Question of the Day: When your writing life is a bit cloudy or filled with rain, what do you do to dig down and keep on writing?
It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. You can also visit the founder Alex J. Cavanaugh for more info and links.
Great question for this month’s posting. Instead of rain, however, we have piles and piles of snow here in Minnesota. Ugh! This is officially the winter of our discontent. It’s hard not to let it get you down.
In answer to the question above, I found that I need to give myself focused time to write. I take my writing to a local coffee shop, and it’s best if it’s one where I don’t know everyone who comes in!
Lately, I felt a need to dig a little deeper and really develop my main character’s voice, so I bought her a journal and a little quote book to go with it. It’s working great. When I journal in her voice, this whole beautiful, complicated story comes out.
Waiting for Spring, here in the Upper Midwest of the USA.
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: How’s the weather where you are? What gives you sunshine on a cloudy day?
I love how you bought a journal for your MC. I used to do that when I was younger. Not only did help my character but it helped me too 🙂 Happy IWSG day. I am from the middle Midwest 😉
Thanks, Erika. Happy shoveling! #thinkspring
I hear you there. Occasionally I do just have to write from my character’s perspectives to get into their heads.
The story is becoming clearer.
Hi Mary, I like the idea of journaling, i’m going to try it! And the coffee shop idea too appeals to me.
Excellent. Cheers to coffee shops and journals!
Journaling in her voice – very clever, Mary.
Your area has had so much snow this year.
Thanks, Alex. Yes. Snow, snow, go away.
Without my little notebook in hand, I feel lost. There’s always something to jot down! Here’s to your spring coming. Enjoy.
Thanks, C. I also keep paper handy for taking notes.
I love the idea of a character having their own journal. Way to get into her/his head, Brilliant even. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Thank you, Anna. I’m having fun with it.
Did my comment go through? I got a notification after hitting send that makes me think it didn’t.
Hi Raimey, This is the only comment from you. Thanks for stopping by!
That is a really cool idea about the journal. I’ll have to try that. Happy IWSG Day!
I didn’t think to put that, but I sometimes do that. I can get so much done in a coffee shop. Might be a plan for this weekend.
I always carry a notebook, and have them around the house in strategic locations. Brilliant idea to have the MC journal. What a great way to get into her head.
Getting out of the house helps me as well. It’s good to get away from your “normal” and go someplace where you’re a bit incognito. It’s hard to do here in Savannah, especially when most people know me either from where I work or where my husband works. Still, if I’m not surrounded by crazy cats or piles of dishes, I’m apt to get more inspired 🙂
I love the idea of an MC journal. I’m also never without a writing notebook and pen. You never know when an idea will come to you or you’ll hear a great bit of dialogue. Thanks for sharing these ideas, Mary.
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