I’ve got a square Post-It note on the pin-up board above my desk that’s a little bit overflowing with writing-related paraphernalia. Luckily, though, since one of my cats developed an obsession with drawing pins, she’s managed to pull down a lot of the stuff I didn’t need any more (along with some sharp pointy drawing pins that I’ve found her chewing away on at times, and chased her round the house to retrieve. She has a death wish).
Anyway, since she removed one layer of junk, this Post-It note has become highly visible again after a few months of hibernation. It’s a note I made after reading some blog post somewhere – actually I suspect it’s from Men With Pens when they were doing a lot of fiction writing posts. The note says:
Choose one thing to write today, and write it well.
My addition: this should be writing that I’m not getting paid for.
I really liked this idea at the time, and think it’s important for my fiction writing, but I’ve never stuck to it. However, since my work has become so computer-based I’ve lost the habit of journalling those tiny fiction writing ideas or prompts that still do jump into my head. For example, just now I thought of a strange conversation I had with a colleague at school this morning about what his wife said and what she really meant, and it seems like there’s much more of a story in that. This is the kind of thing I’d like to do some free-writing or fiction extract kind of writing about each day – this is the kind of thing I could choose to write every day, and write well. And on days when I have enough time to get some really “serious” fiction writing done, then I can be sure I write that well, too.
That’s my resolution, from today, to write one thing every day, and to write it well. Fiction. Good fiction. A bit of a novel, or a bit of a short story, or a bit of something that could turn into either. Even though I have times where relatively good fiction flows out of me, I’m still somehow out of practice, and can’t always write “beautifully”, and this should help. So I’ll keep that sticky note in front of me – thanks to my cat for uncovering it!
Next day edit: The cat decided to pull down that Post-It note last night and I’ve just found it face down on the floor underneath my desk. Hope this is not a sign of things to come for this resolution.
So, I’m an aspiring novelist myself( or so I say until I change my mind again– like I have a horrid tendency to do as any healthy, confused teenager does ). The product of my social life being nearly nonexistent and my being utterly bored left me to type ‘becoming a fiction writer’ in Google, and viola! That’s how I stumbled on your blog.
I found this blog particularly interesting, and after reading a few of your others, I found that I can truly relate with you on alot of this stuff. Except,for one thing: as opposed to a thieving cat, I have a dog who likes to trample my musings. -despairs-
I guess I’m just looking for advice– a way to channel my own creativity and scattered ideas, if you will. So far, the concept that writers should write something daily seems to be the most vital idea that I’ve come across today, like you mention in this blog.
I’m definitely suscribing. =) I think I could relate with you.
Hey asia, thanks for stopping by! Sounds like you can actually use the old dog-ate-my-homework excuse, it’s a bit more convincing than my-cat-hid-my-pen excuse although it’s actually true over here (they’ve also stolen the “/” key from the number pad on my keyboard …)
Hmm, advice: while I’ve also heard the whole “write every day” thing for years, I didn’t do it. Only now that I write for a living I do, but then I don’t write “beautiful” stuff that often (ie fiction – the point of this resolution). But for what it’s worth, if I were you, this is what I would do: pick some kind of broad theme that you are really interested in (music or your town or some kind of goal you have) and start your own blog about it (a free one at Blogger is easy). And then write often and well. It could be fiction or non-fiction or a mix. (But don’t feel you HAVE to write every day or the pressure/obligation stops your writing sounding fresh, I think). Good luck – stay in touch!
Makes sense to have a blog. I’ll go ahead and make one now.
I don’t know about any themes I’m horribly interested in, though, like you, I’m into the fiction based things. When– if I become a real novelist, I think my stories would be fantasy or some sort of fiction or whatever. Though I have random ideas, I never get the right ones– if that makes any sense? I don’t know really.
I’m a bit new to the whole blogging experience; is there particular themes you’re supposed to write about and stick with, or is whatever fine? Maybe a good idea would be to post my writing on it so I can look back on it? -clueless-
And I’d love to keep in touch. You fascinate me.
Peace out.
Don’t stress, there are no “right” ideas and there’s nothing you’re “supposed” to write about … you can write whatever you want! The only reason I said to pick a theme was because it makes the blog more interesting for other readers – if there’s some kind of overarching idea that connects everything, rather than being totally random scribblings. But it doesn’t have to be and it could easily just be short bits of creative writing that you have some inspiration to do – the most important thing is that you get into the habit of writing regularly, that’s all! Let us know what your blog address is when you start it, OK
Okay. Here’s the blog address! http://evolutionofawriter.blogspot.com/
Thanks for leaving the address of your new blog, asia … I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on it. I’m intrigued!