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My Writing Process

Today I'm joining the Writing Blog Tour  to share my thoughts on my writing process. It was fun to reflect on the process instead of being involved in the writing process.

1) What am I working on?

I've tabled the mystery novel I started in the fall. I hope to get back to it -- there's a Christmas theme -- in the next few months. I've been working on a monthly piece for Manilla blog for the last two months and even though they are short pieces it's taken a lot of time and thought. I'm also trying to pull together a workbook on preparing for retirement. There's no date for the latter, but it's definitely on my agenda for 2014. This blog is the center of what I write and despite my sometimes absences, it's the base for everything else and the place I find the true north of my writing voice.


2) How does my work different from others of its genre?

It's my voice and composed of my thoughts and experiences. I've been making notes about mystery novels for a blog post and there are lots of mysteries and lots of authors. They all write mystery novels, but Janet Evanovich is different from Ian Rankin is different from Patricia Cornwell.


3) Why do I write what I do now?

I added the now to the question.  Really simply, I like these genres. I wrote as part of my job for years. I wrote letters, I wrote reports, I wrote for a newsletter and I wrote for our corporate website. I didn't always find these things especially fun and really didn't find some of the endless rewrites fun, but that was the job and I was glad to be paid to write and eventually, edit.

4) How does your writing process work?

Sometimes words just flow and I find I have a blog post that practically wrote itself. Other times, I make myself sit at the computer until the words are written down and a coherent, possibly good, article/post has emerged. I don't think of myself as wildly creative, but I've found the more I discipline myself the more creative I get. I can't wait for the muse to land on my shoulder.

I know there are great writers out in Buttercupland, and there's still time to be part of the Writing Blog Tour. The next posts are Monday, March 17. Please leave me a comment if you're interested.

I'm back in New York after my very fun weekend in Florida. Loved the weather, the company and seeing new sights. Happily, I came home to sunny and relatively warm weather here.

And since this post is about creativity...

I spent a very fun afternoon in Delray Beach yesterday and saw Mona Lisa reinterpreted at a local ice cream store. With apologies to Mr. Da Vinci. 

What are your thoughts on your writing process? Inquiring bloggers want to know!

As always, thanks for visiting. Have a great week and take very good care. 

7 comments

Terra said...

How grand that you are writing a mystery, one of my very favorite genres to read. I write nonfiction, as you know, and I give myself deadlines. Tee hee. One of the joys of being retired. Several of my friends who write novels like that writing program, is it called Scrivener?

TARYTERRE said...

I love the picture. How sweet with that cone. Inspiration comes every now and then. I too wait for the writing muse to come sit on my shoulder. It is wonderful when it does. Words flow and I have something to say. Otherwise my posts are mundane.

The Cranky said...

Truthfully? The muse terrifies me when she shows up and I take off running...well, jogging slowly...unless she catches me first and ties me to the computer. Why? Because I generally end up neglecting everything, and everyone, else.
You'd think I'd have some balance by this age.

Sola Scriptura said...

I'm happy to hear of your writing adventure! And that picture is great... I fancy some ice cream now :)

Theresa said...

It is fun to travel but always great to be back home:) I mostly write what is happening now with a look back at times past as well. Simple, just like me:)

Enjoy your day dear friend, ice cream sounds yummy!

Susie said...

Buttercup, I would love to read a book written by you. I think I have a big vocabulary...but not when it comes to writing. It is as if my speaking vocabulary is easier for me. So there is no way I could write a book...well maybe a children's book if there were no computers in it. LOL I remember reading some novels, then think , oh my gosh get to the point....too many words reaching a point almost make me nuts...just like this comment of mine. LOL. Dang !! Now , finally we know why the Mona Lisa smiles !! xoxox,Susie

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

I enjoyed reading about your writing process and what you are working on. I have just started playing around with ideas for a mystery novel, but I haven't written fiction in so long, it's intimidating. Not having a daily discipline is my big challenge.