Finding acorns

Read to write well

Reading to write well is nothing new. Many writers recommend reading as a way of learning what works and what doesn't.

Lately I've been devouring books - a novelty for me in a busy world. Those moments on the train when the carriage ebbs along the track from the bayside to the city are my place to disappear between the covers of a good book; so much so that on occasion I've almost missed my stop!

In the past, I confessed to being a fickle reader, but lately that hasn't been the case. I've been reading everything from chic lit to award-winning non-fiction and finally read Eat Pray Love for the first time.

I read for all sorts of reasons - to be entertained, to switch off my brain, to learn, to be inspired, to immerse myself in another culture and simply for the pleasure of curling up on the lounge on a rainy day with a good book (a rare treat).

I don't think as writers we need to read the genre we write all the time. Reading other genres can open up new ways of approaching our writing and perhaps inspire us to try our hand at something new.

I believe that writing is a constantly evolving form and we should push the boundaries to tell our stories in new ways. Sure there are proven formulas for writing stories, but where's the challenge in that. It would sadden me to think that until the end of time we would continue to follow the same formula and books would look and read the same as they have for centuries.

Fortunately the digital age presents new opportunities and whether we like it not, readers are demanding new ways of receiving information, or at the least - multiple ways.

Take Sibella Court for example. Court has perfected the art of creating a tactile reading experience and allowing her work to live beyond the page. She has 10,000 Instagram followers (@sibellacourt), 3079 Pinterest followers, a store The Society inc, a blog, some very cool Vimeo clips and more. Watch this clip to find out what her new book is all about.

Bowerbird by Sibella Court from Sibella Court - The Society inc. on Vimeo.

Obviously Court's work lends itself to these visual platforms and while it could be perceived as purely marketing, it's also authentic story-telling which is why it works.

However we tell or promote our stories, there are some things that will always remain true:

• Write with honesty - tell it like it really is; the gritty stuff and all.
• Discover your own writing voice - we all have a unique way of seeing and describing the world and a right to express that.
• Release your fear of being judged - accept that you will be and there will always be people who don't like your work. Think of it like primary school all over again!
• Read, read, read! - for whatever reason.  
• And one for the digital age - experiment, explore and create new ways of telling and promoting your stories.

 

My writing will come...

It feels like I haven’t written creatively in a long time. A friend reminded the other day that I do write. I write for work, I write poetry, I write prose, I keep a journal and I’ve even taken to writing on iPhone Notes on the train.

What I haven’t been writing is my novels - the two unfinished/un-edited ones that I blog about a lot.  

For years I was focused on them and had a dedicated writing practice. It was even an adaptable practice - constantly changing as my children grew. I could type one handed with a baby sleeping in my arm. I braved the winter cold to write at 4am when the house was quiet, it was still dark outside and a giant cup of coffee kept me awake. I wrote in noisy cafes on a Saturday morning. I could even squeeze writing into a small pocket of time before work. And other days I would sit in the State Library for hours and tap away at my keyboard. 

Now I think about writing but seem to fill my time with other things...yoga, work, hanging out at the beach with my kids, catching up with friends... and the list goes on.  

Take today for instance. After a morning yoga class I had 5 hours before my kiddies arrived home. In my previous writing life 5 hours would have been an absolute blessing. 

I had a luxurious 5 hours in which I could have written thousands of words. Unhurried, stress-free with ample re-fueling breaks in-between. 

Embarrassingly I spring cleaned instead. Since when do I spring clean!? I had to stop myself from cleaning the walls with sugar soap - i) because I was completely over cleaning and ii) I realised I didn’t care that there were kiddie finger prints on the walls - in fact, I quite liked them. 

Clearly on this occasion I had ignored Carmel Bird’s advice in Dear Writer: The Classic Guide to Writing Fiction: 

‘You have the choice of a clean house or a finished story.’

Why don't I write?

I guess for me, the bigger question is why don’t I write? Why when I’m presented with a perfect 5 hour window of time in which to write I choose to do something I absolutely hate instead!? 

Gary Disher seems to think writer block is caused by ‘failure of nerve, domestic and personal upheavals, fear of rejection, boredom, insufficient preparation and miscalculating the scope of an idea.’

I wondered recently if my lack of desire to write was related to changes in my personal situation. So I’m ‘unravelling‘ with Susannah Conway’s e-course to try and work that out. I figure by the time I’m finished the course there will be nothing holding me back! 

Some more advice on writer's block...

Twyla Tharp in The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It For Life sums it up nicely in one sentence:

‘Writer’s block means your engine has shut down and the tank is empty.’  

The last book I searched for advice on writer’s block was my favourite book on creative writing; Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. Anne Lamott recommends writing 300 words a day - about anything and that by establishing a habit, eventually you’ll overcome your writer’s block.  

I want to write...

The crazy thing is I think about my first novel a lot. When I’m walking along the bay and can see Stradbroke Island in the distance, when I’m collecting shells and she oak acorns on the beach with my kids, when I write about growing up on the coast of northern NSW...

It’s all there. There is nothing else I need to tell the story. I just have to start writing my first novel again...

 

Books I referenced on creative writing:

Bird, Carmel (1996) Dear Writer: The Classic Guide to Writing Fiction, Vintage Books, Australia.

Disher, Gary (2001) Writing Fiction: An Introduction to the Craft, Allen & Unwin, NSW.

Tharp, Twyla (2006) The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It For Life, Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, New York.

Lamott, Anne (2009) Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, Scribe, Melbourne.

Rediscovering creative writing

While a cathartic process to write about not being able to write creatively, my last blog post also got me thinking about the things I love about writing.

Mostly I love escaping into a fictional world and following my characters on their journey. I'm not a planner when it comes to creative writing; I much prefer to free write and see what comes out.

This approach sometimes makes editing and re-writing a challenge but I think it would take away my creative writing joy to approach it too formally.

I also love the way writing evokes all my senses, both on and off the page. Suddenly the world around me becomes more vivid and I notice little details.

