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| Pixabay.com |
In addition, we're not all writing novels. When I first started in the group, I was odd man out, writing essays and articles. Now it seems that everyone is writing something different, working in genres as diverse as playwriting, short stories, essays and novels -- and all that in a group of six. Even those of us who write novels are writing very different kinds of books.
As with any change, there is the opportunity for growth. A few months ago, we decided to open our meetings with a writing exercise. As the person who suggested the idea, I ended up taking on the responsibility of coming up with each month's exercise.
It's a challenge.
The other night, we welcomed a new member, and I wanted to pick something not too taxing. I thought it would be fun to ask everyone to share his or her writing process.
Was it ever.
Each person's process was a reflection of his/her personality, genre and the place writing held in his/her life. As we shared, each of us found ourselves saying, "I don't do that, but I do this instead," which opened up a window into processes so different -- and like -- our own.
As writers, we can live in a tunnel -- figuratively, anyway -- each of us carving out a writing niche that contains both work and process. The niche -- and the life itself -- may be big, small, quiet, noisy, secluded, chaotic or something else entirely. And, as a result, our processes vary widely, leaving each of us to bring something a little bit different to the table.
It was both fun and enlightening hearing the work habits of my colleagues. I jotted down a few ideas
that I thought were cool -- things to keep in mind when my own process isn't yielding the desired results. Since I write fiction, this also begged a question.
I wonder how my characters would fare in my colleagues' worlds.
Since I'm pretty happy with my process -- at least when things go according to plan -- I'm not sure I'll ever find out.
Was it ever.
Each person's process was a reflection of his/her personality, genre and the place writing held in his/her life. As we shared, each of us found ourselves saying, "I don't do that, but I do this instead," which opened up a window into processes so different -- and like -- our own.
As writers, we can live in a tunnel -- figuratively, anyway -- each of us carving out a writing niche that contains both work and process. The niche -- and the life itself -- may be big, small, quiet, noisy, secluded, chaotic or something else entirely. And, as a result, our processes vary widely, leaving each of us to bring something a little bit different to the table.
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| mohamed_hassan via Pixabay |
that I thought were cool -- things to keep in mind when my own process isn't yielding the desired results. Since I write fiction, this also begged a question.
I wonder how my characters would fare in my colleagues' worlds.
Since I'm pretty happy with my process -- at least when things go according to plan -- I'm not sure I'll ever find out.
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