{Ramblings On} Why Successful Writers Need To Do More Than Write
Remembering this; there’s more than one way to skin a cat. However, learning from those walking a path before you is also key!
What I find interesting is that my writing seems to go on and on, but my blog posts….well, not so much. I think I have an idea, I start writing, save progress….hit computer issues, hit life issues, and at the end…still getting something written. My writing is now there in the world for consumption, scrutiny, and release. Getting my thoughts out as they occur, so much easier on paper than online — with a computer, dialogue flows for some reason, but not descriptive thoughts and ideas. For me, it’s not organic enough. I can’t feel it because I’m not physically writing it.
Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle Center — Seattle, Washington
For some of my students, typing their thoughts are first nature. Maybe even texting? I don’t know about that. It isn’t enough for me, it would not only take too long but I’d loose my train of thought and be ready to move on…not to mention move my neck, stand up and stretch, and take a minute to look out of the window or pet my dogs. I don’t do well taking small breaks from electronics. I know this. As a result, I really don’t like to get interrupted. I lose my train of thought and then I have endless drafts of blog posts, but not many completed.
Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, by Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound’s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.
Cascade Mountains, Washington State
On the other hand, handwriting can literally be fluid and sexy. It can be romantic, emphatic; large and loopy or small and scratchy. Just by reading the writing, or losing the feeling in my fingers from {likely} gripping the pencil too hard. Much like gripping the handlebars too tightly, it becomes part of me. The writing, not just the writing instrument, becomes part of me and who I am. Fluidity, flow, and ebb…handwriting does that for me. Makes me feel alive. Sexy.
Writing is about a hell of a lot more than just writing.
When I started writing, I had a vague idea of what I was getting myself in for. With the release of my latest contemporary romance, The Pitch, later this month [May 2015], I’ve got a much clearer idea. It’s the third book I’ve released (with two more due for release late this year and next).
2 thoughts on “{Ramblings On} Why Successful Writers Need To Do More Than Write”
I’m endlessly going back and forth between typing and writing longhand. I’ve heard each way engages the brain differently. Sometimes the thoughts flow better on the computer, and sometimes I get bogged down editing and re-editing as I type. So then it’s time to pull out the pen and write and write and write and cross things out and scribble and circle other things and draw big arrows to connect thoughts along with stars and exclamation points and question marks….
I love it! I find that I write on and on about a topic when handwriting, but as I type, I self-edit and don’t get the words out…and they certainly don’t flow as they do with the right pen…
I’m endlessly going back and forth between typing and writing longhand. I’ve heard each way engages the brain differently. Sometimes the thoughts flow better on the computer, and sometimes I get bogged down editing and re-editing as I type. So then it’s time to pull out the pen and write and write and write and cross things out and scribble and circle other things and draw big arrows to connect thoughts along with stars and exclamation points and question marks….
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I love it! I find that I write on and on about a topic when handwriting, but as I type, I self-edit and don’t get the words out…and they certainly don’t flow as they do with the right pen…
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