  

  

Without the pressure to force myself to write, I've been enjoying rediscovering my connection to writing again.

Here are some things I've been doing this week to encourage my writing:

• Re-reading a favourite book. The Lambing Flat by Nerida Newton is a book I loved the first and second time I read it. What better way to be inspired than to read good writing. 
• Reading my collection of free writing - prose, journal entries and previous drafts of my first novel made me realise that I can write...sometimes. It might not all be great but there are good bits that I can work with. 
• Carrying a tiny notebook with me to jot down the things I want to include in my first novel - ideas about character, setting and structure.
• Yoga, yoga and more yoga. Yoga helps to clear my mind, re-focus my energy and open pathways to explore new ideas with a fresh perspective. I practice here and sometimes here. 
• Re-arranging my desk. Come on we've all done it. Though I must admit I took it one step further and rearranged my entire room!
• Compiling a mix tape of creative tunes - perhaps you like mellow tunes, or upbeat. Mine is a combination of happy tunes and world music. 
• Discovering a new place to write. Lucky for me a lovely new cafe opened in my area; Dramanti Artisan Roaster - an inspiring space to tap away on my laptop for a couple of hours on the weekend. Of course it was also a good excuse to enjoy a great coffee and homemade chocolate brownie! 
• Re-writing from the beginning. I can't guarantee I'll continue writing each chapter in order but beginning the process of actually writing again is a start. 

How do you rediscover your writing?

 

Is this writer's block?

I haven't written creatively for a while... or blogged about creative writing. The truth is I don't have make the time to write.

The thought of sitting at my desk in my spare time to write creatively when I could be outside in the sunshine, at a yoga class, catching up with family and friends, living... is far more appealing.

A lot has changed in my life in the past year and while I've come a long way, I'm still trying to work out where some things fit in my new life. It's also 100 times more hectic than it used to be, but I know that's no excuse not to write. There have been times when I've written 'til all hours of the night or got up in the dark at 4am because I had a burning passion to write.

Don't get me wrong; I miss it. But I'm also honest enough to admit that if the drive isn't there, I'm not going to force the words onto the page. I want it to come from the right place.

Like the feeling I get when I roll out my yoga mat, complete a challenging class, new asana or simply just breathe. That's where creativity comes from.

I asked myself the following questions and here were my honest answers:

Why do I want to write?

I want to tell a story; to entertain. Forget about clever language/prose, just tell the story.

Do I like what I'm writing about?

First novel - yes - pursue this.

Second novel - no    

What's hard?

I try to make my stories complex. Keep it simple.

What would happen if I let my stories go?

I would always wonder what my first novel could have been.

So there you have it - word for word the honest answers I wrote on an A3 sheet of paper. 

I know I'll write creatively again. It's part of who I am. And maybe that's why I'm prepared to let it be for now.

Have you ever felt like this?

Visual stories

As a writer, I admire photographers and poets. They have the ability to distill meaning and stories into a single frame or page. Some poets need only a few lines to draw an image in your mind that is so crisp.

As a writer, there is pressure to get as many words on the page as possible, so that when it comes time to edit, you have words to lose.

But sometimes it doesn't matter how many words you write or speak, the message is still unclear. Sometimes a single frame can capture what you're feeling deep inside...

There are authors I love for their scarce prose - Maxence Fermine ('Snow' and 'The Bee Keeper'), Tara June Winch ('Swallow the Air'), Nerida Newton ('The Lambing Flat') and Patrick Cullen ('What Came Between').

With a lean style comes a raw honesty, because all the superfluous words have been stripped away.

I hope that digital publishing sees a return to the shorter writing forms - short stories, novellas - and perhaps new forms of writing that take advantage of the opportunities that the digital space offers.

 

You can follow me on Instagram @findingacorns to discover my visual stories. Here's a sneak peek...

        

Welcome to my new blog home!

Yes, you've come to the right place. Finding acorns just looks a little different on the outside, thanks to a blog makeover! 

A huge thank you to the talented Michelle at Shelbyville for turning my acorn story into a blog banner that's a true reflection of what Finding acorns is all about. 

Finding acorns is about the potential for our creative ideas and words to grow. It explores how to generate ideas, how to get the words on the page, and most importantly - how to keep the writing going.

Blogging about creative writing

I'll still be blogging about creative writing, the books I read and inspiration that fuels my creativity. I intend to blog more, now that I have a new home here and in the real world. That ever needed space to create has opened up, and for me that means inspiration!

So expect to hear more about finishing my two manuscripts as I warm up my writing muscles again. It's been a while since I dusted off the manuscripts so no doubt there will be some tentative first steps and cringing at the words on the page. But don't worry - you'll hear all about it!

Knowing me, those tentative steps will very soon give way to diving head first into whatever I'm doing!

 

Adjusting to change 

I've had a little break from any serious creative writing or editing while I found my new home and adjusted to my new life. I've continued writing - journalling and free writing in small bursts, and I've also taken "research" to a whole new level! 

Now I'm ready to write and edit again, knowing that I'm in the right frame of mind and space to write well. 

 

My new home in the 'real' world...

Now you've seen my new blog home, here's a little sneak peak at my new home in the real world.

 

This is where I write...

(perfect rainy day writing weather!)

and this is where I feel inspired...

(fresh air and bush surrounds).

Meet my lovely book collection...

(only 26 unread books + two from this morning's second-hand bookstore visit!)

This is where I love to write, read or walk when the weather is sublime...

Welcome to my new blog home! - I look forward to sharing more of my creative writing journey with you and hearing all about yours.

'Start small' approach to creative writing

If you're like me, it's now March and you've yet to establish a creative writing routine for 2012 (so lovingly highlighted by the arrival of the March issue of WQ).

Rather than punish myself with a gruelling (and perhaps unachievable) creative writing routine, I'm opting for a 'start small' approach.

