All authors need writer tools (Or should I say crutches?) to give them a boost when their writing is not going well. In my case, make that twelve. Twelve little crutches to support me as I limp through “The Between,” from creating to publishing my work.
- Morning Journal. First thing every morning, I write in my journal. It’s like breathing for me. Most often I start by reading something inspiring from a magazine, such as Science of Mind, Oprah, Science of Mind, or Writer’s Digest. Next, I scan the newspaper. Then I write whatever comes to mind. I’ve come up with some of my best story ideas this way. Great resources for morning pages are The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.
- Power naps. I take naps. Yep. Each and every day, I work a nap into my schedule. To give my brain a rest, you see. I wake up refreshed and ready to take on a new challenge. Sometimes I even dream up a novel idea. For more on napping go to Power Napping for Increased Productivity at About.com.
- Walking. Another way I get story ideas and solve plotting problems is by walking. Don’t ask me how. Don’t ask me why. I just keep plodding along with a goal of success in my mind. When I least expect it (usually during the third mile), ideas come out of nowhere, so fast that I have to stop and write them down (that’s why I always have index cards and a pencil in my fanny pack). Walking also puts things into perspective. When I return home from my 3-mile walk, I no longer feel anxious and afraid, but ready to get back to writing. See How Walking Can Increase Creativity.
- Reading. Where would I be without books on craft? They are my teachers, my guides, and my mentors, there whenever I need them to solve a problem or to inspire. Every Friday on this blog, I do a book talk where I share some of my favorite books. Examples: Manuscript Makeover and The 3 A.M. Epiphany.
- Critique Groups. I’m fortunate to be a member of two critique groups, one for nine years and one for four. We meet once a month, to workshop and to inspire. For more information go to Join A Critique Group to Get Your Writing Going, at Right-Writing.com.
- Writing Instruction Classes. Early 2010, I completed the requirements for a creative writing certificate through UC Davis Extension. In a previous post, UC Davis Extension Creative Writing Courses, I share my awesome experience.
- Blogging/Social Media. I explain in previous post, Why Blog, and Me Blog?, that there are opportunities to grow as a writer and also connect with one’s current and future readers through blogging and social media. I’ve become addicted. Good? Bad? Only time will tell.
- Writer’s Conferences. As a result of attending writer’s conferences over the years, I have: pitched agents and received submission requests for my novels; won critiques of my novels’ pages; connected with and learned from other writers; and met critique partners.
- Coffee Shops and Bookstores. Sometimes a writer just needs a change of scenery to get the juices flowing again, especially during revisions. I’m grateful for the space these establishments offer their patrons. Thanks Starbucks. Thanks Barnes and Nobles.
- Faithful Readers. If it weren’t for my eight trusted readers (Kathy, Moira, Sandra, Marianne, Kate, Elsie, Christine, and my deceased mother), who aren’t afraid to give me their honest opinions, I would not have completed four novels. Writing is a lonely business. Writers need feedback and encouragement. “Keep going. You can’t quit now.” And then, there are of course my faithful blog readers. You have no idea how much your comments are appreciated.
- Contests. I’m talking about contests where you can win without winning, contests that give you valuable feedback, and contests that are free! Read about my experience with The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award at: UC Davis Extension Creative Writing Courses.
- My Family, who forgives me for the time I spend writing and rewriting and promising, “I’m almost done. Bear with me, I’m almost done.”
What is essential to your life as a writer? Can you name six essential writer tools?
As always, thanks for stopping by,
Excellent tools Margaret!! I had not heard of Right writing and am looking for a critique group. Thx so much for posting!
Great list Margaret!!
Six essentials to your life as a writer…okay here goes:
REWRITING OLD MATERIAL…Since I had my vision to become a children's writer some years ago much of my early stuff lay dormant in a file cabinet. I found going through this stuff to be an excellent exercise for getting my feet wet again with my creative side. I considered this to ike brushing up on an old lost skill tactic.
BOOK IDEAS… I, like you, will get an idea from out of nowhere; while cleaning the house, paying the bills, riding my exericse bike,…so I use a tape recorder to notate my general thoughts for another time to develop.
SOCIAL NETWORKING/BLOGGING… It's funny how I never thought something like this would be appealing to me, but I thoroughly enjoy it and it helps me to express my writing style. The world wide web has provided a creative outlet for me to meet others and to perfect my story telling in the same instance. Am I to thank Al Gore or Tim Berners-Lee(the Father of the Internet)for this?
DREAMING… I wouldn't say my dreams inspire my writing of stories, but on rare occasions an idea may be formed. However, what I found during the stillness of the night my dreams have a way of working through a current story which allows me to piece it together.
LIFE IN GENERAL…Most of my essentials for writing are formed from life. I write about things I know not the unknown. This gives me a greater connection to my story.
GOING AGAINST THE ODDS…This drives me to excel as a writer. My family has a deep belief in me and this places desire in my heart to reach beyond my limitations. We, authors, know there are many out there, too. If I'm able to overcome the odds, then they, my children, will have to follow that lead or at least, I'd like to think they will. In the end, though, I am doing this because I truly enjoy it and want it for myself.
GOD… Yep, I'm a spiritual person. I ask often for His direction and success in my writing. I trust the Almighty to give me wisdom to form words in a way which will delight young readers minds. I seek Him to lead me to others who can help me and where I can help them. Two strangers both mutually benefiting from the others help while building a friendship in the process. Now that's cool.
Each of our writing essentials will be different or somewhat similiar, but whatever they are then we can all benefit from other's discoveries which work.
Hi SS. I don't know what I would have done without my two critique groups over the years to help point out how and where I was going wrong and to inspire me to keep on writing. Good luck in your search.
Thanks Tonya.
Hi Cathy.
What a great list. I like how you say that social mediate is a creative outlet and helps you express your writing style. So true. And going against the odds. And God. These, indeed, work. Thanks for sharing.
wonderful tools Margaret!
when i wake up in the morning i write my 3 pages as per the writing way.
throughout the day, i make sure to read things that inspire me, that challenge the way i think and then i am able to grow and express that in a new way on the page.
also, there are some amazing tips in Writing down the bones…by natalie goldman it's a good one!
Hi Patricia. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. I have to get back to 3 pages per day. And I will. Believe it or not (I think you will), this blogging business takes up a lot of time. Reading is no problem. That's easy for me. Right now I'm reading Veronica by Mary Gaitskill. Talk about inspiring. Mary challenges me to come up with unique ways to describe characters. She blows me away. I plan to re-read Writing Down the Bones soon. It's been so long.
I do most of things also, maybe not in the exact order. The phyiscal movement is the best for me. I run early in the morning, training for a 5K, and it's amazing what pops up in mind, stories, plot points, GMC, and whatever. It is therapy. I read and listen to audio books and from them I pick descriptions and dialogue. It is part of the writers life.
Hi Lee. Training for a 5K? That's impressive. And then the extra bonus of getting story ideas to boot. Yes, it does amaze me what pops into the mind during exercise. I haven't tired the audio books yet, since I don't spend much time in my car and when I walk, I like to enjoy the sounds of nature.
The two lists from this post and the comments are both good. It's is true that writing can come to a halt, and you need breaks, need change of scenery. I am better at writing about life in general, because it comes more natural to me. Thanks for the list Margaret.
His SS. Writing about life in general can be wonderfully freeing, but it means you have to pay attention to what's going on around you, something I often neglect to do, with my head in a fictional world much of the time.