View Full Version : Writers - writing
Gardenarian
2-7-14, 3:00pm
I know there are a lot of writers here. I'd love to hear from you all about your writing.
Why are you inspired to write?
Do you feel like writing is what you were born to do?
Do you write every day? (I don't mean journal writing, I mean working on a story, book, blog or whatever you consider your 'real' writing.)
Do you do a lot of revising?
Have you taken classes in writing, or do you belong to a writing group?
Do you every feel like you are a totally mediocre writer, that there are too many books in the world already, and maybe you should do something else?
I write fiction. I've been writing for a long time, and have finished three novels, none of which seemed worth the trouble of deep revision.
There is a great feeling when you finish writing a piece - and at the moment near the end where all the pieces come together.
I don't feel like I'm a born writer. It feels kind of forced to me. I write because I feel like I need to do something creative to give my life a sense of meaning - sometimes it works, sometimes I feel like I'm wasting time.
I don't write every day. When I have all the pieces of a novel or story in place I like to lock myself away and work on it non-stop until I'm finished. I think that is why I'm stalled on my current project; I'll be quite busy until Spring Break, at the end of March, when I can write full time. My last novel I wrote in 2 hour per day installments, and I really didn't feel the fire - and it showed.
I usually revise only for grammar and so that things make sense. A friend of mine is on the 4th revision of a short novel she wrote 5 years ago. I have nothing like that kind of patience, and I become tired of my own writing.
I belonged to a writing group for a while - it was kind of like a class, in that we paid to go and had a leader who was a successful writer. It helped a lot at the time. I feel like I have too many other commitments to belong to that kind of group right now.
Yes, I often feel like I am a totally mediocre writer, that there are too many books in the world already, and maybe I should do something else - I just don't know what that something else would be.
Interesting questions and I’d love it if we were to have an ongoing writer’s thread here where we can share what we’ve been doing, writing-wise, the same way we have some other ongoing threads.
Why am I inspired?
It varies. Sometimes to entertain myself. Sometimes to better analyze my own thoughts. Sometimes because I want to share something with the world at large. Sometimes because I’m getting paid, might get paid, or might get published. Sometimes I’m not inspired at all. In fact I didn’t really write anything except for work related stuff for about 12 years. I wrote from about age 14 to 22, finishing 3 novels, and various short stories and novel starts. Then I picked it up again about 2 years ago, with some short stories, blogging, and more writing at work.
Was I born to write? – No, not really. I don’t really have the writing compulsion that most very successful writers have. Writing is just one of the many things that interest me. And writing is a way to explore my many other interests.
No, I don’t write every day. Even if writing was my full time job I would never do it every day. That’s not how I operate.
Revising – it depends. When I was younger and writing novels I actually enjoyed revising, at least more than most people. Now I mostly write short pieces, so there is less revising. Also I find if I put something aside to revise I never actually finish it. With blogging at least, I find it better to write the whole thing quickly, revise once or twice, and then publish it. Perhaps my posts aren’t as polished as they should be, but I’d rather that then never published at all.
Very minimal classes. When I was about 18 I took 1 seminar. I’m signed up for another short seminar next month. I’m a member of the provincial writer’s guild, but I haven’t participated much. I went to one seminar on editing last year, through the local editors association, which was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I have a couple friends who are writers and we email on occasion about what we are up to, but not a formal group.
Yes, I’m probably mediocre. Once in a while I’m especially pleased with what I’ve written. Sometimes I think it’s bad. I’m not aiming for book publication at the moment, so I’m not overly concerned about quality or competition. For writing online it seems to be more if people happen to like your particular voice, and not whether you are exceptionally skilled. Of course you have to not completely suck either.
onlinemoniker
2-7-14, 4:58pm
I've done a lot of writing fiction but I recently decided that the only reason I was doing it was because I wanted to be published and make money rather than writing for the joy of it. So I stopped. However I have kept journals as long as I've had word processing (20ish years.) I journal a lot and after awhile I ditch it and start over. I started my current journal in September 2012 and it is now nearly 170,000 words long. I think I'm going to need to delete and start over soon...