There are certain times in our creative writing life when for whatever reason (life, work, family), finding time to write is a challenge. Rather than abandon your creative writing altogether, here are a few tips to help you keep your writing going.

1. Start with your easiest creative writing project - the one you feel most connected to.
2. Set aside 20 minutes a day to write (easily do-able on the train, before bed, in your lunch hour or in the quiet of early morning).
3. Enlist the nagging of a friend who can ask you if you've done your 20 minutes writing each day.
4. Give yourself the creative freedom to write what you want. One day it might be your novel, the next it could be prose or a poem.
5. Get back to basics with creative writing exercises - an easy way to fill 20 minutes if you're feeling uninspired.
6. Celebrate the small wins. A new scene in your novel or a piece of prose is still creative writing and worthy of a pat on the back.

The writing life is full of ebbs and flows. Rather than abandon your writing, why not take 20 minutes a day to keep your creative writing going. The results may surprise you.

Feel free to share your tips on writing routines that work for you.

Journal writing for creative writers

A little while ago, in a cleansing process, I went through 17 journals and the past seven years of my life.

It was a cathartic experience to say the least. 

I was searching for pieces to use in my creative writing - those raw emotions recorded 'in the moment'. 

I thought that in 17 journals there would be a tonne of material to use. I was wrong. Most of what I’d written was the kind of stuff you think but don’t say and instead write down to get it out of your head.

Yet optimistic, with printer beside me, I eagerly copied any pages that contained some gems to work with.

After a day of reading and digesting my life of the past seven years I breathed a sign of relief that I’d survived the mammoth task. 

Then, true to my intention, I divided the ‘gems’ from my life into experiences, concepts, memories, ideas and writing.

Here’s a sample of what I found...

• Funny experience going for a job interview in London (my very own comedy of errors!)
• Vivid account of the Adriatic Sea in Dubrovnik and rust-coloured Sienna
• Ink sketches in Florence 
• Granada making an impression on my travelling heart
• Raw accounts of early motherhood
• Descriptions of seasons and places; summer rain, Bryon Bay, Lennox Head and the coastal stretches of Northern NSW
• Reflections on transience, travel, home, and mother V artist. 

Creative Writing

Journal writing is writing practise; both the habit of getting words on the page and an exercise in interpreting the world and recording experiences. Some of my favourite journal entries are the descriptions of a place that are so vivid you are transported to that moment again.

The process of going through my journals re-confirmed that I’m writing about what I know in my two un-edited manuscripts. 

So I’m taking the little gems I’ve found and weaving them into my two manuscripts and creating something new with others. That’s the joy of life (and travel in particular). It provides great fodder with which to create stories. 

Just last night I wrote 4oo or so words of prose about a recent life experience. Not only did it feel good to work my creative writing muscles again after some time away, but it reminded me that I don’t always have to launch into a manuscript in order to write. 

Some of the most beautiful writing is a piece of prose, a description of a place on the other side of the world or something closer to the domestic hearth that speaks to every mother’s sensibility.

What do you write about in your journal?

Creative writing inspiration

I'm the first to admit that sometimes I write often and other times I don't write at all. While my experience has proven that writing routines work, sometimes life has other ideas.

Here are the places I've found inspiration this festive season...

Writing Queensland - Motivation Issue

Just when I was starting to lapse into a comma of post-festive parties and absorb the distraction of all things glittery this time of year, along came the latest issue of Writing Queensland.

Very thoughtfully the November issue focuses on the one thing writers need most - Motivation!

It contains articles on everything from project management for writers, to re-labelling writer's block 'writer's pause' and this advice from Dianne (Di) Bates, author of more than 110 books:

'Superglue: that's the answer I give when people ask how I motivate myself to write day after day. Apply it to the seat of your pants and face the screen.'

We're all looking for a secret formula, but in truth, Bates is right. If you want to be a writer, you just have to sit down and write. It really is that simple.

Other advice I took away was from an interesting article by Alison Goodman about how 'the fear of digging deep' can stop you writing. She suggested free writing to overcome this fear. Goodman also suggested breaking down your writing into scenes rather than facing the entire novel. 

 

Writing and yoga

Generally I write least when I have a lot on my mind. My weekly yoga class is a good indication of how my body and mind are feeling. I can tell by the poses I can do with ease and those I find more challenging in a class, where my blocks are. 

Poses I find useful for overcoming writers block are warrior (focus) and one legged chair (endurance and stamina), and setting the intention before class to still my mind. It's amazing the inspiration that comes when your mind is free of all distractions.

If you're interested in developing the writing and yoga connection further, check out Sarah Armstrong's Writing and Yoga Retreats or pop along to your local yoga class. Here's mine.

 

Space to write

As a working Mum, finding time to write, or wanting to do anything other than 'nothing' when I do have free-time is a constant challenge. The key for me is finding the balance between writing, down-time and living. It sounds simple in theory but it's more difficult in practise. 

The reality is, we all have busy lives and if you want to write, you will. In the words of Bates: 'Superglue - that's the answer.' 

 Happy writing this festive season.

 

Truth #3: Writing routines work

I've been back on the writing train for a little over five weeks and I have to confess that having a writing routine is actually working.

 As much as I can dream, I don't have the luxury of full days to write. The most I write is 1/2 hour - 1 hour most days. But because it's almost every day, it's enough.

By having a writing routine there's no re-acquainting with the story each time I sit down to write. Generally I scrawl down some notes at the end of a writing session that are launch points for the next.

Or else they give me something to think about in between writing. It's almost like the creative brain keeps working even though I'm not physically sitting down to write.

Of course there are days when I don't feel like writing. Sometimes I give into the urge to do nothing and other times I write anyway. Surprisingly, I've had some productive writing sessions that began with not feeling like writing at all.

Now when I hold the first half of my manuscript in my hands it feels heavier than when I began. There are torn ring-bound pages poking out the edges where the characters and story have expanded. And I'm back in the middle story zone again.

