making the quick buck.  There is much writing out there that seems careless, quick, and typed in a hurry.  If you write SEO content, volume counts, but readers care about how the information is presented.

When you know your why for writing, a clear purpose translates into a better written piece.  And eventually, faithful readers who appreciate a well presented article or story.  So, if you have never asked yourself the question: “Why do I write?” –  think about it.  Maybe, the answer will surprise you.

Writer’s Wisdom 36

/ inkspeare

“Own your emotions.”

Our writing gets permeated by our feelings and emotions, no matter how impartial we attempt to be while writing a piece.  It is important to take a look at our emotions when we are writing, to see if we are not sabotaging our writing. 

Author Sue Grafton believes in writing down her emotions so she does not sabotage her work – as told in a Borders interview.  When writing a novel, she keeps a journal where she writes important details about the novel, and also about her feelings at the time.  She keeps her emotions in place with this technique. 

Our moods can affect our writing, and a way to release any negative moods is by keeping a writing  journal.  By releasing those bottled up feelings, you free your creative energy, and allow it to flow.  Own your emotions, and your Muse will love you for it!

Writer’s Wisdom 34

/ inkspeare

Stepping out of your comfort zone

There is always a genre or style where you feel “at home.”  Let’s call it your comfort zone.  Sometimes, we get too complacent and comfortable with our writing at the expense of new material, or fresh inspiration.  When our writing starts lacking freshness or feels dormant, it is time to wake it up by stepping out of our comfort zone.

By trying a different approach to a story, a different genre, or simply by reading a totally opposed subject, we give a jolt to our pen, and the gates of inspiration open.  It is easy to fall in a writing rut, but as with any routine, change it, and it will start flowing.  If you don’t, you may be opening the door to writer’s block.

Writer’s Wisdom 33

/ inkspeare

Inspiration throughout the seasons

Using the season’s for inspiration is a writer’s best tool.  What happens during the change of seasons?  Visiting places during the different seasons will spark a story, a poem, or give you the inspiration  you need to put your pen to work on your next piece.  Observing people’s behavior and interactions, the upcoming holidays or simply the colors around you, can start a brain storm.  Take advantage of nature’s way, to call in your muse.

Writer’s Wisdom 30

/ inkspeare

Writing for the Long Run

A writer’s road is long, and sometimes, full of many obstacles and rejections.  For the love of writing, you are willing to submit yourself to the long lonely hours, the cash shortage, the many trials, the not so glamorous life, and for some, carpal tunnel syndrome.

A true writer realizes that he/she is in it for the long run.  Writing is not for the impatient soul, or those who long for the quick and easy buck.  Writing takes much trial and error, a lot of editing and learning, taking criticism (and surviving your ego) – a lot of work and dedication.

In your obsession for the written word (and its long awaited rewards), you forego many things and luxuries, and money becomes a long lost goal – secondary to being published.  The writer becomes like the starving artist – hypnotized by the craft.

But suddenly he/she realizes that the path becomes sweeter, with each written piece – eternal bliss.

Writer’s Wisdom 26

/ inkspeare

Scheduling Your Writing Time

Scheduling your time to write is as important as going to work everyday, that is, if you are a serious writer.  If this is how you earn your money, then with more reason.  If you wait for inspiration, your Muse may keep you waiting for an entire day (or days), and you’ll be left without a single written word.

When you set aside a block of time for writing, your brain will start recognizing that period for what it is – writing time.  There are times when inspiration will visit you outside the scheduled time, and by all means, answer your Muse’s call.  But we are not talking here about those instances, we are talking about being disciplined with your writing.  Whatever length of time you have available, will depend on your daily schedule.  Even when you have a hectic pace of life and crazy working hours, if you manage to block even 10 minutes of writing everyday, it will help you hone your writing skills.

 But what if you can’t think of something to write about?  Sit down to write anyway, and start writing anything that comes to mind.  One word will follow the next one, and before you realize it, you will have a paragraph, a page or a couple of sentences on something.  This could become material for future writings, ideas on a theme, or a story might develop from it.

On writing, you don’t know when your next story is going to come from.  Sometimes, it is from a dream; other times, an article you read or a painting you saw. Or maybe, from the chicken scratches left at your scheduled writing time.

Happy writing!

Writer’s Wisdom 25

/ inkspeare / 2 Comments

James Patterson

Today’s spot is dedicated to James Patterson– a genius writer.  With 47 New York Times best selling titles, and more than 170 million books sold worldwide, he seems to be unstoppable and would hold the title of Muse’s King, if there was such.  Is #1 on the New York Times adult fiction and children’s chapter books best seller lists. 

His method is something out of this world.  He is known to have over 15 books going on at the same time, while working on them simultaneously.  Sometimes, doing up to 10 drafts.  He co-authors, and has mention in some interviews that he keeps a file with over three thousand ideas for books.   His outlines are 30-40 pages long; according to him, to keep him organized.  He is a writing machine! 

But not only, is he a writing machine, he is a reading machine too.  He reads 150 books a year.  James Patterson can be called the Madonna of writing; he keeps reinventing himself – and because of that, he is a target for much criticism. 

Despite his huge success as a writer, he keeps a down to earth approach, and  does not take himself to seriously; seems lay back.  He is a family man first, a writer second – although, he is well known as a prolific author. 

He is called America’s #1 Storyteller, and I happen to agree. 

 

Writer’s Wisdom 24

/ inkspeare / 2 Comments

How do you write?

Best selling author Nora Roberts shared her method to writing in an interview with Borders.

Quote:  “Well, first: There ain’t no muse. If you sit around and wait to channel the muse, you can sit around and wait a long time.” 

She believes that writing is hard work; she works really hard to make her writing “as fluid as possible, as readable and entertaining as possible.”  She writes the first draft, without editing, because according to her, she doesn’t know yet what will happen next.  Once she has down her story, she starts editing, page by page, chapter by chapter.  She pays attention to how it sounds, mistakes, emotion, and adds anything that she needs to.  Once she’s done, she goes back one more time and pays attention to language, rhythm, and that all loose ends are tied.  She makes sure that she has “been true to the story.” 

This is how magic happens to best selling author Nora Roberts.  But there is a method to her magic.  

Today my question to you is:  Are you following your own magic?