Cassy's Corner- Writing Times and Techniques
How do you write? When do you write?
Today I am interested in hearing about how and where you write. Next week we’ll tackle the “tools of writing.” Simple things that can make our day. That is, if we’ve figured out where our match is.
Talking with my writing buddies, I've discovered that each of us has developed an approach to our writing that uniquely suits our own style and temperament. I have one friend who can write at soccer games, baseball practice and waiting in the car for kids to spill out of school. I have another buddy who sits at a Starbucks or a local diner “paying” for the privilege of the table with hefty tips. She claims it’s a lot cheaper than renting office space.
We all know the stories our colleagues tell. I’ve canvassed a few:
- I love the noise of the coffee house; it helps me concentrate.
- I put my iPod ear buds in and the music helps me focus on my work.
- I have different music I play for the different kinds of scenes I write. It helps me with the right mood.
- I get up early so I can get 3 pages written before the kids and my husband are needing my time. Then I get ready for work.
- I write late at night after tucking both the kids and my husband in, then it’s my turn. If I get 500 words written, I’m thrilled.
- I shower, get dressed in pretty clothes, put on the whole make-up deal, then begin writing. It might take all day. But I can’t even start without being ready to face the world. Yes, it’s just my world, but I need to do that.
- I live in my sweats. No make up, hair pulled back in a pony tail, maybe not even a shower until later in the day. When it’s time to write, that is the moment I can’t lose.
- I only write on deadline. Without that. Phew. There is so much in the way I have trouble with the discipline. So, bring on the calendar and tell me when I hit the “send” button.
- Don’t use my name. I have periods of down time at my job. I confess to sneaking time to write. I look busy. No one knows what I’m typing and I end up with a few extra pages.
For me? I can’t take any noise, any distraction, any fuss. No music. No email. No dogs begging for just one more bone. Nothing. It is so noisy inside my head I can’t handle any additions to the cacophony. If I were a cat (God, help me, for I am highly allergic to the little buggers), I’d use examples such as needing time to sniff my territory, sharpen pencils, make tea, circle twice around the fluffy pillow (except mine is a warm wrap that I love around my shoulders) and finally settling in. This is about setting up the moment, then off I go.
I need the rituals of getting ready. Knowing this is my time to put my words on the screen. Time that is like putting the "Do Not Disturb" sign outside the door.
What are your experiences? What works for you? I’d love to hear your stories. We are in a crazy business and each of us has come down a different path. Making it work for you is knowing what really does work for you. Then, after that, we can begin the plotting, the pacing, the sagging middle, and typing THE END. Next? Well, we start again.
12 comments:
I like to sit in my van, in a parking lot, and write. I know this sounds really strange, but that's how I wrote my first and second novel~during my four kids sports practice. It's become a ritual when I have a crucial scene to write.
LOl Tonya...it must be mom's with 4 kids...cuz I write in my van, too, while they are at practice. It's quiet, there's nothing else to do, and I'm stuck there. It ends up being very productive :-)
I basically need quiet. I usually sit at home in my laundry room, that's where my computer is. Or if it's a pretty day, I'll take my laptop and go sit on the deck. I find the outside inspiring, but my laptop isn't as easy to navigate. I hate my laptop mouse. I rarely use music when writing.
I also sit in my car and write at football practices, but if I can't put the windows up, it's slow going because I get distracted by the noise.
You folks are amazing! I have tried to write outdoors- did I tell you the story about the spiders? Eggs must have been laid in my computer on one of my "try to write on the terrace" moments. Well two days later I was on a plane to somewhere. Jon was reading next to me. As the laptop heated up, these little micro green spiders came pouring out of the keyboard. I squealed and started slapping them. Jon got laughing so hard he dropped his book. Somehow I didn't find it as funny as he, especially when I was positive I had some down my blouse. The people sitting across the aisle on the plane kept trying to not look at us. But it might have been the first time they watched a woman beat up her computer.
Great topic, Cassy. Like you and Anita, I need absolute quiet as I am so easily distracted. If my husband is in the house, forget it! Even if he's on the other side of the house- forget it. I know he will come in at least once or twice with, "What are we eating for lunch?" or "Do you know where I put the so and so?" I want to scream - "I'm killing someone here. Do you mind?" Actually I have said that, and his good intentions lasts two or three days, if I'm lucky.
But I can't blame my procrastination on him. Right now I'm in a writing funk...again! I've diagnosed it as "not knowing where I'm going next" syndrome. For my last book, I had to jump out of sequence and write later chapters until the middle came to me. That's what Ill probably have to do again.
And writing in a van - I've done that. Starbuck's -no way. Too noisy and I'm too nosy. Since I write long-hand, it's easier to write in out-of-the-way places.
I can't write at home, to many distractions but have no problem at Starbucks or work.
Isn't it funny how different we all are, but we still get those words on the page. Next week I'm going to talk about the tools we use to write. Start thinking about what works for you. Yes, Liz, you can tell us about your pencil sharpener!
Cassy don't you know that thinking for some of us can be dangerous.
Okay...what are some of you doing up at 4 a.m.? I thought I was bad and I'm at my computer writing at 5 in the morning. With three kids, a needy dog and an interrupting hubby (same as you Liz...where's this, have you seen that?), it's the best way for me to get my pages in.
Besides, I'm a morning person--love the stillness in the house and all the quiet--so I'm most productive then. I write in my postage stamp of an office, a pretty space without windows..closes me off from the outside world, so there are no distractions. I've never written in my truck, but I suspect that will change when my kids get old enough to be in a bunch of different activities. :-D
Coreene: I laughed when I saw your comment. Yup, we are a bunch of early birds. I confess today was earlier than usual for I started about 2:45. You are so right about the quiet house. I love it. Even my demanding dogs go back to bed after they are sure they aren't missing any good action.
As I said earlier, I need to be at my desk surrounded by quiet. I am so impressed with you who can keep the words flowing no matter where you sit.
Cassy if you're the early bird at 2:45 then I must be the late bird. I usually go to bed between 3-4am and get up around 10:30.
I used to hate when I was in the groove and I had to stop and go get ready for work. Or I was working away and think okay I really need to get in bed so I can get to work tomorrow. I worked an evening shift 3-11 pm and two overnights. I started sneaking my laptop to work to try and work there. That was not easy in a convenience store either.
NOw I can write when my sister is busy somewhere else. Otherwise she is in and out of the living room (her house by the way) yapping at me or trying to talk to me from the kitchen. If she is gone or out in the den working on something or watching Tv then I can write. I even get in writing at my niece's house sometimes when we go over there. I know I can get in my car and go somewhere else and write on the laptop but it doesn't seem as convenient as plopping down in front of my desktop and writing. So I manage to write when I can. I'm still making word counts but it is frustrating.
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