But if past experience is anything to go by, I'll need more than a writing routine to get through the middle story successfully! I have a few ideas up my sleeve that I'll share in my next post...

 

If you like this post, you might also like:

Time management for writers

Write every day

Truth #2: Use all your writing devices

There is no one way to write. Everyone has approaches to writing that work for them. Part of the joy of writing is discovering what writing process works for you.

For me that process is free writing. I won't harp on about it here, but if your interested you can read my previous post on free writing.

Free writing doesn't just come to me in a flash of inspiration. I rely on a huge bank of writing devices that I've collected over the years.

Here are some writing devices I've been using lately:

• Going back to my research to find something new. In my case, this was a picture of a cottage on the Swan River. The picture was simply a cue to write about the house in my story, that I hadn't actually done yet!
• Asking questions of my manuscript. I'm using a question from the Rachel DeWoskin workshop I attended at the BWF - 'If I was reading this story, what would I want to know?' It works for me because I have a lean writing style. I rely too much on white space and this conflicts with a readers need for clarity. It's a sure way to keep your focus on taking the reader on a journey.
• Writing exercises. I didn't launch back into my Nano novella on the first day. Sitting on the train I was stranded on the first sentence. After many alterations it still wasn't right and I couldn't see a way to fix it. I'd forgotten that my writing muscles needed to limber up again. Not wanting to renege on my 'write every day' commitment, I returned to basics - a writing exercise. I spent 15 minutes and one page trying to rediscover the shape, form and rhythm of sentences again. And remembering the little details - the ones that bring stories to life.

If you'd like to try some writing exercises - check out Creative Juice.

 

Truth #1: The pen is mightier than the keyboard

Since starting a new writing routine three weeks ago, I've made some interesting discoveries that I thought I'd share over the next few posts. I label them 'truths' because they challenge common perceptions about the creative writing process.

I know this first truth is a big call in the technology age (and for a self-proclaimed Mac lover!) but I've discovered a connection between 'old fashioned' pen and paper and my creativity.

Max Walker, former Australian cricketer and author of 14 books, talks about the connection between his fountain pens and creativity in this video that I first saw on the ABC Collectors show.

'The big black ribbon on paper opens up the creative gate for me,' Walker says.

If I think back to all the times I've been writing well (by 'well' I mean - staying focused) it's been just me, a notepad and a pen. Nothing fancy like Max Walker's fountain pens - just a plain spiral bound book and a papermate biro. But the organic connection Walker explains is the same.

The whole point of the 'nothing fancy' implements for me is that they provide a canvas for making mistakes, and detachment from my words. This sounds like a contradiction to the connection I mentioned earlier but it enables me to write freely and edit ruthlessly which I believe is the best environment for creating.

At highschool I was known as the girl with neat writing. But when it comes to creative writing I'm completely messy! I scrawl, scratch and scribble out all over the page in an effort to keep up with my ideas.

This leads me to another truth that I'll write about in my next post. 

Write every day

Things have been a little quiet on the writing front for me (ok - a lot quiet). A friend asked a few weeks ago how my writing was going and ashamedly my response was - 'crap'. From that day onwards I've been devising ways to get my writing groove back (a.k.a. procrastinating even more!). 

Maybe it's a seasonal thing. It was around this time last year that I wrote about getting my writing groove back - after the Brisbane Writers Festival, which is only 7 days away. 

Can I blame Winter for stealing my creativity - paralysing my writing muscles?

In all fairness to the season that tends to get blamed for a lot, life has been a little...transitional...lately. I'm not sure that's the right word for it, but I liken my life at the moment to that transient feeling you get when you're travelling. People come and go, new places, new faces and sometimes it's hard to pin down your thoughts. Or in the case of writing - establish a routine. 

But those of you who've been reading my blog since the beginning will know that transience is no excuse for not writing. In fact - every day before going to work in London I'd sit in a cosy cafe and write. Those are some of my fondest writing memories.

So, after giving myself a kick up the butt, I set about establishing a new writing routine. I don't know about you, but my writing routine is always changing.

I know it sounds boring - the concept of apply logic and order to a creative state. But many of the great writers attested to having a writing routine; usually in the morning, and afternoons filled with walks and 'thinking' time to cultivate ideas for the next day's writing. 

While the concept of days spend writing and walking is a little unrealistic for a regular person like me, who juggles work, kid wrangling and more, surely I can apply the same concept of writing every day in a scaled down version. 

So after reaffirming my writing goals (given that it's been sooo...long since I've written - creatively that is) my next challenge was to squeeze writing time into my life. I was heartened by a comment by Gretchen Rubin in her book The Happiness Project - 

'By doing a little bit each day, you can get a lot accomplished.'

Realistically I only managed to find 6 hours a week. While it doesn't sound like a lot, it's not much less than I've ever really managed to find for my writing, and it's the best I can do at the moment. I'm just glad I found my love of writing again; that I didn't pack it away in one of the boxes.

My study may feel 'temporary' but I'm expecting great things to be created there over the next month or so... 

as I write a little bit each day...

and hope that it adds up to a lot.

Revisiting my first novel

After weeks of not being able to write creatively for personal reasons, I’ve finally had a breakthrough. It feels great to have my fingers tapping on the keyboard again - committing words to the page and exploring new story angles.

What’s more exciting is that I’m revisiting my first novel (yes - the one that forced me to start this blog two years ago and the one I’ve been writing for more years than I care to admit).

I’ve written before about elements of my story that aren’t working and how difficult this rewrite will be. Most of all, I've questioned if my first novel is salvageable.

I often refer to my first novel as 'my training ground' - the place where I learnt and grew as a writer. I always knew I would come back to it because it’s a story I want to tell. I just didn’t know it would be this soon...

But recent experiences have opened my eyes to new possibilities for this story that I can’t seem to let go of. Not being one to quash the creative urge, I’m pursuing it. 

