As part of The Writing Process Blogging Tour, I’ve been asked by Lotte Lane – Writer, Awesomeiser & Chronic Over Sharer (her words not mine) to talk about what my writing process is.
A common expression found on all writers faces right before a deadline
To be honest I’m not fond of the term “Writing Process”. It makes my work – and for me writing is work – sound a bit airy fairy and I’m not a supporter of creative snobbery. It drains all the fun out of writing and clouds a simple fact that all writers know and anyone who wants to be a writer should know before they start: writing is hard work. The best writing comes from hours, days, months and years of practice.
I could go on for hours about the intricacies of drafting, editing, proof reading and so forth, but you’d probably start dozing off shortly before I drone myself to sleep. Instead I’m going to share the simple way I approach my writing on a daily basis:
- I write a list of what I need to accomplish by the end of the day
- I sit down at the computer
- I start writing
- I proofread it (really quickly if I’m about to smash into a deadline)
- I tick off each point of my list as I achieve it
If you were expecting a long list of steps I take in order to pull inspiration out from the mush that is my brain then you’re reading the wrong post. It took me years to realise that when I took away all the literature and jargon about writing that I’d read, when it came down to it I had to just sit down and start writing.
Go on smart arse…write something…I double dare you!
Writing is fun…but it is hard
Any writer whether they are famous, successful, struggling, comfortable or otherwise is a liar if they ever say they find writing easy. I have yet to meet a screenwriter, author, playwright or journalist who tells me that they find the whole process a walk in the park. When I attend literature events, writing meetings or conferences the one thing I always find comforting is that common denominator that all writers share; it is hard work.
Perversely I like hard work.
Oh there are times when I can literally spew what I think is the most amazing prose onto the page and you have to physically drag me away from the laptop to get me to stop. There are other times (and these occur more often) when I have to force myself to sit down and write what I need to write before allowing myself to walk away. In both cases I almost always have to go back and edit.
Different methods for different people
It is fascinating talking to other writers and authors as everyone has their own little quirks, rituals and ways of doing things. I met a writer at a conference two weeks ago who told me she cannot write anything until she’s had precisely one and a half bowls of Honey Nut Loops and half a mug of tea with exactly two teaspoonfuls of sugar…irrespective of what time of the day it was. I think she suffers from severe OCD (and is possibly diabetic), but as I wash my hands at least 50 times a day despite them already being clean, who am I to judge?
But she still has to sit herself down and start writing. That is the key to my process and to virtually every other writer’s process.
I PASS THE BATON onto:
Kenechi is a published writer and author of “Aversion” part of the successful “The Mentalist” series. She lives and works in London and enjoys writing fantasy/paranormal and science fiction. She hates the cold and is still working on trying to learn how to hibernate successfully during the winter. You can read more about her on her blog or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KenechiUdogu
THIS WEEKS FUN FREEBIE!
What I have learnt from my own ‘writing process’
- READ – I have to read as much as I write. As I love reading this works out well…unless a deadline is looming
- Rituals and quirks are fine as long as they help you sit down and write
- You have to sit down and write
- Writers block only exists in your head…so beat it to death and start writing (metaphorically speaking of course – don’t start smashing your head against a wall. That would be weird. Possibly painful.)
- You can always edit later
- You can’t edit a blank page
- You can edit total crap
- A good editor is my best friend, even when they make me cry like a 2 year old
- Tea is my frenemy
- Cutting grass helps me think on my rare days off
- I like lists
