Writers need certain things to make the writing process and their every day lives smoother for them. A good word processor or writing program, good ideas, a good knowledge of grammar and spelling, a dictionary, a thesaurus, and patience are only a few of those things.
Here are 7 things that *I* need to make my writing and life easier, and just might help you too:
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| By Scuddr |
A Stock-pile of Paper Plates
Yes, paper plates. You’re writing!! Why in the world would you get up and do dishes? The only exception to needing paper plates would be if you ate only chips, TV dinners, and/or fast food. I LOVE paper plates… Because I hate doing dishes when I could be writing.
A Stock-pile of Plastic Utensils
The Mr. Jekyl (think of the knives!) to your Dr. Hyde of paper plates. Again, to avoid doing dishes. Seriously.
A Stock-pile of Plastic Cups
Can you see where I’m going with this?
Multiple PersonalitiesIf you are like me, you have many personalities. I am a wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, maid, cook, remote control, chauffeur, nurse, teacher, student, secretary, AND writer… Just to name a few, and every one of those personalities help me in my writing.
Vodka/Tequila/Whiskey and Champagne
The hard liquor is for the hard part of writing… Getting through a scene traumatic to you because of the emotional ups and downs that leave your face soaked with tears and sticky with snot; getting through a scene that enrages you because of some asshole (character) doing something stupid and fucking up big time (even though that’s what s/he was suppose to do); getting through the fights with your characters over what should (or did) happen in certain scenes; getting through the rejection of queries; getting through editing; getting through… Well, you get what I mean by now.
The champagne is for when you are celebrating, be it a milestone of your first draft, a successful query (or two or three), or a contract for publishing. Beer is acceptable in every case as well.
Tough Skin
You will get rejections for your writing. This is an unavoidable fact… Not everyone is going to absolutely love your work. In fact, some people may down right hate it… Some people are really bad at critiquing. Try not to snap their heads off… People will doubt your credibility at your “day job” because you admit you are a writer. They don’t understand writing is hard work (or maybe they’re jealous too).
A Definitive Understanding of Yourself
You need to know this because it helps you to separate yourself from your characters. It also helps you find your writing style. If you don’t know who you are and why, you will never find your own style. If you can’t find your own style, you might as well, just stop what you’re doing right now and go on a retreat or something. Take time to discover who you are before you open up that project folder and start typing. And accept who you are, flaws and all. If there’s something about yourself you absolutely can’t stand, try to change it or just accept it and work around it. NEVER deny yourself the opportunity to know the most important person in your writing career… YOU!
Well, that’s the list. Is there something you didn’t expect that is now essential to your writing? Let me know!
Katie Doyle
Writing, Reading, and Life 
Nice post,very interesting, thanks for sharing.
Glad you stopped by=)