Writing « Robin Writes

I have a confession: I have one really, really bad habit. (Okay, I have several, shut up, that’s not the point.) My really, really bad habit is that I like to write straight through the WIP, start to finish.

Oh, I stop to eat, sort of, and to sleep. That’s a necessity. And, well, a few other necessities too! But for the most part, I don’t want to start a project unless I can ALSO finish it.

Let me try to explain. I look at my calendar and my to-do list and realize that there is NO TIME to write a book, not if I’m going to use this method. This is why, boys and girls, I wrote the second and third books in the REDUCED series in a matter of weeks. I knew the beginnings and the ends, and I just had to fill in the middle. Sometimes, yes, the rumor is true, I work backwards. Not for an entire novel, but part of it.

Anyway, this is why REPEAT hasn’t yet been put down on paper—I’m sure it’s in my head, somewhere. And it will claw its way out sooner or later, so be patient.

But even that is not the point of today’s post.

“Experts” will tell you how to schedule your writing time. Ignore them. Better yet, try their suggestions and THEN ignore them. Nothing is 100% for everyone. Some people work best in the morning, early morning even [shudder], and some work best at night. Some writers work all day long, at writing, not a day job.

I can’t write first thing, I’m too busy drinking coffee and doing promo and marketing. And making my daily list. I can’t write at night, because I’m sleepy. Sadly, writing is not my day job—it’s publishing, and I have authors who depend on me.

Not to mention the husband, the kid, the other kids, the daily stuff, the housework, etc., etc. Ugh.

So this is how I write a book:

I get the idea.
I make some notes.
I get all caught up on the regular stuff.
I forget that I made notes, but realize the important stuff is still floating around in my head.
I write the book, ignoring the husband, the kid, the other kids, the daily stuff, the housework.
When I come up for air, I find those notes.
Yep, the important stuff was in my head all along.

Now, I still do the taking-care-of-myself parts, and I still sleep. Sleep is good! But I can literally think and type for hours at a time. Maybe next time I’ll figure out how many hours a book takes . . . or not. Can’t stop for anything, really, it just come out, like word vomit.

And yes, the experts will tell you to just write and do your editing later. Phhhht. I edit as I go. If a sentence isn’t right, it’s fixed. Well, except for the ones I missed! I do, of course, go over it again later, but I don’t wait months. Maybe days. A day? Never really timed it because—it doesn’t matter.

Write how you want, whenever you want. It’s YOUR book.

Are you a card-carrying member of a writers’ group? Well, actually, most don’t issue “cards,” per se, at least not the ones I know. Or, maybe, I just didn’t get one . . . hmmm.

But you SHOULD be a member. Of a group, somewhere. And there are many to choose from:

Some meet weekly; more often, once a month. Some only have events once a year, maybe twice. Others have different things going on each month. These, of course, are usually live groups versus Internet hangouts, which also have value.

And it’s important to belong to at least one—which of course depends on your needs—because writing is such a solitary pursuit. Although, if you were to look at my FB newsfeed (or maybe your own), you might think otherwise. Huh.

Writers’ groups have different purposes: to critique, to encourage, to provide a sounding board, to be social, to showcase members’ work. Which one(s) you choose is up to you. But, um, be choosy. It’s not quantity but quality that counts.

You want an active group(s). One(s) that give value. And, preferably, one(s) whose members have some talent. You know what I’m talking about . . . there are those groups who are filled with SPAM—and not only online groups . . .

Speaking of writers, another topic I want to briefly touch upon is this:

Stop marketing to other writers!

What? Yes, you heard me. Those “like for a like events” that promise more “likes” on FB? How many of those folks actually read your stuff? Don’t ask me, I have no idea. Sure, there’s value in networking, but be particular about who YOU follow. Twitter, too, can be a real SPAMfest.

In other words, the numbers don’t matter unless they translate into relationships or sales. Either/or.

You need to spend your time marketing to READERS. Pick your “ideal” reader and aim your promos to that one person—others, just like that ONE person, will soon find you.

Think about this:

You go to a conference, and an author shows you his book; he says he’ll buy yours if you buy his. Sweet—you got a sale! No, you didn’t. It’s a ploy, albeit an unknowing one. In effect, you traded books. Do him a favor: if you WANT TO READ that book, buy it. And review it, of course.

Which brings me back to the beginning—writers’ group(s) are essential for networking and feedback and socializing, but don’t make it a book exchange.