'Tis a Writer's Life (Tag)

A while back (and by that I mean. . .in Janury) the amazing Jameson @ Lovely Whatsoevers (doesn’t she have the sweetest blog name?) tagged me for the Writer’s Life Tag. A tag about the writer’s life? Obviously I had to do it! Because, ya know, sometimes I consider myself a writer. *she says as she’s sprawled out alone in her room with her laptop blogging and drinking coffee* Yeah. Only sometimes. . . #thewriterslifeistheonlylife

Ahem. Shall we?

Questions

Write-fuel: What do you eat/drink while writing?
Being as how I literally have a cup of coffee in my hand while typing this answer, we should probably go with coffee. (Also ever since a couple NaNoWriMos ago, I’ve taken up attempting to type with one hand, because my other one refuses to let go of the coffee. I’m getting faster at it.)

It’s very rare I eat while writing. “Having a break” is synonymous to me as “getting food.” I like to have a snack and then get back to writing. Though on occasion I have munched on a bag of chips while writing/editing and don’t want to stop. (Or it’s NaNo and I refuse to stop.)

Write-sounds: What do you listen to while writing?
Soundtracks is my writing blood. I have to have music while writing—it immerses me in the scene and makes me forget I’m even writing. But it has to be very specific music. Lyrical music distracts me too much (though it’s fine while blogging and such, just not writing fiction). I love soundtracks, epic scores, even quite a bit of video game music. Just any and all great instrumental pieces I can get my hands on. I like to have a piece or two that fits each scene while I’m writing it. Such as the big, dramatic epic scores for battle scenes, or melancholy violin solos for sad ones, etc.

Write-vice: What’s your most debilitating distraction?
Without a doubt, the internet. I always have good intentions. But then I get stuck on a word and need to check thesaurus.com, which leads me to other places, and then next thing I know I’m reading a list of peculiar words for no apparent reason. Or my phone will notify me I have an email, so obviously I have to go check it. Or I think I should tweet or Instagram that I’m writing. Well. . .you can guess what comes next once I’ve opened the twitter or IG app. The worst is when I pop over to Pinterest “real quick” to look up an article or writing tip I have pinned, or glance at a pic of one of my characters or scenery to get a visual. Let’s just say there’s a door to enter Pinterest, but there’s no exit. . . Basically, I should ban the Wi-Fi while I’m writing. Or, ya know, have more self-control, but we all know that’s not happening.

Write-horror: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you while writing?
Hm. . . Oddly enough, I don’t really have any major writing horror stories. I don’t have the normal tale of losing my writing. I’m obsessed with backing up my stories because I’m super de duper paranoid about losing things. I have all my writings backed up in so many different places, it’s getting kinda ridiculous. XD Better safe than sorry?

I guess self doubt is my worst enemy. Those times where I look back through my writing and just want to vomit are. . .not fun. I also get so overwhelmed with all the things it takes to get published. Sometimes I wonder what’s the point? Those are definitely some of my worst writing moments. But then I realize writing is life and I’d probably stop breathing if I ever stopped. So I get over it and keep on writing.

Write-joy: What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you while writing, or how do you celebrate small victories?
Oh, there’s so many joyful moments with writing! Finishing a novel is one of the best feelings in the world. Getting encouraging feedback from my writing makes me feel all fuzzy and giddy, and helps me keep pushing on when those doubts start creeping in.

I usually celebrate victories with food. Duh. Or just feeling satisfied and allowing myself to do something fun like read or watch a TV show.

Write-crew: Who do you communicate with or not communicate with while writing?
Every single Monday my dearest Deborah (or Celti as I call her) and I do “writing reports”, where we email each other all the writerly things we got done that week. We’ve been doing it for years now and I would not be nearly as far with my writing or have as much written if it weren’t for those reports. It keeps me accountable. I can’t bear reporting in on Monday and having to admit I didn’t do a thing productive writing-wise all week. My writing literally took a turning point the day we started doing it. I highly suggest getting an accountability partner. It’s the best! Also just fun. I so cherish our Monday reports, where we talk about writing and everything else that has happened through the week. I wouldn’t be the writer or even person I am today if not for my Celti. <3

I also chat quite a bit with Tracey, a.k.a the nicest person in the world. And then there’s blogging and talking with you all via blog comments.

Basically, I have the bestest writing internet buddies ever and I don’t know what I’d do without each and every one of you.

Write-secret: What’s your writing secret to success or hidden flaw?
Secret success? Hahahaha! I don’t think I have one of those. XD Except having an accountability partner to keep you writing like I mentioned above.

Hidden flaw? Mmm. . . I have so many flaws. You could probably just name something and I’m flawed at it. I think having the initiative to actually take the steps needed to getting published would be a big one. I’m, sadly, not the best at picking myself up and doing hard things. I can churn out a first draft, but the whole editing and searching for literary agents and querying type stuff. . .well, I could use a good shove. (I am trying to work on the editing part at least though. One step at a time, right?)

Write-spiration: What always makes you productive?
Goals! Goals, goals goals. If I’m not working toward a goal, I’ll probably just have a Netflix marathon. But if there’s a very specific goal in mind, I’ll get all OCD about it and obsess over making that goal. Such as during NaNoWriMo. Like I said, I need a shove to get things done. Only having myself to keep me accountable and productive gets me nowhere.

Write-peeve: What’s one thing writers do (or you do) that’s annoying?
Most things I do annoy me. I just annoy myself in general. Heh.

As far as other people. Um. . . I’m getting super tired of all these immoral heroes we’re supposed to “look up to” these days. Which I mentioned in my post last week and you guys probably don’t want me ranting again. XD

Write-words: Share one sentence from a project, past or present.
Okey dokey. This is from Burning Thorns, the story I’m currently (or should be currently) editing. And I’m too lazy to go through the document and choose one sentence out of the whole thing, so I’m just gonna do the very last sentence I typed.

“She caught one hazy glimpse of the torches heading for
the castle, her Dragon, before her vision faded into the dark.

~ ~ ~

This was too much fun to fill out. Huge thank you to you, Jameson, for the great tag! Sorry it took me a million years to get to. I’m bad about getting to tags, guys. . . I’ve got to do better.

Tagging

Tracey Dyck @ Adventure Awaits

Katie Grace @ A Writer's Faith

Skye Hoffert @ Ink Castles

Deborah O'Carroll @ The Road of a Writer

Mary Horton @ Sunshine and Scribblings

and any and all of you who want to join. It’s a free-for-all! *throws tag out to all* Also, if I tagged you and you’ve already done this one before, feel free to ignore me. My memory is smaller than a peanut, so. And of course there’s no obligation to actually do the tag! Goodness knows I don’t always get to the ones I’m tagged for. Shameful.

So! Do we share any of these experiences? I’m going to
make all of you answer at least one or two of these questions. *cackles*
What helps you stay productive while writing? And how do you
celebrate your writing victories? (Does it involve food? Pst. It should.)