tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308411624957756191.post4503260575388031040..comments2023-11-10T11:39:34.796-08:00Comments on The Lit Coach's Guide to The Writer's Life: Q&A with The Lit CoachErin Reelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11921833820370781350noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308411624957756191.post-28497917272900834792010-10-29T07:17:13.294-07:002010-10-29T07:17:13.294-07:00Thanks, Valerie! Yes, focus is totally important ...Thanks, Valerie! Yes, focus is totally important in a writer's life. This is something I myself have worked on for YEARS!Erin Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11921833820370781350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308411624957756191.post-91855771059175373692010-10-27T19:51:27.284-07:002010-10-27T19:51:27.284-07:00Erin,
If I didn't have you to keep me on trac...Erin,<br /><br />If I didn't have you to keep me on track, I would be like the crafter that quilts and scrapbooks, all while finishing a macrame hanging table. Sweet Jesus...I could write about a million things! Thank you for focus and direction. I know when my writing 'project' is done I'll be able to stand back and feel the satisfaction of one job completed with excellence. This Q & A was inspiring!Valerie Bosselmanhttp://www.valeriebosselman.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308411624957756191.post-507864187470195142010-10-25T05:15:49.629-07:002010-10-25T05:15:49.629-07:00I feel I need to preface this response in letting ...I feel I need to preface this response in letting you know Q&A with The Lit Coach is a once monthly posting where writers are invited to offer one question to be answered. If a writer feels they have more questions they need answered or help with their approach or sorting out their writer's life, they should contact me for more in-depth, one-on-one coaching where I can dig into what the whole creative and life situation is so I can best address their issues specifically. <br /><br />I'll choose the most important question to answer, as I feel your question has more to do with craft than anything else. <br /><br />For nonfiction, you need to have the experience, platform and possibly the advanced degrees to publish successfully. <br /><br />For fiction, focus on your writing. I can't tell you what to write, that needs to come from you. And yes, some fiction takes years to write, but you need to be in this for the love of writing not for the payoff or to finally see your name in print. If you're just starting to write fiction, the best thing you can do to find out what interests you is to just write! Write what comes to you. Explore. Let inspiration flow to you and be open to it. Once you've got a great idea, outline it. Plot it out. Don't worry about time and the need to publish now. Let your writing develop.<br /><br />If you can find a creative writing workshop that focuses on fiction, sign up. If that's not an option, start reading some "how to write fiction" books out there. I suggest you read Oakley Hall and Tom Spanbauer.<br /><br />This is a profession where only the most patient and persistent (and talented) writers survive. I've got another story coming up from a NYT bestselling author who took 10 years to write her novel. It happens.<br /><br />Wishing you success in finding your path.Erin Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11921833820370781350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308411624957756191.post-26919627879097819962010-10-24T19:09:50.144-07:002010-10-24T19:09:50.144-07:00Excellent post. Re question & answer #1: Do yo...Excellent post. Re question & answer #1: Do you have specific methods of organization. I think my heart lies in creative writing (versus freelancing). I entertain freelance because I feel it would be more productive and get me somewhere sooner (for example, I might spend years sitting and writing stories that do not lead to novels, or are just "practice"). When I visit the bookstore, there are certain genres that draw me in (literary and YA to be clear). But I also linger in the nonficiton aisles of well-being and health. I know what I do not like (mystery and romance) more than what I do like.<br />What do you consider "book club" fiction?<br />Anyway, lets say, okay I get a feel for some things I might like to explore. Do I have some method to it? Or just sit and write pages that might end up in the garbage can?<br />I already read novels as much as I can. I skim writers websites (but truthfully looking at those things overwhelm me more than help, they almost squash any focus or drive I have). Is it a matter of sitting and writing? Or should there be a "to-do" list. An organized approach when one sits to the desk that day?<br />Also, any tips on how to schedule a day. I do freelance for money (3-4 hours per day), then I want to set aside time for creative writing, a walk, errands, a quick blog post. Thoughts on a daily schedule that you see working for people? I noticed Writer's Digest site had a brief one put up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com