Kudos 1.75 after 2 votes |
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Hi everyone,
Just a note to say I am taking the plunge, uploading and subjecting my third written piece to scrutiny on the Review my Work Forum, this one though a break with the first two, both these previous submissions, consisting of Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 of my ongoing attempt at a novel 'Fin's Journey', and incidently, hope to post Chapter 3 shortly.
This new short stand alone piece however, is only a few pages long and entitled 'The Famine House'. If you do get chance to read and/or comment on it, then, I shall say Thank you very much in advance, and assure in kind I am more than happy to look at others work and will ensure to pay the same level of courtesy.
What might be useful is if anyone else out there is writing a novel, particularly one that falls within the Historical Fiction genre, even better if it is set like mine in early 20th C Ireland, but anyway whichever genre it is, perhaps you would like to get in contact with me to see whether we can be of help to one other and take things from there.
I have to ay too, how much I am enjoying the different and mostly still new experiences, that continue to reap such rich rewards since my becoming a Writers Circle member. I am steadily picking up pace, finding greater enjoyment and hopefully improving in rating and leaving comments on others work. Unsure initially about how best to approach this, through reading others comments my own confidence in this area has grown, not to mention the many good pieces of writing I have so far enjoyed, in themselves wonderfully inspiring, and so often the heady tonic that restores in me the urge to write something.
Does anyone here use a specific or set routine for writing? I know that several well-known authors - from Dan Brown down to my favourite non-fiction writer Paul Johnson, habitually rise at 4am to begin writing, working through to early afternoon, though not it seems beyond then. If anyone can suggest what works or doesn't work for them, I would be grateful for your input. While I know a writing routine if it is to work has to suit each individual, and this naturally is my eventual aim, it might be a good idea to begin using some tried and tested methods or even find among the more obscure or bizarre, something that works great for me.
Kudos 1.75 after 2 votes |
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Comments, critiques and replies
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Keiron,
When I first joined the group, I was quite hesitant. I had a little blurb about this. It was quite intimidating
having to critique someone's work who writes better than me. I was quiet for a while because like you,
I didn't know how to approach critiquing others lest I'd be condemned. However, I find that the more
I read, and the more I write, as well as the more I comment, I learned a lot (also just by 'listening'
to others' comments). Over the ensuing fall and winter months, I'll read a few in the morning whether
Grisham, Clancy or Writers Circle (another day above ground is a good day for me) . . . comment a few
at WC (give and you shall receive) and write in the afternoon and continue, interspersed with breaks here
and there. Weekends for church and family. But for the most part, the quietness of the early morning
(from 12mn till 2 or 3) somehow is the most productive for me. I wake up early too . . . 7:30, around
that time (I guess when you get to my age, sleep is no longer too much of a necessity). This is mostly
winter schedule (snow, sleet, cold, extreme weather alerts, dampness . . . who wants to be out there).
In the summer, I find myself more out communing with nature.
Hope this helps.
Grampa | Grampa Pogi [510] | 04/02/2010 |
Keiron
I will give you what I think
If I'm a little strong with my comment, please don't take it personal
If I'm showing my ignorance, please let me know
To set it straight, I love literature but I haven't really read that many novels or poetry
My writings had been mostly business, technical, marketing materials, responses to emails, mostly streamlined
writing
I'm very much interested in finding my own capacity in creative writing
Reading and commenting on your writing would be an education for me as well
As for routine: I've gathered from TV interviews of famous writers: "Write one page a day" .
. . at least.
I might add: "Get the day done . . ."
m n m n I | m n m n I [304] | 04/02/2010 |
I'm not a disciplined writer. I usually write in a reactive mode, reacting to some current events, happenings
of my friends or some special occasions. I wish I had a "writing" routine instead of those
sporadic moments during the day: between meals, checking the stock market, swimming my daily laps in the
pool, walking the dogs and TV watching. Basically, I write when an idea strikes or when I'm really bored.
I am planning to set aside a few hours each day as my "writing moments", probably 2-3 hours
before my bed-time (?) Let's see how that goes. | bobchoi [504] | 05/02/2010 |
Try to write at least once a day... for me, I like to be spontaneous, but some people find that they write
best at a certain time.
I advise you to try out different things, and see what works.
Whatever you do, keep writing!
thewriter | thewriter [3] | 06/02/2010 |
Thank you for this Grampa Pogi. It is heartening to know we all start somewhere, and those who go on to
become very good at what they do manage to do so through hard work, and as you say, this comes with reading
more, writing more etc.
Your routine sounds really quite pleasant and must work extremely well, if only from looking at your regular
and many contributions to the Writers Circle. (I am looking forward to sitting down and reading over the
next few days a good number of these and hopefully, leave some useful suggestions and comments - compared
with the many you have already made with mine). I will leave comment on your standing as a published writer
to another time but I think mostly anyone who finishes writing a novel must be working at optimum levels
of productivity. Thank's again! | Keiron [38] | 08/02/2010 |
m n m n I [119],
Thank you for your thoughtful comments on this - much appreciated. Its good to know the considered views
and advice as well as the many different approaches to writing that exist out there.
My approach to these things is similiar to yours I think, both open and flexible. It's certainly true
as far as my own experience goes, that the broader your perspective, the better informed you become and
the more likely you will discover what works best for you.
I look forward to reading more of your writing not only on what I have read so far but because I am interested
in seeing how you continue to develop and hone your skills as a creative writer, given your business and
technical-based background writing background. Thanks again for this! | Keiron [38] | 08/02/2010 |
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