I'm writing this cookbook now because I feel like I do have something unique to say
and can present it in a fun way.
I don't consider myself a writer, It's not an area in which I don't have much talent.
After this book is done, it is doubtful I will ever write another one.
Clearly writing a book is a LOT of work,
But I am enjoying the experience for the moment =)
There is no such thing as too many books. The infinite diversity of the needs and tastes of readers demands lots and lots of books.
I went to a writer's conferency thingy near here last year and learned that I'm by no means a professional writer in the way the people there were. They wrote every day and made at least a partial living at it. I write when I feel like it and when I have something that demands to be said. Now, revising and editing of my writing, that's something I do because it must be done, like a job.
I have started fiction stories in the past but the people I showed them to very politely said nothing at all. Non-fiction is more my thing. I love facts and have enough skill with the language to express them with reasonable clarity. I did TONS of revising in my book because details of fact matter in non fiction, plus I didn't want reviewers saying how crappy the editing was, typos and awkward sentences.
Writing is a creative outlet for me, but designing spreadsheets is my real creative passion. Sadly there is such a thing as too many spreadsheets in any one person's life and I can only think of just so many things to do with them.
I've always loved to write. I promised myself that when I retired I would write more. I haven't been as consistent in it as I should be, but I've had two stories printed in Chicken Soup for the Soul books, one story printed in a Christian teen publication, I won a $750 scholarship to a writing workshop last June, and I won a first place medal at a one day Christian writing conference last spring. Being published gave me so much motivation to keep on keeping on. But, I haven't been successful in having any of my more recent submissions published. This dry spell has been very disheartening. I know that I just need to keep climbing back on the proverbial horse. I'm still waiting to hear about two submissions I made. I'm also keeping my eyes open for the details of this year's one day conference. Getting together with a group of "kindred minds" is always invigorating!
happystuff
2-9-14, 11:27am
Why are you inspired to write?
I've been writing for as long as I can remember - many styles, but poetry has always been pretty prevalent. As a pre-teen/teen, I wrote more short stories and experienced my share of rejection letters. During my mid-30's and early 40's I actually managed to get published a couple times (non-paid) in a magazine. As I've aged and experienced more things, I write for myself. At this point in time, it is more a release for me. I remember pouring myself a glass of wine one Sunday afternoon. I also grabbed a notebook and the words just flowed and flowed. Every glass of wine was a new chapter. After about 4 hours and about 5 glasses of wine - I felt great!!! (in more ways than one- lol) It was an amazing release that I still think back to and draw upon - very inspirational. So, I guess my answer is that I'm not always "inspired" per se, but I often have words that need to come out.
Do you feel like writing is what you were born to do?
Maybe not what I was born to do, but writing is definitely a part of "me". I think it is not necessarily "being a writer" as in being published/famous/earn a living at/etc. but that I feel like I am a writer because, quite simply, I write.
Do you write every day? (I don't mean journal writing, I mean working on a story, book, blog or whatever you consider your 'real' writing.)
I have always journaled, but not necessarily every day. There was a year where I DID actually write at least one thing every day, sometimes more, but at least one. I did it, I still have it, but I have yet to read it. LOL.
Do you do a lot of revising?
I consider my writing to be more of a release than anything else, so - no - I usually do not do any revising. What I write is my "reality" at the time.
Have you taken classes in writing, or do you belong to a writing group?
Just the normal high school and college writing classes.
Do you every feel like you are a totally mediocre writer, that there are too many books in the world already, and maybe you should do something else?
To be categorized as good/mediocre/bad/etc would mean that others would have to read and judge what I write. Frankly, that is not where I am at this point in time. As I've stated, these days I write for myself.
And no, I don't think there are too many books in the world. Just because I don't read something, doesn't mean someone else won't.
