Best of luck to everyone participating in National Novel Writing Month! I'm sitting out this year. I still have to finish editing Fifth Season and upload the final draft to the various distributors and complete the rough draft of Summon the Seasons. Once those tasks are done, I have to plan some publicity for Fifth Season's release, return to (and hopefully finish) some short stories, and pre-plan my next series (urban fantasy, tentatively a trilogy at this point). Add on work, family, and three Star Wars troop this month, and I already have plenty on my plate without adding on NaNoWriMo.Anyway, it's time for another post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. The co-hosts for this month are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jen Chandler, Mary Aalgaar, Lisa Buie Collard, Tamara Narayan, Tyrean Martinson, and Christine Rains. This month, we've been asked to answer the following question: What is your favorite aspect of being a writer?
Rather than sticking with just one, I thought I'd see how many I can come up with. Here's my list:
1. Flow--It may sound odd, but some of my earliest experiences of "flow" (a state of mind in which you're fully immersed in your task) during writing came during history essay exams in high school. However, flow occurs when a high skill level meets a high challenge, so I guess those tests were challenging! Flow is a very rewarding and fulfilling state of mind, though it seems harder to reach these days with constant environmental and social distractions.
2. When plotting works out--When inspiration strikes and I can suddenly see how to connect two different ideas into a single story or when something spontaneously I wrote earlier connects with another part of the plot, it's quite satisifying.
3. Reaching "The End" of a rough draft--Even if I know the story still needs a lot of work, I still feel like I accomplished something.
4. Seeing the Cover/Getting the Proof--These are always exciting moments that bring a story closer to publication.
5. Hearing from Readers--Writing is a form of communication. One of the main reasons I write is to connect with somebody else out there who truly "gets" what I'm trying to say. If a story moves you, let the author know!
What do you like most about writing or being a writer? Feel free to share in the comments below.
I like reaching the end as it signifies the first draft is over! And then I can enjoy.
ReplyDeleteNo way I can do NaNo either. Besides, the amount of submissions that poured in for the IWSG Anthology Contest the past three days was frightening! So much to read...
Those are all good reasons.
ReplyDeleteGood luck making your final decisions for the anthology, Alex!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat!
I love seeing the cover, whether it's my book or one of my authors. The story comes alive then.
ReplyDeleteGreat reasons to love writing. Flow (or being "in the zone") is so great. Too bad it doesn't come often enough. :)
ReplyDeleteI admit, the list works for me too. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
My favorite part is when it's out in the world, to sink or swim.
ReplyDeleteI especially love the hearing from readers. That's the icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteFlow is the best feeling in the world, well, one of the best. I think that's what I liked best about doing NaNoWriMo, writing that much every day does get the flow moving fast, such a great feeling. I agree with all your list. These are the points that make writing feel so good...
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