I know it’s not an easy task. I dive into my first novel again with only five pages of information. It contains the important things: intention, premise, characters, setting (a personal favourite), plot points (exposition, middle, climax and ending), POV, themes and symbols, tone, research required and experiences to draw on. No unnecessary clutter that would only confuse the story.

The rest I’ve archived and stored in my memory. Some characters have been cut and there's a major story change. I thank my recent writing class with Trent Jamieson for that.

Wish me luck as I delve into my first novel again. I’d love to hear from anyone else revisiting a first novel or archived manuscript.

Feel free to share your tips for approaching the task of a rewrite in the comments section below.

Creative Juice

Weekly Writing Exercise

This week's writing exercise is inspired by my corporate world. In a group discussion about 'community' we agreed that it was important to tell stories. And the best stories come from people who are passionate about things. The same applies to creative writing. We are often told to write about what we know, but it's equally important to write about things we care about. With that in mind, let's get started on this week's creative writing exercise. 

Firstly, write a list of all the things you are passionate about. It could be anything - a global cause, a local cause, a memorable place or a favourite past time. In fact, anything you can write about with passion and conviction. This list will serve as inspiration whenever you have writer's block.

Next, choose one of these things and write a page about it (if you can contain yourself to one page!). 

Alternatively, you may like to free write a scene that demonstrates your passion. Or perhaps you'd like to write a list from the point of view of one of your characters, as a way of getting to know them.

Some of the things on my list are: mothering, conscious living, equality, self-expression, beach culture and the small things in life.

What things are you passionate about?

 

If you'd like to contribute a writing exercise to 'Creative Juice' drop me a line at susanbonaci@bigpond.com and don't forget to include your name and URL. All contributions will be acknowledged.

 

Creative Juice

Weekly Writing Exercise

At the risk of sounding like a 'nerd', I have to admit that there was a time in my childhood when I decided I would start reading the dictionary. I remember I was in primary school and it was around the time we graduated from the colour version with pictures to the grown-up dictionary. Admittedly I didn't make it much past the c's because by that stage I'd moved onto the World Book Encyclopedia collection. But all the same, the dictionary was an interesting read.

So in honour of the inner 'nerd', I thought we'd use the humble dictionary as inspiration for this week's writing exercise. I'm not suggesting you begin reading it, but simply open it to any page and choose a word.

Write the word that resonates most with you at the top of a blank page. Then, write whatever comes into your mind however related or unrelated it is to your chosen word.

If you get stuck, try using an alternate meaning for your word if it is listed in the dictionary.

 

If you'd like to contribute a writing exercise to 'Creative Juice' drop me a line at susanbonaci@bigpond.com and don't forget to include your name and URL. All contributions will be acknowledged.

 

Creative Juice

Weekly Writing Exercises

This week's creative writing exercise is another favourite used in creative writing classes.

Write down the first line of any book at the top of your page. Then, continue writing for 20 minutes.

Obviously the idea isn't to transcribe the events of that story, but rather create your own story. As an example, you could use the first line from Truman Capote's 'Breakfast At Tiffany's': I am always drawn back to the places where I have lived, the houses and their neighbourhoods. For instance...' Or perhaps the beginning of the second paragraph: 'It never occured to me...'

If you're using the Truman Capote examples, perhaps try telling the story from the point of view of the character you created in last week's writing exercise.

 

If you'd like to contribute a writing exercise to 'Creative Juice' drop me a line at susanbonaci@bigpond.com and don't forget to include your name and URL. All contributions will be acknowledged.

Weekly Writing Exercises

Creative Juice was launched last week as a place to provide weekly writing exercises to help inspire your creative writing. You can check out last week's writing exercise for 3 tips before you get started. Otherwise, pens or keyboards ready...here's this week's writing exercise...

Think of a time in your childhood when your memories are most vivid. Then, write for 20 minutes, describing these memories using all your senses. What did you see, smell, taste, hear and touch? Think of memories that are very distinctive for that period of time and can transport you immediately to your childhood place.

Creative Juice

Weekly writing exercises

Welcome to my new section. Creative Juice is all about getting your creative writing juices flowing. Each week I'll post a writing exercise to help get your creative writing started. Who knows what stories you'll uncover through these exercises. Here are 3 tips before you get started:

1. Try free writing - a useful technique for getting words on the page

2. Set an alarm for the time limit specified - so you can concentrate on writing instead of watching the clock

3. Use whatever writing tools work for you - pen and paper, laptop or vintage typewriter! Try different methods and compare the results.

To get started, here's your first dose of Creative Juice...

Choose a headline from your local newspaper and write about the topic for 20 minutes. Write whatever comes into your mind without editing your thoughts. 

Establishing good writing habits

Do you ever get the feeling that your writing habits are waning? That all that focused energy you invested is slowly slipping away as the silly season approaches. Lately I've been thinking about asking Santa for a writing mentorship to re-invigorate my writing and establish a good writing routine. 

Some days I consider giving my creative writing away. But it's not an option. I never get further than that initial thought. The innate need and desire to write is always there. My only frustration is time. Though I'm the first to admit that sometimes having less time makes the desire stronger and the writing time you do have more productive. 

While this all sounds good on the page, establishing regular writing habits is necessary in order to get words on the page. Lately I've found my creative writing habits waning and when I do get back into it I feel out of practise. Rather like trying to run a marathon without doing any training. It's that constant need to re-aquaint yourself with your story and characters and get the creative juices flowing again.

Perhaps there's value in establishing a good writing routine. Committing to writing a certain number of words each day, or allocating a set amount of time to write.

If I look at the times when my writing was most successful, it definitely wasn't around Christmas time! In fact, it was this time last year I wrote a post about Christmas-itis. 4am starts seemed to work for a while and cafe writing before work also had a place. So what now?

I'm throwing it open to you. What's your writing routine? What writing habits work for you? (especially around the silly season!)

