In Search of Dessert

Thank you to Sognatrice for this meme.  It is one of the more difficult ones that I have done. It is easy for a writer to criticize oneself, particularly when said writer goes unpaid and often procrastinates, but it is not so easy to praise one’s writing. Or at least we probably do not do it often enough. We should. Criticizing writing is very important, especially since the shelves of Barnes and Noble are filled with fluff, but those great writers out there know they have a little something, and a kind word to oneself probably strengthens their writing in the end. So here goes:

1. I allow myself to write whatever I want, without judgment or restriction. Then I edit. You would be surprised how many cuss words do not make it into these posts, as well as more personal feelings about situations. (At the same time, when I am an asshole, I don’t edit that out.)I let my fingers type out every emotion, thought, or opinion, and then I go in and see what should and should not belong.

2. I write small details well. I still have a long ways to go, but I feel that my insatiable desire to people-watch, and this odd curiosity I have about people in general (“Why does she like striped socks? I wonder what she ate for breakfast today? Does she cry in her sleep? Why does he use two sugars instead of one?) leads me to record details on a close-up level, which I then dump into my writing, since it has to go somewhere, and I think this brings the reader in closer — makes them feel like they are peeking in on a scene, not being told it.

3. I have learned that sarcasm does not go with writing. (Learned it the hard way)

4. I respect my personality’s natural rhythm with writing. I don’t buy into writer’s block too much. There is not a thing in the world that one could do whenever, wherever, on demand. Not even writing. I know I need a certain environment, a certain time of day even – so I respect that. Then when I am there, and bored, or not feeling it, I make myself write SOMETHING. I just stick to that, and usually more flows out anyway. I also scribble a lot – little notes of things that sound good in my head, or things I see. So, I practice.

5. I try not to insult my readers intelligence, and I also try to be open-minded about my opinions. I attempt to use better-than-elementary grammar, and I throw out decently mature words. I should have a better vocabulary than I do, as an English major…..

Five Pieces of Advice

1. Sign up for an email Word-Of-The-Day or put a dictionary in the bathroom.

2. Scribble, scribble, scribble. Keep a notebook and pen in your bag. Don’t judge. Note, note and note more. Use it or not, just do it. More will fall into your writing than you would imagine, and it will seem more real.

3. Read other writers. Read some of your style, read some completely different. All great writers read a lot, and read other writers. They also copy each other. I know one woman who even rewrites paragraphs or whole chapters when she loves a certain book, in order to learn the style. This is not as uncommon as you would think.

4. Reward yourself. Seriously, is a diet ever really a diet? No it’s not. It is a series of diet days followed by a day of pause and reward. Some of us embrace that day, some of us beat ourselves up when it happens, but it always does. Same with writing. There are good and bad days, but it should be fun and enjoyable. If you “stick to it” – whatever your writing plan is – reward yourself somehow.

5. Do not let your family read it. Or, if you do, give it to two other non-family members to read, who will give you HONEST feedback.

PS TAG you’re it – Liza, Beth, Judith (think what are your strengths for your book idea), Pam , and Kelli