Samhain Publishing

Write On!
By
N. J. Walters

Writing is a solitary pursuit.

There have been thousands of books written about the art and craft of writing. They all have tips on how to write, how to get past writer’s block, how to be a successful writer, and much, much more. For as many writers exist in the world, there are as many ways of writing.

I’ve read many books on writing including: Stephen King’s On Writing, Janet Evanovich’s How I Write, and Julia Cameron’s The Right To Write, just to mention a few. There are books available on the best way to release your creativity, on how to journal, write a romance, a mystery, and a science fiction best seller. They all have great advice. But ultimately, it comes down to the individual writer.

I’ve interviewed many authors over the past few years for my monthly newsletter and one of the questions I like to ask is: What is your writing routine? I’ve gotten back a variety of answers over the years. Some writers need quiet. Others need music. Some writers need to be at their desk and have an uninterrupted period in which to write. Other writers can tap away on their laptop while waiting in the minivan for the kids to finish soccer practice.

It’s amazing and delightful to understand that there is no wrong way to write. Wait, I stand corrected. The only wrong way to write is not to write at all. Whether you scribble in a notebook, tap out a few lines here and there in-between dealing with the day job and the kids, or sit at your desk for three uninterrupted hours a day, it’s all good. The trick is to find what works for you and to do it.

And read books on writing. You never know when you’re going to pick up a tip or two or read something that makes you go “hmmm.” If you write, you want to be the best writer you can be. Even if you only want to write for your own enjoyment, the goal is to get your words down in a way that best expresses your thoughts. If you want to be a published writer, you can never stop striving to get better. Each word you write is an opportunity to create something even better than before.

So whatever your writing routine is, or if you’re still looking for yours, don’t despair. There is no right way or wrong way. There is only the “Write” way. And that’s to keep on doing it.

Personally, I’m going to settle in at my desk, in the morning quiet, and spend a couple of uninterrupted hours pounding away on my keyboard. It’s the way I write, and it works for me.

Do you have a favorite writing book you’d like to share?

N.J. has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

http://www.njwalters.com
http://www.njwalters.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awakeningdesires/ (newsletter group)