#TipfulTuesday Today I am presenting Vital Ingredients for Writing Well.
1. A vital ingredient for writing well is social interaction. (Observation/ideas) Sometimes we feel solitude is most important in order to write. We want a quiet, uninterrupted time. Hemingway thought that as well. Rent a small cottage back in the woods, far away from everyone and everything then we can have blissful writing. Just like the grass is not always greener on the other side, this solitude may not always be wise. There are many advantages to getting out and socializing among the masses. We overhear one-liners, see clothing, watch gestures. The truth is--much of our writing has hit a rut. We smile. We walk. We .... repeat and are not challenged or inspired by fresh new ways of communicating. I recently saw a series of movies with writers as the main character. In every case, the writer walked away from their screen and went out among the masses to find, morph, and create.
2. A vital ingredient for writing well is building your platform. (Encouragement/Marketing) Here is a new idea for you: I attended a mini-conference a week ago and learned about Instagram pods from Cyle Young. Joining an Instagram pod is great for connecting, networking, and building numbers. After researching the details and examining the pros and cons, I chose to present it to you. Instagram users can join a pod in which other users have the same interest. Each member is expected to like the post of other users. Participating in one builds your numbers. If the pod is big, members will be busy, because members must like everyone's post. Still, this is a new networking opportunity, and when you no longer want to fulfill the commitment, leave the group.
3. A vital ingredient to writing well is participating in a critique group. (New and refining Ideas from others) You will be amazed how many of your ideas can be deepened, sharpened, and tweaked by fellow writers. I joined the ACFW main Critique loop. From there I requested to join a small group. I bounced to a few different groups before landing on the perfect one, the one I've been with for many years. Nearly every writing organization has a small critique group opportunity. It may be through your local chapter, or like ACFW, through the main loop. Contact your organization and ask! You might be surprised how easy it is to find one.
To write stories, we need to have something to draw from. Experiences. Networking. Fresh ideas. Refined Ideas. New words. All of this only comes from walking away from the computer for a time and recharging.
I'm so glad you chose to stop by the Alley today. Hopefully, this short time has refreshed your mind and has enabled you to return to your scene with vitality.
~MaryVee
Photo by Mary Vee-Samaria, A hillside by one of Herod's Temples, Israel
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Excellent tips, Mary. There's a delicate balance between being disciplined and immersing ourselves in the life that feeds our creativity. I used to be in critique groups and loved them. For the past few years I've been working with successive single critique partners, a kind of critique serial monogamy. We need the "iron sharpening iron" aspect, but we also need to know someone else is going through the same stuff.
ReplyDeleteKathy Bailey
Hi, Kathy!
ReplyDeleteNot only do we also need to know someone else is going through the same stuff...but, also willing to cheer and lament with us, and us for them.
I'm so glad you stopped by today!!