Back in the creative writing groove - free writing and making connections

After weeks of absorbing inspiration and the Brisbane Writers Festival a distant memory, I'm now back in the creative writing groove. With a final macro edit of my Nano novel complete I'm about to embark on the micro edit. Just quietly - I'm secretly happy to be out of macro territory. Not that I don't love the macro view, I just find micro editing easier. Or perhaps I've reached that point in the editing process where I feel ready to tackle the detail knowing that the big stuff (structure, characters and continuity) has been resolved.

All that was missing in finalising the macro edit was a chapter re-write. And thanks to the Australian Writer's Marketplace online writing race Tuesday night I managed to free write that chapter. The free writing process still amazes me. That the act of blocking your censors and writing without thinking can result in exploring directions you hadn't consciously thought of. 

Free writing has extended beyond my Nano novel. I've been writing short stories in cafes and on the train, with pen in hand or tapping at keys on my Mac. The interesting thing is that I haven't sat down to write for any great length of time yet I've managed to get words on the page. 

At a Queensland Writers Centre seminar I attended recently we chatted about the writing process. Some people are planners; doing their story outlines and research upfront and others take the opposite approach. I fall into the later. When it comes to creative writing I simply start with an idea and write. It could be a character, an interesting setting or an intriguing scenario. Eventually my story falls into place or hits a brick wall. There's either a story in it or not. But I'd much rather go on the journey and find out - write it out. As a writer, committing words to the page is all part of writing practise. Your words are never wasted because you're constantly learning - about language and story judgement.

More than free writing, connecting with the writing community in its many forms has helped me get back in the creative writing groove. It's provided camaraderie and support for what can sometimes be a solitary practise. There's certainly nothing solitary about the banter that flows on the AWM online writing race forum or the discussions that take place during the break at a QWC seminar. 

Brisbane Writers Festival 2010

I love Brisbane this time of year! The Brisbane Writers Festival is in town, Riverfire too and those first whisperings of spring...This year I was fortunate to be able to soak it all up.

My top 5 festival highlights:

1. Peter Goldsworthy speaking passionately on the short story form and how good stories 'wreck you, entertain or amuse.' He went on to say that he finds his stories in 'a line of dialogue', 'being told a story' and the hypothetical "what ifs?"
2. Agent Margaret Kennedy and publicist Emma Rusher providing inside information on the publishing industry in the Australian Writer's Marketplace (AWM) Industry Seminar.
3. John Birmingham led discussion on social media and how it is changing the landscape for writers.
4. Our Brisbane session in the way it highlighted the need not to be Brisbane-centric if as writers we are to appeal to a wider audience. This fed into my post last week about the changing face of Australian literature. A point also raised in the AWM Industry Seminar when publishers Madonna Duffy (UQP) and Suzanne Babonneau (Simon&Schuster UK) highlighted the difference in Australian V UK book sales. It seems that the future of Australian literature is a very hot topic at the moment, particularly with the introduction of the e-book.
5. And finally, coming home with new books to read that I perhaps wouldn't have picked up in a bookstore. This year - The Family Law (Benjamin Law) and Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam (Peter Goldsworthy). 

Writers festivals get people thinking about why we put words on the page. It's events like these that encapsulate the stories, people, human behaviour and interaction. In sessions I found myself jotting down ideas for stories. A word, a phrase. They also provide healthy industry debate on hot topics like the e-book, social media and the changing shape of Australian literature. Festivals stretch the mind to every corner of the globe enabling it to fill again.

What was your festival highlight?

This is where I wrote today...

Overlooking Moreton Bay on an outgoing tide...

Today the tide reminded me of the creative writing process. When the tide is in the bay is still and perfect (on a day like today). Much like the surface of a novel and the character's lives. When the tide goes out what's beneath the surface is exposed. Armies of blue-back soldier crabs, mangrove roots, rocks, cones shells, seaweed and popping mud - the ecosystem that sustains the beauty.

Today I peeled back the layers and got to the undercurrent of my story. To the things that are the hardest to write about, but those things that make the characters real. And it was muddy and unclear both for me and my characters but in these new surrounds I wrote three new scenes - the tricky ones.

Earlier in the week I'd lost my writing mojo in a haze of daily life and responsibilities. Now I feel inspired again. Rejuvenated by a fresh approach to getting words on the page.

Where at home my writing hours fly, in the sunshine and salt air, far removed from my laptop, time ambles.

In the words of Susan Bell (The Artful Edit) - 'a change of venue freshens the spirit.'

Thank you also to my inspiring yoga teacher; Amy (Inna Bliss Yoga) who set me up for a day of blissful focused intent.

Time management for writers

'Regularity is the key: it's better to write 100 words every day than have a blitz of writing once a month.'

GARY DISHER

 

Perhaps it's because I'm in analytical editing mode at the moment, but whatever the reason I've been getting serious about time management. Gone are the days when I'd sit idle and wait for inspiration to drag me to my desk to write. In fact, gone are the days of sitting idle full stop! These days life permeates every moment of my time and it's often a challenge to find time to write. I'm sure I'm not alone.

So, I've resorted to a previous method that's proved successful in the past. Keeping a writing log. I first started doing this when I undertook an 8 week on-line mentorship with author Sarah Armstrong. It was far more detailed back then. I recorded the time, place, word count and what I wrote. My aim was to determine when and where I wrote most effectively and whether I lived up to the 'realistic' writing routine Sarah had encouraged I set for myself. The results:

1. I achieved my weekly word target
2. I could write anywhere
3. And anytime!

The next time I adopted this method was during NaNoWriMo - a challenge that required me to write 50,000 in 30 days. Again my monitoring proved effective and kept me on track with 4am being my preferred writing time.

So what about this time? How are things shaping up? It's still early days but very quickly I've realised a few things:

1. I'm clocking up no-where near as many writing hours as I anticipated
2. On the upside - my writing time is more productive
3. When my alarms goes off at 4am - get up! However foe it feels, 4am has long been my writing companion.

