Writing About Writing

Written by Rachael Lammie, November 16, 2023. Updated April 8, 2024.

November is often called writing month. As a writer, it is challenging to carve out space to write consistently. As with many creative pursuits, various factors affect writing quality and quantity. Many talented writers have shared their tricks and secrets to making this craft work for you when you want it to (not just when the muse decides to show up).

A tremendous amount of writing advice is widely available (check out Writer's Digest for great inspirational writing quotes). So, I am not about to present an exhaustive list of writing advice. However, I will summarize some critical writing points that are working for me during my current writing phase. Check out the status of Book Two by signing up for my newsletter!

Writing for 15 minutes per day is a long time.

Ironically, many authors don't spend the majority of their time writing. It's hard. The time spent writing compared to preparing the time to write continually varies and often seems out of our control. I scoffed when someone first advised me to write for 15 minutes a day. It seemed like a minuscule amount of time. I need hours to write. Not minutes. However, in the absence of hours, minutes do count. And sometimes, the less time we have, the more productive we are. So lately, I have been abiding by the 15-minute-per-day suggestion, and I am super happy with the results! I take the time to set myself up and focus for 15 minutes on the piece, chapter, or plot point I am trying to describe, and the words seem to flow. If you feel the flow, 15 minutes could quickly turn into more time. However, having manageable and tangible writing goals can go a long way to quality writing sessions.

Plotting is still writing.

Many authors suffer from imposter syndrome. It is so easy to feel discouraged! What makes a person a writer? It is not the number of published books nor their writing credentials. Think about how many books were published before specific degree programs even existed! You are a writer when you write. It is that simple. To avoid the feeling of imposter syndrome, I remind you that any form of writing is writing. Plot structures? Character summaries? Grocery list? Free writing sessions? This is all part of the writing process and makes you a writer. Writing is a form of communication. And any of the 'extra' forms of writing sets you up for success when you finally write with intent. It took me a year to plot out my first novel, Simon's Time. It took me only three months to write it.

We need plot points to drive action in our stories, and we need to believe we are writers to write. Writing paralysis is a common experience when we feel stumped. There are so many good quotes about not being able to edit blank pieces of paper. So when it comes down to it, ready or not, we must write.

How do we avoid writer's block in the first place?

Some authors have turned to AI programs to help beat writer's block. And that is a whole other blog post. But considering the pen-to-paper, keyboard-tapping writing process, you must complete a draft. I have been using what people call a skeleton draft instead of writing my second novel linearly. Don't get me wrong, linear writing is acceptable when it works! There is no wrong way to write. But I often feel overwhelmed during a chapter if I don't have all the pieces ready to get down on paper. So, I have been taking a bird's eye view while getting the main points down, knowing I will go back later to deepen the dialogue, character motivations, etc. Writing a novel is like working with puzzle pieces, and I continually switch views while writing. But having a working skeleton draft of my book seems to take the edge off the writing paralysis. Now I have my structure, and I don't have to think about what happens next as I write because I already know. I must go in and elaborate, which feels more manageable to do in the safety of the draft.

Writing alone can be lonely.

Writing has always appealed to me because I can sit with my thoughts before sharing them. The process, even if you are co-writing with another writer, is inevitably an independent task. Writing is literally the process of bridging what we can visualize in our heads to what happens on the page. The easy and fun parts are often the more enjoyable aspects of writing: this is most often the 'thinking about writing' and the final product. Writing can often feel challenging and empty when it does not go how we want.

Sometimes, there is flow. But we need inspiration for that to occur. And often, we get bored or frustrated, leading to dread when we finally think about sitting down to write. So, in honour of writing month, I give a shout-out to NaNoWriMo. This is an excellent platform for writers to connect. Scheduling in-person or online group writing sessions can help keep the creative flow. We must remember to share our writing journey via social media or a phone chat with a good friend. Please remember to make your writing process more solidified by staying connected to the world around you.

And if you still feel stuck, just jot down whatever notes come to you so they will be there when you are ready to write. I have finally identified this subtle fear that creeps in when I am not writing. It's a "what if I forget" type of fear. But I have come to believe that what hasn't been written yet cannot be lost. It will be there when we are ready.

How much control do we have over the creative process?

We are more than our work. But our work takes on a life of its own. It extends beyond ourselves. We have little control over what happens once it is "out there." But more than that, I am starting to learn that when we loosen our control over the outcome, it helps guide the writing process into an enjoyable act once again. As authors, we are the writing tools. We guide the process; the actual craft is from the muse or our maker.

(Edit to add): While the writing process is creative in terms of how we construct and present ideas, writers have a responsibility to ensure accurate, inclusive, and sensitive portrayals of the world around us. Since writing is a dynamic process, it involves a connection to readers and their experiences. Writers must be aware of what these experiences might be and how their writing might impact people in different ways. The following blog post provides writers a good reference for ensuring their writing is sensitive and appropriate in the context of the reader’s voice, particularly those voices that have been marginalized: https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/sensitive-writing-guide/. This mindfulness can go a long way to making sure readers feel safe and heard.

On a practical side, we must balance the creative setup with meeting deadlines. So, even when I'm not feeling super inspired, I still sit down and write something. This is where breaking the writing into manageable chunks helps. That way, the setup is established to allow room for the creative flow. This delicate balance between ebb and flow is a continually shifting experience. What works one day might not work the next. So, our job is to show up daily and see where it leads.

And remember to read! If we are disconnected from life around us, we will run out of things to write about. Thanks for reading, and happy writing.

Writing Resources:

Alliance of Independent Authors: Association For Self-Publishing Authors. https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/

30 Writing Tips to Make Writing Easier. Grammarly. https://www.grammarly.com/blog/writing-tips/

72 of the Best Quotes About Writing. Writer's Digest. https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/72-of-the-best-quotes-about-writing

How to Become a Better Writer: 11 Steps for Success. Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-better-writer

Ink Quotes. Good Reads. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/ink

NaNoWriMo. https://nanowrimo.org

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. Stephen King. https://a.co/d/aZimzqt

Sensitive Writing Guide. Website Planet. https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/sensitive-writing-guide/

Check out your local library’s and university's writing resources!