A few weeks ago, I mentioned that Mondays were getting to be increasingly busy. With that in mind, I will be changing the Monday Update to the Wednesday Update. This will begin on March 18th. A new routine always lends itself to readjustment, so if I miss a Wednesday or two, please forgive me – and feel free to chew me out! I deserve it.
But there’s more than that changing. It’s a beautiful pre-spring day in PA. Not a cloud in the sky and temperatures near 70 degrees. Maybe the old weather-forecasting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, was right this year.
A change in the weather seems to bring a change in my writing habits. I tend to spend more time outdoors looking for subjects to write about than actually writing. Shame on me, but in one way or another, it’s all needed. When I want to rationalize, I can rationalize. Pretty good, don’t you think?
Actually, it’s all excuses to avoid doing what needs to be done. I am also a wonderful procrastinator. Unfortunately, procrastinating and rationalizing doesn’t accomplish much. Commitment and hard work do.
I said all that to say this. Writing is made up of more than just taking an idea from the brain and transferring it to the fingertips. There are legitimate times of looking for new subjects and situations to write about. Where would the writer be without taking time out to study the craft of writing? With so many articles and videos available on the internet these days, there is no excuse for not developing your writing skills. But it does take time – time away from forming the written word.
Time out to do research is always necessary, whether we are writing a factual or fictional piece. Good writing involves more than just typing away. Then we always have the editing process, which I hate. Anybody know what I’m talking about? Writing takes place between gathering your information and editing. Good writing takes place after the final edit. There really is no way around it. So on this beautiful Monday, suck it up, and let’s get to it! See you the 18th.
WFK
no problem with a post this time. Happy Thursday!
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Ruby, I’m not sure what happened the first time, but this one came through okay. Hopefully, it’s working again. Happy Thursday!
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There are times when I hate research, especially if it’s difficult to find the information. Other times I love it. I love to research some of my hubpages articles, like Bibe customs, bible issues, common sayings and idioms from near and far. But I find research for fiction challenging and it takes a lot out of me, but I want to be authentic. I know you have done a lot of research for some of your books, specially Pinpoint where you talked about the Bermuda triangle.
I here stories by everyday people and jot them down sometimes for future use, the same with names and places, people. As you always say, keep on keeping on.
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I’m glad someone can identify, Lori. What I can’t stand about research is to verify street names and addresses of important locations. Marisol has been a challenge since I’ve never been to New Mexico or Ashburn Virginia. On the other hand, I enjoyed the research for Pinpoint. I learned a lot through the process. Keep on keeping on, Commander!
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William, I wrote a comment on this post and it said that it could not be posted. No reason was given. Thought you should know.Ruby Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: My Very Own Writing CoachSent: Monday, March 9, 2020 11:46 AMTo: rjfuller81@gmail.comSubject: [New post] Time for a Change My Very Own Writing Coach posted: " A few weeks ago, I mentioned that Mondays were getting to be increasingly busy. With that in mind, I will be changing the Monday Update to the Wednesday Update. This will begin on March 18th. A new routine always lends itself to readjustment, so if I mi"
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Not sure what the problem might have been, Ruby. If you don’t mind, could you try to send another one as a test? If it continues, let me know and I’ll check into it. Sorry for the inconvenience.
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I really can’t remember what I said exactly, something about Mondays were hectic an in the summer I liked being outside rather than writing. Happy Tuesday!
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