My writing log is more than just a photocopied calendar page waiting to be filled. It's a reminder of my writing routine and a way of keeping myself on track. How else will I know when I can sleep in because I've reached my writing target?!

Has anyone else tried this approach?

(Quote source: Writing Fiction: An Introduction to the Craft by Gary Disher).

New writing opportunities

This week I've been inspired to pursue new creative writing opportunities! Thanks in part to...

1. The latest issue of WQ - particularly the profile on author/illustrator Katherine Battersby
2. A fantastic blogging workshop I attended, by award winning blogger Erica Bartle (a.k.a Girl With a Satchel)  
3. A visit to Brisbane's new digital-culture centre; The Edge - a hub that welcomes the creation of new possibilities.  

And what better way to welcome new opportunities than...

to get rid of the old!

 

The big archive box at the back is filled with old drafts of my first novel and a whole pile of other writing that didn't make the cut. That thin folder at the front...that's the cut. That's what's left of my writing that I think has potential.

So what made the cut? Of the four short stories I wrote for my short story challenge, I'm pursuing one. I also unearthed a few pieces of parenting creative non-fiction, including a piece on silent reflux. Aside from the medical side of reflux that My Child Magazine (Issue 16: Autumn 2010) covered 'silent reflux' is often the story never told. Yet, it was the one thing I wish I'd had access to. I've often been asked to write about my experience and only now feel I have the distance to do it.

Along with editing my Nano novel, my writing routine now includes time dedicated to developing these pieces. Although hectic, I'm excited to be expanding my creative world and discovering new possibilities. 

The act of writing

I've committed the cardinal sin of a writer. The one thing that makes a writer successful. The act of writing itself. The hard work.

While I've been off soaking up inspiration, my first draft has been sitting on my desk untouched. The pages are starting to curl and a thin layer of dust is forming on the first page.

So what's stopping me attacking each red correction and wading through my piles of research notes?

I still have a few field trips to go on but mostly I think I'm afraid. Afraid to mess with my first draft too early. Afraid I'll delete something I shouldn't or loose the truth and rawness of a first draft.

I've done it before. Over-edited my first novel to the point where I'm not even sure it's salvageable. But that's the evolution of a writer isn't it - to learn from each mistake and make the next story better.

Now, after a walk along the bay I have renewed focus. To silence the 'noise' in my head and concentrate only on the manuscript in front of me. My faithful mantra - 'just one step at a time, one foot in front of the other...' ebbing me along.

Writing routine

Life has been getting in the way of my writing lately. Squeezing itself into the places I usually reserve for the solitude of penning words. And so it is that I find myself awake at 4am - writing, while darkness still holds the day at bay.

But there can always be an excuse not to write. Whether it's a legitimate reason or something we cling to when our writing is slow or uninspiring.

For a time it was work, then uni, followed by the wonder of travel and more recently - the exhaustion of raising two little acorns. And let's not forget the countless other reasons I've found to distract myself.

But amidst the chaos of an ever-changing life I've always found time to write. Whether it's sitting in a cafe before work, writing while my acorns sleep or now at 4am; there are always little pockets of time that can be found. They may not be big but they're enough to keep the fire burning.

Yet life is the stuff that inspires our writing. Without experiences, interactions and inspiration, how can we create stories? And without the aching pull that draws us to our desks, laptops or places we write, how would we get the words on the page?

NaNoWriMo 2009 winner!

The sky may be ominously grey this morning but inside me there are colourful fireworks doing a celebratory dance as I post news that I've completed NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and won! Of course I along with thousands of other writers will win. That's the point of NaNo. 170,000 writers embarking on the same journey - to write 50,000 words in November.

Is it possible to write a 50,000 word novel in a month? The answer - absolutely! A very rough, very raw first draft, littered with cliches, typos and repetitive use of words. But that's what a first draft is all about. It's the bones that you'll later stretch and mould and rearrange to make something unique.

NaNo has given me insight into what it takes to write a novel. I appreciate how much further along I am with my first novel. How less skeleton-like it is.

How did I make it to the end? The 4am starts, more coffee than I care to count and a victory celebrated at an on-line writing race on Tuesday night (held by the The Australian Writer's Marketplace). I'd been procrastinating over the last 900 words can you believe it. The ending proving more difficult and messy than I thought. But finally I chose a path that seemed to fit (for now) and dug deep on the home stretch with the support and encouragement of fellow writers.

That was the key. Comradeship. Everyone knows that writing is a lonely profession and what a writer craves most is recognition for the hours they spend at their desk each day. The Office of Letters and Light has embraced that need and created a place for writers to come together and share in each others victories and struggles. To help each other along the road to reaching 50,000 words. 

What now? Firstly I'm taking a few days break to reconnect with my world. Sunshine, fresh air and time with my two little acorns. And then - back to the 4am starts and onto my next project. Because in all of this I've discovered my writing mojo. A writing routine that suits where my life is at. I now sign off to watch the fireworks finale and go off to support fellow NaNo writers still on the journey... And what was that I read about Script Frenzy in April...

The middle story

Ah the joys of reaching and extending past the halfway mark...The finish line is now in sight. It's a little hazy but the sunlight it just stretching through the trees and I don't feel as lost as I did earlier this week when I entered the middle story.

The middle story is the tricky part. You're in the thick of it. You know your characters, the action is unfolding and you have to make things happen. Characters have to face obstacles, interact with eachother and step outside their comfort zones to make the story interesting. The characters have to move and grow and it's your job to make them do that.

For me, NaNo has drawn on everything I've ever learnt about writing. All the courses I've studied, the books I've read and my life experiences. It's like preparing for a race. You've done all the training, you know what you have to do, but it's not until you're out there, on the track, that it all comes together.  

A few things that have surprised me about NaNo are:

1. The body's ability to adjust to 4am wake ups
2. The level of chapter planning required to get through the middle story (all 1,000 words of it)
3. The realisation that life exists outside of NaNo!

So I continue on my race, 37,504 words behind me, reaching for finish line...I can feel it, almost touch it.

