The Life of a Writer

Well Cait tagged me to participate in this Writer’s Life Post, so I figured I would give it go. On with the questions!

WRITE FUEL: WHAT DO YOU EAT/DRINK WHILE WRITING?

Tea, lots of tea, it’s becoming a problem and now I’ve had to switch to chamomile tea for during the day and just before bed. High Tea (tea and scones with raspberry jam and cream) is my ultimate weakness.

WRITE SOUNDS: WHAT DO YOU LISTEN TO WHILE WRITING?

I have an mp3 play-list with a whole range of weird, wonderful and slightly embarrassing music ranging from songs from Disney movies to Daft Punk (though I must confess I listen to a lot of Alternative Rock, aka “Angry White Boy” music). However, I have discovered while my music helps me focus on work tasks (researching topics and what not) it’s a distraction when it comes to my creative writing

WRITE VICE: WHAT’S YOUR MOST DEBILITATING DISTRACTION?

The Internet, especially YouTube, once I’m caught in a Tab Trail or music video playlist, it’s very difficult to get out of it. It also doesn’t help that I’m a chronic procrastinator

WRITE HORROR: WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT’S EVER HAPPENED TO YOU WHILE WRITING?

I have been working on a creative writing project and then had the power in my house go out (it’s common in the area I live, once or twice a week). Most times the Microsoft Auto Recovery saves the day but there have been times where I have had to start over from scratch. The worst incident I can remember is when I was doing NaNoWriMo one year and I was using a writing program that was supposed to count my words for me, it turns out the counter for the program and Microsoft Word were different and it turned out I was short almost 3000 words. Luckily I had three days to fix it, but make no mistake, it was three intense days of mad panic.

WRITE JOY: WHAT’S THE BEST THING THAT’S EVER HAPPENED WHILE WRITING OR HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE SMALL VICTORIES?

One the best things about my writing career was when I finished my Certificate IV and Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing, there was a lot of admin drama about graduating and when I finally got it home, I feel it was all a little anti-climatic. However, it was a little later when I got used to being able to hold it in my hands whenever I wanted that I began to feel happy and proud about it. Another great thing was when my local bookstore first gave a few books to read and review for free, it was an exciting feeling knowing they trusted me to review their books and associate their store with my words.

WRITE CREW: WHO DO YOU COMMUNICATE WITH OR NOT COMMUNICATE WITH WHILE WRITING?

I have an awesome writing friend K. A. Cook, whom I met through Victoria University while doing my Professional Writing and Editing studies. Kim is an amazing person and writer, they inspire me not only to be a better writer, but a better person (or at least I hope so). I know I have a long way to go. I also talk to my sister about my latest Work In Progress project and she constantly asks and reminds me “when are you ever going to finish -insert name of project here-?”.

WRITE SECRET: WHAT’S YOUR WRITING SECRET TO SUCCESS OR HIDDEN FLAW?

I have no secrets to success thus far and my flaws are very obvious. My most prominent flaw would be my tendency to procrastinate, but I also have a strong sense of self-sabotage and self-depreciation, combine with low self-esteem and anxiety and stir! However, I have found that once I get started and I remain ahead of my word count usually I’m good, it’s when I fall behind on my word count that I start to panic and freeze up. I also have noticed that I try to trudge my way through things instead of just skipping ahead. I’m trying to fix these problems.

WRITE-SPIRATION: WHAT ALWAYS MAKES YOU PRODUCTIVE?

A deadline and last-minute panic

WRITE PEEVE: WHAT’S ONE THING WRITERS DO (OR YOU DO) THAT’S ANNOYING?

Very few writers have the knowledge of how to give constructive feedback with regards to work-shopping, I don’t want to be told my story is “good” or “nice”, I want to be told it’s shit and what areas I need to improve. Also Writers who are precious about their work, no first draft is perfect and every first draft (no matter who the author is) needs editing, there is always room for improvement. I also hate Love Triangles, as far as I’m concerned their a lazy source of dram and I don’t tolerate lazy writing. As for myself, I hate how I never finish anything I start, however I am trying to improve on that front.

WRITE WORDS: SHARE ONE SENTENCE FROM A PROJECT, PAST OR PRESENT.

“How do I look Edward? Do you like my eye-shadow?” asked Axel, adding the final touches of his usual morning make-up. He knew he looked fierce, however it never hurt to get a confirmation.
“The world is going to end and you want me to evaluate your eye-shadow?” asked Edward, raising both eyebrows at him.
“If it is indeed the end of the world as we know it, then eye-shadow is now more important than ever.” said Axel, trying not to smile, he was going to enjoy the next six months. Axel stood and turned away from his pine-wood vanity unit. He pinched Edward’s cheek lightly, “Oh, cheer up cup-cake, it surely can’t be that bad.”
“No, you’re right, it’s probably worse,” said Edward.