Getting into your writing zone

Before I get into my post, I'd just like to thank every single last one of you, who've graced me with your fabulous presence over the past 30 days. I've thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the A to Z Blogging Challenge, and look forward to taking part next year.

For my final entry to the A to Z Blogging Challenge *sniffle*, I'd like to dedicate Z for Zone.


As a writer, I feel there's a certain writing zone I get into: when the words flow from my pen/keyboard and, when I'm done for the day, I look back and think "that was an excellent day for my writing".


Naturally, I've been keen to try and capture the essence of this zone, to make sure all my writing sessions are as creative and productive as possible.


I would love to hear what you do to get into your zone. Do you just plonk yourself down infront of a blank page and open up a vein? Or do you, like me, require a bit of a mental pep-talk to get into the full swing of things?


I know it's only been a month, but I shall look back with tearful nostalgia over my last 25 posts and pick out some things that help me reach my zone. I'll probably print this page out and stick it to the wall above my writing desk, for further encouragement!

• Practice my craft - Make sure I use writing excersizes from the likes of Warwick University Writing Programme and Morgen Bailey's Writing Tips.

• Create a writing schedule - My fortnightly schedule is proving to be an excellent way to make sure I'm committing the hours to my writing (therefore increasing the opportunity to get in said zone!)

• Get rid of silly expectations - My new focus is to put the hours in and don't even look at that word count!

• Write short fiction - Coming up with wee stories such as The Fortune Teller and Ungrateful have been great for putting myself in the writing zone. Perfect for when working on my WIP starts to feel a bit tedious...

• Analyse narrative hooks - "It must look like an accident. Can you arrange that?" (Sidney Sheldon - Memories of Midnight) Finding out what pulls me in to a story as a reader inspires me to create my own hooks!

• Keep a journal - I keep a word document open whilst I'm writing, and often turn to it to vent before, during and after my projects. I like to write what I plan to do with my writing time, then make a note of what I'd like to do next, at the end of it! Extreme Zone-age!

• Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs - Keep a picture of the pyramid on my wall and select one of my character's "basic human needs" to toy with... muwahahahaa.

• Read Stephen King's "On Writing" - Instant Zonification, if you ask me. I defy you to read more than three pages without reaching for your pen!

• Listen to Radio 4 - Tuning into Podcasts such as "Books and Authors", "Play of The Week" and "A Point of View" always get my cogs whirring :)

• Use Motivational Wallpapers - Tough love desktop backgrounds such as this one speak my (foul) language:

Alas... the time has come for the end of the post. From now on, you will find me blogging here EVERY FRIDAY. Please add me to your Google Friend Connect thingymajig, or subscribe to get a wee notification for when I post.


My Z music video (I'm going to miss these) is Zero 7 with In The Waiting Line. And relax...

◦

Getting into your writing zone

Who's a crafty fella?

Today's challenge in the A to Z Blogging Challenge is dedicated to C for Craft.


I'm rather obsessed with the idea of perfecting my writing craft. If I'm not listening to podcasts on writing, I'm researching writing excersizes and printing off the ones I like most.


I thought I'd share some of my favourite ones with you today.

First up is a podcast from the Warwick University Writing Programme. I love how David Morley (the director and speaker) talks in depth about each of the areas of creative writing, before setting out the challenges, which include: Conflict and Crisis, Points of View and Murdering your darlings. Have a gander by clicking here.

Next is a website called Story Is Promise. The author, Bill Johnson, says "many writers who struggle and get rejected--myself included--fail because they violate the same foundation issues of storytelling" and he provides an Index of Essays dedicated to exploring these issues. It's really interesting; click here to have a peek.

PoeWar has a list of excellent writing excersizes. Their outlook: "Writing exercises are a great way to both increase your skill as a writer and to generate new ideas for future work. They can also give you a new perspective on your current project." If you're feeling uninspired, look at these Fifteen Writing Excersizes. If you're looking to give your main character a bit of misery, read How to create fictional characters using adversity.

Last (but not least) is one of my favourite writing podcasts: Bailey's Writing Tips. Morgen Bailey is fiercely passionate about the writing craft, which you can tell by her schedule: This lady breathes writing. I especially love listening to the author interviews, where the craft of writing is often discussed at length. Find out more about the podcasts here.

Have you any websites/podcasts you'd like to add to the table? Come on... feed my obsession!

Today's C Music Video is dedicated to Carmen, the opera. I remember being taken to see Carmen in primary school, and absolutely loved it. Enjoy!

◦

Who's a crafty fella?