NaNo revelations

When you put yourself through something like NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) you hope that you'll get something out of it. Of course the big carrot is a 50,000 word novel but there's also this other urge to learn something that will help you write better and in my case, more efficiently.

My revelation this week was that it helps to know what your story's about. I know that sounds strange. Of course a writer should know what they're writing about. But it's not always the case. Sometimes we write with an idea about the type of story we want to write, an interesting character, a theme or an event in mind. It's an amazing journey watching a story unfold; having no idea where it's taking you.

But having a direction, knowing exactly what my story's about this time and being able to define it in a single sentence has made it easier. The story is the thread holding it all together and it proves less flimsy than an abstract idea or concept. I don't feel like I'm walking in the dark so much and it's easier to know when things get off track or don't fit. Like this morning when my laptop knew that I was writing crap so it just shut down, taking 30 minutes of my writing with it! And in NaNo 30 minutes is a lot.

The other benefit of NaNo is momentum. Your recollection of what's happened and where you're heading is clearer. There are no week long breaks, no time to let the inner critic stay for more than a few minutes and no time to waste. You just sit down and write. The simple act of placing one word after another 50,000 times over.

As week two ends I'm edging closer to the half way point - 24,859 words (not including the ones I lost in cyber space...) Next week's target - 35,000.

The 4am experiment

  

 

As you know, I entered National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) on a whim; two days before it kicked off in fact. I had an idea for a story, a vague plot, a few characters and some launch points to get me started. The only thing missing was time, which is how the 4am experiment came to be. I figured something had to give and in my case, it would be sleep!

So, how did my first week go? Well, I confess I skipped the 4am start this morning...It seems five in a row is my limit. My eyes were burning and by 3pm I'd sooner make like a cat and curl up anywhere and sleep! I also confess that I was a little more optimistic about the 4am start at the beginning of the week, wondering why I hadn't embraced it sooner. The whole 'cat' feeling soon put things in perspective.

But all's not lost, I've written 11,442 words so far and I'm on track to reach the 50,000 word target by the end of November.

The other joy of the 4am start is that no-one bothers you in those quiet hours. Not even the sun has peeled away from the horizon. It's just you, the light of your computer screen and the tapping of keys as your story unfolds. Helped along of course by a gigantic mug of coffee...

Stay tuned to see whether the 4am experiment pays off and I reach the magical halfway point...

NaNoWriMo

Am I completely insane? I've just registered for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and I'm petrified! How can I possibly write 50,000 words in one month - November? I've done the figures. Based on my snail pace of 750 words an hour it will take me 66 hours and 40 minutes to reach the target.

I contemplated being gentler on myself. My version of NaNoWriMo. Continuing with my novel (now close to 40,000 words) and aiming to reach 50,000 by the end of November. The thought of that sends waves of calm over my body. I know it's achievable. It feels safe and neatly packaged; like a tiny gift under the tree at Christmas time.

By contrast, the thought of NaNoWriMo makes my heart race and my brain search the seemingly unachievable possibility of finding 66.66 hours to make this happen. It seems crazy, but exhilarating at the same time. And I remember this time last year a little email popped into my inbox...

An on-line writer mentoring opportunity with authors Sarah Armstrong and Alan Close. I remember I was 32 weeks pregnant with bub #2 at the time. It was an 8 week course. Those same feelings came over me. Clammy hands, racing heart and deep in my gut little fireworks of exhilaration. And knowing it was crazy and that pregnancies never go to plan I took a deep breath and did it anyway. Free falling...And it was one of the best things I've ever done for my writing.

So here I am again standing atop the tower ready to take another plunge. If you're keen to do the same check out NaNoWriMo and sign up. Otherwise you can follow my NaNoWriMo journey here.

Free writing

When I first started writing creatively I didn't have a name for it - that process of writing without thinking and the world around you disappearing.

Then years later I stumbled across Natalie Goldberg's Thunder and Lightning; Cracking Open The Writer's Craft, my first book on writing. Here Goldberg explained the process I was experiencing and showed how to direct that energy; your 'wild mind'.

'I try to shake loose my mind, so something fresh can fall out' says Goldberg.

In more recent years authors and writers have adopted the term 'free writing'. At workshops I've learnt to feed my 'wild mind' a line, a phrase, an idea or an image and then write instinctively without thinking about spelling, grammar or punctuation. Now it's the only way I write a draft.

This week I've been free writing bits that are missing from my story - settings, events and story threads; testing the water to see if they work. Some do, some don't. 

In the words of Goldberg: 'The seemingly disconnected topics help to energise the piece.'

I love the freedom of un-tamed words. I feel like I'm ten again, taking off on my bike on Saturday morning armed with a squashed vegemite sandwich in my pack, my best friend at my side and a mind full of hope and wonder.

Getting words on the page

It's nothing new that writers often struggle to get words on the page (or on the screen in my case). It's part of the process. We're all seeking that elusive tip; the one secret that will help us to write.

Sure, writing courses and exercises, research and life experience can all help make us better writers but essentially it's words on the page that counts. That's how stories are made.

While it's good to know how other writers do it, we're all different. What works for one writer may not work for you. And what works now, may not work in the future. That's part of the process too - finding new ways to get words on the page.

Here are some tips I've learnt that work for me...

• Set a time limit

1-2 hours is short enough to maintain focus and long enough to get into writing. I know that I can comfortably write 750 words in an hour, providing motivation and a word count goal.

• Write when you don't feel like it

(Tip from on-line mentoring with Sarah Armstrong and Alan Close). This was a tricky one at first. When it comes to creative writing I've always been an 'I only write when I'm inspired' kinda girl. But six years on I'm still writing the same story! And I don't quite have the idle time I used to. Instead, I have to embrace writing moments when they come and they may not be when I feel like writing.

• Accountability

Nothing makes me write more than the fear of failure and it seems to be working.

 

How do you get words on the page?