What's Your Writing Process Like?

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   RooBeeposted 6 years ago

   I'm always curious about how different people go about their writing process. I've been writing professionally for a decade. Yet..I still find myself falling into chaos and struggling to manage my time efficiently. Do you have a strict protocol as far as the when, where, and how of working - or do you just squeeze it in where you can? Do you have some tips, tricks, weird and disturbing rituals, or other insights to share on how you discipline yourself into churning out the words at an acceptable pace?

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      Jean Bakulaposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I usually get an idea, based on something I read or a question someone asked about one of my niches. But my disturbing ritual is that I can only write at night. I guess there's too much happening in the day. Sometimes I have several ideas and let them sit until I am in the mood to write.
      
      Then I like to consider how I want to present my piece, so I think about it for a while, let it perk inside my head. When I am ready to write a first draft on Word, it's usually pretty close to finished though. By then I know what I want to say, and the piece just needs some tweaking and a few finishing touches.

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         RooBeeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for your reply. It sounds like you and I have a lot in common as far as this goes. I'm always up late at night working on projects. Drives my husband crazy, so I'm trying to adjust.

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      TIMETRAVELER2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      interesting question. I write about things I know a lot about or that I think will help people.  Time isn't a problem for me because I'm retired.  Sometimes i write often, other times I might not write for a month or more...especially if there is something distracting or important going on in my life.  I do spend a lot of time updating when I see articles that aren't getting good page views.  I don't feel that I have to write, I just like doing it!

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         RooBeeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for the reply! I peeked at your profile, and am excited to go back and read about some of your adventures.

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   agilitymachposted 6 years ago

   Hmmm.  I find I make time to do those things I want to do. So, for instance, I love to train my dogs. Therefore, I make time to train my dogs, pushing other priorities, such as a cleaner house, aside.
   
   The same goes for writing. If I have a topic I'm excited about, I find it easy to find the time to write. If I have a topic I know will be good but I'm not personally whooped up about, I procrastinate, and the dirty house become more important.
   
   So now, I try to work only on topics that excite me. I've been writing fiction for the last year (yay..my first novel!), something I've never done. It's been fun, and I write every day. I haven't written Hubs lately because I hadn't come up with topics that drew me to the keyboard. I have some now, so I'm writing Hubs again.
   
   I do have a place where I write. I also try to sit down and write something almost every day. When working on a novel, I have a low weekly word count (2,000 words) that I set as a goal. I usually do more like 5K, but I at least have to do 2K. That helps me too.
   
   I believe the podcast "Writing Excuses" covers this. You might check its archives and see if their ideas are helpful to you.

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      RooBeeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I will absolutely check out that podcast, thanks for the suggestion! I really appreciate your input, and am inspired by your word count goals. Also, I'm so glad to hear you're having fun writing your novel - that's great!!!

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   RTalloniposted 6 years ago

   I like quiet, and alone time. Not an earth shattering tip, but finding that quiet space helps a lot. Perhaps scheduling that rather than putting "writing" on your calendar could help. :- )

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      RooBeeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent suggestion! My life is heavy on distractions and noise, so I'll heed this tip. Thanks!

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   Kenna McHughposted 6 years ago

   Tons of ideas and I play catch up trying to get those ideas written down and edited for others to read.
   
   I stick with my clients' deadlines and write my stuff every day. If I feel that my schedule or writing habits are not working for me or others, I reassess my goals and purposes. They always come back to "I love to write."  I keep writing.
   
   I wrote for one of the original screenwriting websites - it is now called Screenwriting University. I interviewed countless screenwriters of major movies. They all have their own way of getting in front of the computer and writing - their own process. Their common denominator is to write and write some more. Write until you have something worth selling and reading. Nothing gets in their way.
   
   I found that belonging to a writer's group is helpful as long as the group members are writers who work and get their projects down for others to read and eventually sell.
   
   Never, never compromise your own goals and purposes. It's a waste of time.

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      RooBeeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Wonderful advice, thank you!

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   Gregory DeVictorposted 6 years ago

   When writing a hub, I need 100% focus. I eliminate as many distractions as possible, which includes turning off my cell phone and not checking emails every 30 minutes. In addition, I do not focus on the “endless errands,” such as grocery shopping or household tasks and responsibilities.
   
   I can assure you that my first draft and what is finally published are diametrically opposed.

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      RooBeeposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Getting to that place where I have no distractions is always a challenge (which is why I'm often up in the middle of the night trying to work). Thanks for the insights!

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         liesl5858posted 6 years agoin reply to this

         I write straight away when an idea pops into my head. Sometimes I finish an article in a day but I keep updating it even though I just published it if I find I need to add some more. I don't really have a specific time to write my articles. I am quite an impulsive writer. I work full time so I do write on my days off.

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            Gregory DeVictorposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Linda, I am just like you. Once I publish an article, I keep updating it too.

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