When Fiction Fails….Why Not Journal

(Photo credit to: Bob, via Flickr)

Just like we all at times need an escape from reality, sometimes we need an escape from fiction.

I know it may be hard to believe that such a thing exists; the need to escape from the worlds within our heads. I know it was hard for me to realize such a thing but even on days like this we can still dream.

At times it’s not so much a need, its more as if we feel as if all our creative energies have been suck dry. Perhaps it was a hard week, or perhaps we’ve written non-stop and we have hit that famous Writer’s Wall. When this happens we can always turn to reality for a brief hiatus.

I have always been the kind of person to start a journal but never really stick to it.

Recently though I started an online diary and suddenly I’m writing more regularly.

On the off days during the week when I have just updated my stories on Wattpad, and my blog is current; its nice to have an outlet to place my stress.

Having an outlet for every day stress helps us to not burn out when we need to get our writing done.

& guess what? It counts towards your daily word count! Isn’t that great?

So on a day when you need to vent, so that you may return to your creative endeavors with renewed vigor, you can journal while still keeping to your daily writing schedule.

Have you journaled before? Or if not what sort of things do you do to vent away the stresses of every day life so that it doesn’t disrupt your writing schedule? 

Fanfiction: Good or Bad?

(Photo credit to: Caitlin ‘Caity’ Tobias, on Flickr)

In the last couple of days original thought both fantastical and realistic have failed me. So instead of editing or continuing to work on WIP, I’ve began to write fanfiction again.

For a while I felt guilty and ashamed that I was writing fanfiction, because for quite some time there’s been a sort of stigma regarding that kind of writing.

But then something odd happened: I noticed how much my writing has improved over time.

Suddenly I had a realization:  who cares if I’m taking a mini-break from my WIP? The important thing is that I’m still writing.

I will get over this dry spell for WIP, and when I do I will be stronger; because I didn’t stop even when the writer’s wall slammed into me.

 

Have you ever had moments of self-doubt like this? Moments when you question what you are writing? What do you think of fanfiction? 

 

Create a Write Pattern

(Photo credit to Bob, on Flickr)

I’ve been making up stories since I was small.

Before I could write, I would make up songs with stories within them and daydream my way through far off lands.

When I got into school I discovered my love of reading and naturally over time this transformed my way of storytelling onto paper.

I tended to write in bursts during my schooling experience. I would write whenever inspiration struck, in wonderful moments where the pen held in my hand seemed to zip across my lined pages.  Those sort of writing habits fared me well in the school environment; writing between classes and scribbling down notes beside onto a notepad on my bedside table when I awoke from fantastical dreams. I wrote every chance that I got. It felt special, exciting and sometimes forbidden (when I’d write during class).

When I left school things changed. Life happened, as they say. 

I suddenly had to make decisions, I had to grow up.

My writing became stagnant for a year.
I tried some college, but it didn’t seem to stick.

It wasn’t until I started working full time, that I began to write again.
I wrote fanfiction and worked on a trilogy, neither of which I finished completely.
I never got past the 10 chapter mark, instead I was re-writer.
I wrote like that for a couple of years.

After I got married, I was fortunate to have the complete unconditional support of a like minded creative who encourage me to begin writing again. 
My method of writing that I had during my schooling years picked up once more. 

I took what I thought was to be just a breather from my series, and started a brand new idea for the wonderful time of year that is called NANOWRIMO.

I wrote nearly every day that November and had at the end of it 18k words of chronological chapters and words.

Finally I felt an achievement in my bones, and I wanted desperately to finish the story.

I had the ending crisp in my mind, and the characters had taken me on an adventure that I hadn’t ever truly experienced so accurately before.

I had also found like minded individuals on Twitter, who had cheered me on through the whole process.

Then I discovered the “Don’t Break the Chain” calendar through YouTube, and found #writechain on Twitter.

Finally it felt like all the puzzle pieces had fallen into place.

I needed to create a regular writing schedule and what better way than having a minimum word count for each and every day.

The idea was daunting at first, but  I picked a word number that I felt I could get in on even my worst day. And it worked, rest is history.

The lesson I have learned from writing every day has changed my life.

