Creative Writing’s Holy Trinity: Walk, Coffee, Window

I came across a writing app that gave me the heebie-jeebies. Don’t keep pounding on the keyboard and everything you’ve written in that session . . . poof. Is gone.

This, obviously, violates creative writing’s holy trinity: Go for a walk, drink some coffee, stare out the window. Those can be applied in any order at any time in the writing process. And repeated often.

Yes, you have to “keep writing” to get your book done but I have my doubts that “creativity by the clock” will give you good results. (And if your work went poof because you had to take a pottie break . . . .)

Note to those in the U.K. and India: You can substitute tea for coffee.

Just keep writing.

Sit Down, Shut Up, and Write

The chair on which ("on which" -- ooh, grammar!) JK Rowling wrote the first two Harry Potter books is up for auction next week. Should sell for a ton of money but here's the good news. It's not magical. Your chair works just fine for you writing your novel.

Just sit in it (the chair).

And write it (the novel).

There are no shortcuts. Heaven knows I've looked.

Just keep writing.

Right Here, Right Now: Write Here, Write Now!

This was an interesting interview – “Fran Lebowitz, A Humorist at Work” – but what I really liked was her last line:

“Writing is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Notice she doesn’t say full time. Or it’s the only thing she’s supposed to be doing.

If you have that feeling, too, it’s a pretty good indication that writing is what you’re supposed to be doing.

So, uh, do it.

Just keep writing.

Where Do You Write?

After reading an article on “The Writer’s Room: authors offer a glimpse into the space where they work,” I’ve decided:

--Most writers are borderline hoarders when it comes to stacks of papers, books and God only knows what else.

--Pretty much all writers have fancier rooms than mine. (The only antique in here is me.)

But, as Little Willie Sockspeare pointed out:

You can write a great book without having that “cabin by the lake”—your holy of holies, your retreat, your sanctuary—in which to write it. That’s good news, isn’t it?

I assume you’re not at that lake right now. Not looking out the huge picture window to gaze on a vast expanse of lake and forest and . . . . No! Wait. French doors. Looking out those French doors, which are open just a few inches so you can feel the breeze, take in the pine-scented fresh air, listen to the . . . Blah, blah, blah.

If you did own that “perfect” cabin, you’d have to worry about taxes and insurance and a leaky roof and . . . . 

Does that cabin have indoor plumbing? No? Then you might end up doing some suffering there on a cold, dark night when nature calls and you have to head for the outhouse.

Here are two views of the 8x8x8-foot cube-of-an-office my father-in-law built for me in 1988. In my garage. Not fancy but . . . I've written dozens of books in here, cranked out countless articles and columns, and spent an unimaginable amount of time staring out the window.

Here is my "real desk" -- buried in stuff.

And my "writing desk" -- with room on the left for a reference book or plate of donuts.

Just keep writing.

Everyone just starting out is unsure

I came across an article today about wannabe writers in India. I especially liked one young woman's "confession":

"You need guts to write. I am planning to get my book published soon, but as a young writer I have apprehensions at times whether my writing is good enough to be published,"

I remember that feeling. The simple, and scary, way of finding out is to do the best you can, finish it, and submit it for publication.

You can read the whole article here.

Just keep writing.

January Book Giveaway Totals

Unless my math is wrong (and, as an English major, I know that can happen), just shy of 5,000 of my books were given away last week.

Here are the totals for each:

How to Write Your Novel in Nine Weeks: 219

Mildred Nudge: A Widower’s Tale: 144

My Great-grandfather Turns 12 Today: 319

O Father: A Murder Mystery: 2011

Pope Bob: 1313

The Hidden Fortune: 207

The World’s Funniest Atheist: 669

Thank you to all who snagged one, or more.

Needless to say, but saying it anyway, they're all still available for sale. More information here.

Book reviews are always appreciated.

Just keep writing.

Free books!

My books are available for free January 12-16.

You can find out more here.

Just keep writing.