And, finally, I do do other things! Writing is just one part of me and not everything that is in me comes out in my writing... just some of it. ;)
Oh, my gosh, I love this thread! I don't think I ever realized that I could be a writer the same way that I am a musician....for me, and just for me. I take lessons and play but it is because I enjoy it. I now realize (after reading what you guys wrote) that I can claim my writing the same way. I aspired to writing novels when I was a child. Now I write when I am moved to write, often poetry, and I have been writing for a blog for a year or two but that is also when it moves me. I have a couple of articles that I am supposedly working on. I have a book project that is more than 10 years old now, and so unlikely to be meaningful to anyone but me, but I could just never get it going due to fears about evaluation and failure. But honestly, if I am writing for myself then all that stuff falls away!
I did take a class locally one summer and that was fun. I also wrote a novel during NANoWriMo one year. I lost that file, though, perhaps a good thing! I have also worked on mindful writing with Satya Robin at Writing Our Way Home (which is a pretty cool little business that she and her spouse have set up...another way for a writer to earn a little money).
I am pretty good at teaching and writing to teach, rather than stories. Have done instructor's manuals, for example, for pay. But if I can look at writing as a creative act only then yes, I think I can really enjoy it more! Thank you SO MUCH for this discussion.
I just started writing ( I'm 65) about 5 years ago. I did do release writing as a college student when I was distressed, I would write it all out. I never LOVED writing or even thought of myslef as a writer. I certainly did not have that need to write. But, after retiring from 31 years of teaching 4th grade....after being retired 5 or 7 years and doing The Artist's Way - keeping up with the journaling every day- and trying other kinds of creative things- drawing, painting, beads. I entered a picture book contest at the public library . Then I entered the next year. Then last year. While I was working on ideas for the picture book another idea came to me and I just started writing a middle graders story. I then took a class at the community college, which helped me focus the story. I am now in a writers' group that is also wonderful and helping me focus. So I have 13 chapters, not finished or compiled yet, but I feel wonderful about it. I do write every day now for about 30 minutes to an hour. I am excited and happy about what I've written. So, I now consider myself a writer and the plan is to get this one story published....It's interesting to read of the journey you all have had.
Gardenarian
2-10-14, 5:20pm
So nice to read you responses - they really resonate with me.
I wish I could write more for myself - I'm very self-conscious (and I've read all the writing advice.)
At some point I guess I put on my list that I need to publish a novel to have a full life. (Now there's a self-defeating thing to do!)
I'm imagining my interview with Terry Gross when I should be writing :|(
I do enjoy writing though sometimes I wonder if my time would be better/more enjoyably spent in some other creative outlet. I draw very well and easily but put little time into it. As a librarian and avid, crazy, book-aholic, I feel like I somehow have to make it in books.
happystuff
2-10-14, 5:26pm
I draw very well and easily but put little time into it. As a librarian and avid, crazy, book-aholic, I feel like I somehow have to make it in books.
This just seems to me to be screaming out "ILLUSTRATOR! ILLUSTRATOR!" :)
So nice to read you responses - they really resonate with me.
I wish I could write more for myself - I'm very self-conscious (and I've read all the writing advice.)
At some point I guess I put on my list that I need to publish a novel to have a full life. (Now there's a self-defeating thing to do!)
I'm imagining my interview with Terry Gross when I should be writing :|(
I do enjoy writing though sometimes I wonder if my time would be better/more enjoyably spent in some other creative outlet. I draw very well and easily but put little time into it. As a librarian and avid, crazy, book-aholic, I feel like I somehow have to make it in books.
Why aren't you writing for yourself? Your bucket list goal of publishing a novel is a personal goal, why wouldn't the book you write be just as personal?
Illustrating does sound like a nice path for you, why not combine your dreams and talent into the same book? Neil Gaimen is an amazingly talented writer who got his start in graphic novels. Why not you? Graphic novels can be any subject, any genre.
With the new self-publishing options you really have no limits anymore!
Gardenarian
2-10-14, 6:41pm
Thank you happystuff!
Now that you mention it - I already have many illustrations for my current story :-)
But where do I go with that?
I should say I draw well in black & white - I have no eye for color.
Maybe graphic novel? Dialog has always been my strength...
