A big part of writing is figuring out what works for you. Mentally, physically, whatever. Some people swear by certain writing programs, some say plotting is key to a solid story. Still others will tell you that the only way to achieve X is to do Y.
(For the record, I have a knee-jerk reaction to any piece of “advice” that implies there’s only one way to do things. Do what works for you. No matter if the next guy down the line thinks it’s a waste of time.)
Finding what works takes trial and error. I have my most productive days when I get up early and start writing by 5:30am. If I sleep in at all I can still get the words written, but it seems to take me twice as long. Getting up before the sun isn’t going to work for everyone. Some people are naturally night owls (I LOVE staying up late, but I don’t get any productive writing in when I do) and some people have other obligations that make an early wake up out of the questions.
And that’s okay.
My early morning writing schedule has been awesome this month. I’m churning out about three times my usual word count. Part of that is the story I’m writing. It’s in my head and it wants to get out. So I write. And write. And write some more. Part of it is having that dedicated time in the morning when no one else is up that allows me to focus. Part of it is being a part of the writing community and participating in word sprints with others.
(As someone who is TERRIBLE in group situations — both online and in real life — finding a group I feel comfortable in has been key. In the wrong group, I tend to hover on the sidelines and watch. With my current group, I enjoy getting involved. For me, that helps the creativity flow. I’m not worried about how or when I’m going to interact next. I’m not fretting about little things that aren’t important. I’m just writing.)
Thus far in July, I’ve been working on the first in my Grimwood series. I’m taking on a few well known stories and giving them a twist. Book one is nicely dark. There’s talk of dark magic and people who are sacrificed to fuel it. There’s a man held captive by a witch and a girl who’s willing to risk her life to save him. And yes, there’s sex. When two people have alone time in my worlds, that tends to happen.
Next up: finishing the final book in the Monstrous Tales series and working on the second book in the Stronghold series. There’s a lot of fun stuff coming in the next few months. Just you wait!
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