So here’s the kicker, I will not tell you that you have to write every day to be a writer.

Firstly, because that’s simply not true.

 

You write, therefore you ARE a writer.

 

But I do believe it is important to either set aside a time to write or create your own sort of writing schedule.

The main point of a writing schedule is to get you to write.
So often we can get stuck.
When you have goals, you are able to gather momentum towards fulfilling your dreams.

So what have you done to make time for writing? Do you have a writing schedule? Do you have any experiences to share. Please feel free to post below.

Inspiration

(Photo credit: Lex McKee on Flickr)

I’d like to dedicate my 2nd blog post to several very inspiring writers and creators out in the inter-webs.

I think as a writer it can feel as if you are lost in a sea of fantastic raindrops. You will read imaginative tales and be consumed in the lives and stories of the characters others have written. Then, when it comes to your own writing you may feel as if it will never measure up to the stories that have inspired your dreams.

This blog post is for the people that made me realize that this does not have to be so. These people may not have known me personally, but their words and encouragements have resonated truthfully for me. I hope they will do the same for you.

1) Ava Jae at {Writability}
Reason for her amazingness: She has wonderful tips and advice for fellow writers. She has humble beginnings. She has known the pain of a novel not panning out the way one may wish it; and the heartache of having to put it aside. She has felt rejection. She knows how it feels to try to find time in a busy life to write. Foremost she taught me that I am a writer. I write, therefore I’m a writer.

Notable posts and videos she has created:

• Are You a Writer? 
• Why I Don’t Like the Term “Aspiring Author”
• 5 Reasons You Should Be Blogging 
• Why Writers Must Read

Ava Jae will be having her debut novel, “Beyond the Red” coming out to bookstores in the March of this year.

 

2) Faye with Write Chain

Reason for her amazingness: She has helped to create another wonderful side of the writer community on Twitter. She’s supportive and encouraging. On days where I reported the my minimum word count and felt guilty for it, she cheered me on and congratulated me on my progress.

You can become part of the writer chain at her website, Writerology.net.

Don’t let anyone make you feel inadequate because you don’t match their definition of a ‘writer’.

— Faye Kirwin (@Writerology) January 9, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

3) Brian Rathbone 

Reason for his amazingness: He never ceases to put a smile on my face. His witty and creative tweets are insightful as well as fun. He is breath of fresh air that every writer needs.

Brian has written a trilogy, The World of Godsland. The books are available in e-book format on Amazon.

 

One of my favorite things about the Internet age is the ability of readers to easily communicate with writers.

— Fantasy Author (@BrianRathbone) December 1, 2015

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Welcome One & All!

(Photo credit: Petras Gagilas from Flickr)

Today is my Wordiversary. I’m so glad you were able to make it. I hope you enjoy your stay here.

So, what is a Wordiversary?

On Jan 2, 2015 I started a chain that I have not broken.

I have not stopped writing everyday since last January 2nd.

So today on Jan 2, 2016 in order to celebrate this very special anniversary I have written my first blog post, on my first official writer/author blog.

A writer blog is an essential. At least that’s what I’ve been told by many of my writer buddies. It’s important to practice writing. It’s important to practice writing what you know, so you can write about things you don’t.

I didn’t know what sort of advice or knowledge I could impart to fellow writers. After all, I have not published any of my writing thus far. I have not won any contests for it. But in a small way I believe I have achieved something great.

I was a procrastinating writer before I started my write chain. I would write only when the mood would strike, when my fingers begged me to type or scribble. When I was told I should write a blog for writing, I laughed. All I could ever teach someone to do is procrastinate.

I’ve learned since then that even the greatest writers of all time continued to learn.

Thus with the start of a new year I have created my new project, “Write Improvement”.

“Write Improvement” is about how creativity can have an positive effect on someone’s day to day life. I hope to have future blog posts on: creating a writing routine and how to do so under various circumstances, and fun ways to break down writer’s blocks.

I would like to thank Faye with @WriteChain on twitter for the inspiration of my very own write chain. I would also like to thank Karen Kavett for her “Don’t Break the Chain!” calendar that has helped me to keep track and put a smile on my face with each new link throughout this year.