With the use of Kindle and e-books, reading books has become an instant reward. Though it has its benefits, I personally feel it takes away from the physical experience of holding a book in your hands, turning the pages and breathing in that wonderful paper scent. I understand you can save space by having online books, as I said it has its uses. Personally I still love to have a tangible copy. It's fast and the market at present is flooded. Writing a book still takes time.
I get up and do my personal routine and my housework, once that is done, I sit down to write and I continue until I decide it's enough. That can be at the end of the day or well into the night, it really depends on how I feel and if I'm on a roll.
Yes I have. I found out later it is one of the no no's of writing. However, I have continued to incorporate some of my experiences within my writing because it is real and I can draw on those experiences giving the descriptions more life.
A good title is needed to draw your reader in, as is a great cover. It's the first thing a reader see's and determines whether the reader with pick it up and read the back cover or buy it to read. I do wish I had researched how many people already had my title despite our genre differences. In knowing that though the book was always going to be 'Lord Have Mercy'
I have not experienced writers block where there are no ideas, my head is always on the go. I have none stop brain activity and that can be hard locking things down. I have had a block as to which direction to go in and have used brainstorming techniques, that and relaxing can let the ideas flow. Going for a walk in nature helps or if you like ppl watching, writing what you see and feel.
Right now, it's changing the way I write my books. I have gone from handwriting everything to straight into the computer. Though it saves on time, I find my brain connects more to what I'm writing by hand than it does into the computer. My brain has a tendency to wander easily while I'm typing. I also hand write faster than I type and even then it doesn't always keep up with my brain. Keeping all of my research and information easily accessible is a nuisance for me. I haven't yet found the right fit, in terms of book logs or computer logs or post it notes lol
I suppose having it out there in the world, had me feeling like I had to push myself harder to write more and quickly. People want the sequel and ask about it all the time like you can just write it up in a few weeks. It changed my process from handwriting to directly into a computer and It forced me to be more disciplined.
I enjoyed writing when I was young, though life got in the way. My head has always been full of stories and characters. My first book came to me complete in a dream and I wrote it, the second it started at the beginning of my walk on the beach and by the time I walked back I had the bones of a book. I have not yet published the first book I wrote but will in time. It was Lord Have Mercy that pushed me further. I am currently writing the Sequel and once finished have a half written book I am excited to get back to.
Writing can most definitely be emotionally draining and stressful. I would advise always taking care of yourself emotionally and physically. Give yourself relaxation times, indulge in something you love, take time out to walk, in the bush or beach and exercise. Writing is draining physically as well, sitting for hours at a time, looking at a screen. Your body is under a lot of strain even when you don't realize it. Move around often, stand when you can. Love what you're doing; if you don't, then maybe writing isn't what you want to be doing. That doesn't mean you can't be annoyed with it but if you don't wake up thinking about writing and go to sleep thinking about it, figure out what it is you really love and pursue it. Life is too short. I wish I had figured that out sooner, I could have been writing longer.