(Dhianna - we x-posted - great minds and all that :)
I just bought a black and white graphic novel last month, Snow & Blue by Yasui Haruna. She has added a fair amount of dialogue and story telling into some of her illustrations. Some have no words.
I'm starting out fun with my cookbook and attempting to get into the Tokyo Art Book Fair along with a couple of others in my art group. So initially it will be self published, some are printing at home and binding themselves, mine will be color picture, color illustration heavy so it will be more cost effective for me to get prices from local printers. I'll be doing the binding at home.
All my pages of photos, recipes, stitch patterns, instructions will be created in either Photoshop or inDesign so it can easily be made into a sturdier more commercial book to be sold on Etsy type sites and my own website. This should also make it easier to be sold as a Kindle downloadable book. But one step at a time...a rough draft of a few pages need to be done today to show my art group tonight...eek!
There is still a huge market for books and the avenues with which to reach that audience has greatly expanded. Find your niche :)
Speaking of writers, I just saw a post on FB from NRM sharing a book that they say was written by a member of the Simple Living Forums!
The title is "Frugal Living for the 21st Century." I don't want to compromise anyone's anonymity, but I would like to give credit where credit is due...
So... ?? ;) Who's the author? Looks like a lot of good info there!
Isn't that Reader 99? I am reading it on my husband's Kindle this afternoon!
Gardenarian
2-11-14, 3:57pm
That would be Reader 99 - the book is available on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Frugal-Living-21st-Century-Adventures-ebook/dp/B00HQKOQBG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392148645&sr=8-1&keywords=Frugal+Living+for+the+21st+Century).
Isn't that Reader 99? I am reading it on my husband's Kindle this afternoon!
Very cool! I'm on a spending freeze because I haven't worked in two months (!!!); otherwise, I'd buy it.
This just seems to me to be screaming out "ILLUSTRATOR! ILLUSTRATOR!" :)
+1
It's also on Amazon' Kindle borrowing program. Three people have borrowed it so far this month.
***
Oh, I just looked further in to it and for the borrowing part you have to have an actual Kindle device and an Amazon Prime Membership. http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000739811
Also a lot of the book is shown in the preview: http://www.amazon.com/Frugal-Living-21st-Century-Adventures-ebook/dp/B00HQKOQBG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1392213685&sr=1-1&keywords=marie+brack
(Positive reviews always appreciated...)
Speaking of writers, I just saw a post on FB from NRM sharing a book that they say was written by a member of the Simple Living Forums!
The title is "Frugal Living for the 21st Century." I don't want to compromise anyone's anonymity, but I would like to give credit where credit is due...
So... ?? ;) Who's the author? Looks like a lot of good info there!
That is so great!! Just the kind of word of mouth I dared hope the book would be good enough to generate! This has made my day.
catherine
2-12-14, 11:31am
That is so great!! Just the kind of word of mouth I dared hope the book would be good enough to generate! This has made my day.
Cool! As I mentioned, I'll be so happy to support you and pay for the book once my "spending fast" is over. I read the Amazon preview sections, and it really does look enticing! I love the idea of taking a 21st century approach to frugality. I think the links to internet resources is worth the price of the book alone..
Congratulations!
Cool! As I mentioned, I'll be so happy to support you and pay for the book once my "spending fast" is over. I read the Amazon preview sections, and it really does look enticing! I love the idea of taking a 21st century approach to frugality. I think the links to internet resources is worth the price of the book alone..
Congratulations!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Hey, guess what? I was cleaning out my email and I came across a $25 gift card from Amazon (?? I don't even know why they sent it to me). So I just used part of it to buy your book! Can't wait to read it..
Gardenarian
3-10-14, 2:36pm
Someone asked why I didn't just "write for myself."
I've been giving that a lot of thought - what would it mean to write for myself? To write for my own amusement or edification? I've decided it's a very good idea, and am currently turning away from trying to be a professional writer, and to write as a hobby.
That takes away an enormous amount of pressure!
I do want to remain productive, so I am going to start a thread in dailies and challenges for Writing Progress.
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