HOW DID THEY WRITE

Recently, I was reading about some quirks of writing habits among famous writers. I wondered if I had some--not the same--but ones original only to me. Do I write better in certain places? At certain time of day or night? Do I only write on the computer, or with pen and pad first? Is there a certain color of ink I use to write, or sign my name?

I write most anywhere. If I am meeting a deadline or doing final edits, I am only comfortable in my office at the main computer or on my laptop. If I'm writing off the top of my head, or creating a first draft of a story, I take my Acer mini to Jack's Pond, Discovery Lake, or Starbucks. Or out on the patio.

Once upon a time, I could write into the wee hours of the night. Now, I am into writing in the morning or early afternoon when I feel fresher. If I'm on deadline or editing a story or piece, I can work at night but the creative side of my brain, my imagination, is not as active late in the day as it used to be.

I often don't begin writing on any electronic device. I use a yellow-lined pad and a pen. If writing a story, I begin writing and continue until my first spurt of inspiration is run through. Then I will go to the computer, input it, print off the last page for my next beginning point. When writing an article or essay, I complete the first draft before going to the computer. I believe that by putting my work on the computer at this point, I am editing/rewriting the first draft.

And I do have this one quirk regarding ink. For example, when writing in my journal, I swtich colors of ink with each days entry. I think it gives my journal a more colorul, insightful look to my work. And when I autograph my books at a book signing or to send off through the mail, I create my message and sign my name in purple ink. Maybe it is something to do with the poem --when I grow old, I will wear purple.

Here are a few habits of the famous: John Nichols (The Milagro Bean Fields) writes in the tub beginning at 4 a.m. He writes by longhand on the back olf junk mail.

Tennessee Williams wrote "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" on his favorite writing material--an assortment of hotel stationery.

Robert Pirsig (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance) wrote his book on index cards.

Count Leo Tolstoy and William Burroughs both used scissors and paste to "rearrange" the drafts of stories.

Toni Morrison writes on yellow legal pads with "a nice number two pencil."

John updike wrote with pen or pencil, no computer for him.

Ernest Hemingway wrote standng up.

What are your habits, or quirks?

BLESSINGS

Most of my readers probably think I have once again fallen off the dark side of the moon. Sometimes during the past month I wish I could. I am still editing my last few stories; will have them done by Thursday when I meet with my critique group (we are a trio at the moment). They are working on the last story of my book and I hope to take the suggestions I agree with, do the final rewrites, and send this book off to the publisher no later than the end of next week. It is about time I let my baby go.

We had a lovely trip to Florida, attended my granddaughter's wedding, and had a lovely visit with our three great-grandson's and the rest of the family. We all wish we lived closer so we could enjoy these framily times more often. As I said, it was wonderful being there but also nice to come home to our "rut" as we describe our fairly predictable life.

We have been expecting that our brother-in-law would any day reach the beginning of the end of his battle with leukemia. He spent four days of last week in the hospital with pneumonia and his doctors sent him home with hospice. We spent the day Sunday with he and his family; it is especially hard for my husband to accept letting him go as they have known each other for over seventy years. It is hard to let go of pieces of our life, too.

Because my writing life has been so tied up with the completion of this book and the editing, I find a need to break away now and then. I picked up one of those dozens of journals I have told you about, began to read through my notes, quotes, ideas--I am actually surprised that I collected such neat stuff. All sorts of new ideas kept popping into my head. I want to rush through the completion of this book and get involved with new things. Isn't it ironic that we fall in love with our words, want readers to grab our book off a shelf, fear letting it go--but still find ourselves looking forward to the next project? I think this is probably a good thing, a productive gesture, a nod to us and our love to continue to create words others will enjoy.

One of the things I ran across was a prayer I'd like to share with you all:

"May the sun bgring you new energy bg day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow news strength into your being.

May you walk gently through the word and know its beauty all the days of your life."
(Apache Blessing)

I wish this for you, my friends.

VACATIONS CAN PROMOTE IDEAS

It has been too long since I blogged but I have an excuse. I have been working long hours editing, rewriting, and proofing a manuscript for my next book, Pink Poodle Pie (and Other Tales of Women Getting Even). It will be out sometime in the early fall. Of course, I will remind all of you when the release date is decided.

I took two weeks off (yes, my editor knows where I am and what I'm doing-lol), to fly to Florida for our youngest granddaughter's wedding on July 4. Shannon Hall married Richard Hughes on our most patriotic day. Grandma helped decorate, shop, plan some last minutes fun things, and was so proud of the lovely bride (and her choice of husband). Very proud of the job my daughter and son-in-law have done in bringing up three wonderful adults also. It has been a super time with my three great-grandsons too.

And I have gleaned some ideas from the whole process. Weddings and parties and all those characters that show up offer great material. The lush green of Florida, the aligator-clogged ponds, the hardworking, beer-drinking, pickup-truck driving, Crackers or Rebels, or Rednecks of FLorida, and the Cuban influence all make fodder for future stories.

As I have said before, never forget that little notebook when you venture from home. I have been scribbling notes in between events, while sitting on the patio (covered, of course), while listening to the squeals of my great-grandsons in the pool, or feeding ducks in the pond in back of the yard. I may not use the notes any time soon but I have them down.

Happy Writing. See you soon.

EDITING ANGST

I know all writers go through this but it doesn't make the editing process any easier. I have a book accepted by iUniverse and am doing rewrites/edits/additions on it. Let me tell you, an initial evaluation showed me how much I don't catch when writing and proofreading. It has been an anxious time but such a great learning experience. Still, when I first received the evaluation, I felt like a comment my husband once made when taking art classes: "Those who can't paint, teach." I'm--"those who can't write, teach."

I do feel better now. My reps along the few steps of publishing I've been through have been marvelous and so helpful. And understanding. I panicked with the evaluation, drug my feet about continuing, wasn't sure I could do all they felt I should to make this book saleable. With their kind assistance, answering of questions, and assurances, I am able to go on from here. Except...

These rewrites and edits are tough. I am on the third go-round. I know the stories are stronger now. I have created another story which I feel is one of the best things I've written in a long time. I've added scenes to old stories to strengthen them. In doing so, I hope I have addressed the main thing the evaluator found wrong--my short stories are more character driven than plot driven.

I had a problem with this. I think my voice works. "The Quilt Maker" was primarily character-driven stories and they worked for readers. iUniverse wants me to rewrite them all so I will have a greater audience. I'm not so sure this is what I am seeking. I have a pretty good reader base already, this collection was for them really, and I fear something will be lost if I rewrite them all. So--I made an attempt to do what the evaluators think is best--but left many of the stories the same, the ones in which I think readers will hear my voice when reading.

I'm working on my last edits. I would hope to get this done before I leave for Shannon's (my youngest granddaughter) wedding in Florida. But I won't submit it until I return. I need to be available in order to continue with the steps to printng. That has been okayed by my representatives.

So remember--getting ready for publishing is hard work. You have to do all you can to reach your goal of putting that book into reader's hands. But it's the best thing you can do for your work--you will never write the same, or edit the same way after this experience.

You will be a better writer, I promise.