Friday, September 2, 2011

On writing

Writing can be very satisfying,but it is also quite isolating. Whenever I'm working on a book and I decide to do something else; i.ego to dinner, sit by the lake enjoying the day, I start to feel guilty and I need to just get over it.


I give myself deadlines for getting my books completed, because, frankly, if I did not, I'd procrastinate something fierce.  So I end up writing, and writing, in the wee hours of the morning, in the afternoons and I need to give myself more breathing room.


Can a person edit their own material?  Well, yes, if you know what you want to say,and if you have the patience to go line by line, very slowly.


Memoirs can be difficult because most of us have them either in our heads, or in a journal form, both of which can be difficult to glean into a manuscript form, which would be interesting for anyone to read, and that is a difficult task.


When writing, we have to remember, steamy love scenes can make us blush, but also remember, your mom isn't looking over your shoulder, so you can be unfettered when describing them.


The most difficult thing when writing about our selves is, we have to remember no one is going to judge us about our past decisions.  So if you can take your most embarrassing  or your most not proud of yourself, moments, place them on paper and allow the world to read the real you, that is half the battle.  Remember that how you felt or reacted in an unflattering light, is still your reaction and your feelings, do not be afraid of them.  People could judge, but really, do you know those readers personally?  No you do not.  So let your feelings flow and share when you are not always proud of how you felt, but you did feel like that and somewhere, someone will relate to you being human. 


Happy writing. 







4 comments:

Flora Breen Robison said...

The issue of deadlines is probably the strongest argument for getting an external publisher. It requires a lot of discipline on the part of the writer to get things done. I try to have deadlines for everything I do written not only in my daybook but in both calenders-one in the kitchen where my land line is and one in the study where I do my work. Don't just rely on memory about what day of the month it is-I cross off days in my daybook which has always been necessary since I graduated.

J'aime Rubio, Author said...

I couldn't agree more. Writing is the same way for me, I get so into it I have to keep momentum and I just keep going into the early hours of the morning. I write my best stuff around the midnight hour when I feel the most inspired. Deadlines are the worst when it comes to books for me, as I have 2 incomplete novels I have been working on for 2 years and just can't seem to get past certain parts. I am sure it will come to me one of these days lol. I really liked this!

steve & Roberta weathers said...

Flora: Well I set deadlines for myself but I agree, sometimes one needs an out side editor.

steve & Roberta weathers said...

Dreaming: LOL I have taken a year to complete a book, sometimes it just takes as long as it takes. I enjoy writing when it's dark and very quiet too. I'm glad you liked this post.