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on being prolific
I go through periods where I write poetry constantly, then usually run into a fallow period, which is always frustrating. I am working, painstakingly, on some new poetry now! When I'm really motivated, I just sit down, usually early morning, and force myself to write something, anything, even if it's lousy. More often than not, I end up being pleased with the result. Over the past five years I have probably written about 200 poems, and those I have posted thus far come from that batch. I usually put about 40 poems to paper at a time over a period of about a month, and put them into a book. The past 5 "books" have been Coming of Autumn, Serenade of Twilight, Strange Sad Real Estate, Barring Something Unforeseen, A Million Ways To Say It, and How Much Is That Soul. So for me being prolific is thinking about what's happening in my life at any one time, not being TOO much of a perfectionist, (though I have to work on that a lot), putting aside the time and discipline to make myself write, and hoping that the Muse cooperates.
Admittedly, this is just MY way, and there are, as Hugh Prather once said, "as many different ways as there are people." And by the way, Betsy, your poems are outstanding, regardless of the quantity! I loved the one about the midwife!
posted by
brua
on February 13, 2009 at 11:36 AM
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Re: BetsyLewis
Thanks, Talion. I'm getting the idea that many writers have a lot of irons in the fire, or should I say, pens in the inkwell?
posted by
BetsyLewis
on February 12, 2009 at 6:19 PM
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BetsyLewis
With a journal blog, I'm primarily writing about my life and something happens every day. On the occasions when daily events aren't worth a post, I have years of memories and past experiences to fall back on. At any given time, I have three or more posts in various stages of completion. As long as the order doesn't matter, whichever one strikes my fancy gets finished and posted first.
posted by
Talion_
on February 12, 2009 at 5:49 PM
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Re: Your post re writing got me thinking.
Ain't it grand?
posted by
BetsyLewis
on February 12, 2009 at 5:28 PM
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Your post re writing got me thinking.
Then I read your comment section + got off on a tangent. That's one great aspect of this site. You get ideas from reading around. In answer to your question re ideas-- wish I knew!
posted by
scotcanada
on February 12, 2009 at 3:58 PM
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Re: Reading is Key Betsy
Beautifully said and about as accurate as it gets.
But I've gotta tell ya, this is how I feel some nights! LOL
posted by
BetsyLewis
on February 12, 2009 at 1:14 PM
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Re:
Thanks for your comments, Nita, and for your visit. I hope you stop back.
posted by
BetsyLewis
on February 12, 2009 at 1:13 PM
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Reading is Key Betsy
Think of your writing talent and skill being separate and apart. If you are talented, you will always be able to commit comething to writing. If you are skilled youwill always be able to revise your work wisely. However, like a battery, these can wear down if not stoked daily by reading. The more you read, the more energized you will be to write.
Edward C. Patterson
posted by
MedicineFlower
on February 12, 2009 at 5:57 AM
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It would take me a month to write a poem!! I don't know how Sam does it, isn't she great! I find articles easier...and as some of your readers suggested, I think setting aside a certain amount of time everyday for reading and writing is the only way! This is my first visit, and I've enjoyed your posts. Thanks for commenting on my post. God bless. Nita.
posted by
Nita09
on February 12, 2009 at 3:51 AM
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Wow, sam - you are really good. I know that I'm getting my groove back because I sit at work and think about how much I wish I could be back home writing. When I have blocks of solid time, that is when it is best for me and then I can be fairly prolific. It's just blocks of time don't seem to fall in my days too often right now.
posted by
BetsyLewis
on February 12, 2009 at 3:24 AM
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I write and rewrite and rewrite! I also have at least five poems going on at one time! sam
posted by
sam444
on February 12, 2009 at 3:22 AM
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Re:
Yes - tweak, tweak, tweak. Thank you for reading and responding.
posted by
BetsyLewis
on February 12, 2009 at 3:11 AM
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Re:
Rambling is good and your show of committment is also good. It is a thread in the responses I'm seeing. I've been trying hard at this. I felt last night I had nothing and then I forced myself to do something and it was 10:30 when I was done writing and responding but I did it! I was determined to not let a night go by without doing SOMETHING. Thank you!
posted by
BetsyLewis
on February 12, 2009 at 3:11 AM
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Re:
I agree. Writing is the quick part of the equation. But sometimes I think the research is the most fun. Thanks for sharing.
posted by
BetsyLewis
on February 12, 2009 at 3:09 AM
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Re: Keep to a Set Schedule
Excellent advice. I plan to download your book. I'm trying for 4 hours a day now and a lot on weekends. Blogit has actually encouraged me to dust some things off and revisit them. I read every day but that's also hard to fit in lately. I ALWAYS read before turning off the light, though. I am not able to do any work at work. I wish...Thank you again.
posted by
BetsyLewis
on February 12, 2009 at 3:08 AM
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am not much of a poet. my writing, is very literally, what I feel. feelings stirred into words... yetI agree about tweaking words till finally, with a sigh, you are there :)
posted by
shilpaharish
on February 12, 2009 at 2:58 AM
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I don't know what works for some.....but what seems to work for me is to take an hour or half hour out each day...(I know this can be hard, I am a single mom, with 1 daughter 4 horses, 3 dogs and an African Grey Parrot) but I sit and write(I find it hard to do so infront of a computer so I find a sofa, chair, or something away from the chaos and take pen to paper. If I can't think of anything in my head to write about, I start searching the internet for pictures to write about so that I can print and write. That way I have penned something to paper and then can revise how I think it should be in the end. I don't write poems all the time. Stories, short and long are always popping into my head, I start enjoying the characters that I create so much that I forget to end the story..So I guess basically setting aside about 30 minutes or so to just write...anything will do, and see where it leads. Sorry about the rambling..
posted by
Wigopa_
on February 11, 2009 at 11:03 PM
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Research first, then write....unless you are versed in your field!
posted by
Soul_Builder101
on February 11, 2009 at 9:33 PM
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Keep to a Set Schedule
Betsy, when I write I keep to a set schedule. I have a full time day job, so when I get home I set 4 hours aside and crunch down on the current work. I generally have a new work, a work in revision and a work being finalized for publication. Some of the proofing work I do on the Kindle during lunch or in the evenings before I go to bed. I am fortunate to have a day job with a computer and work that llows me to occasional engaging in promotion. I spend about an hour during the day promoting - and at least 3 hours a week seeking out review sites, updating Suthor's Den, attending to my website. lso, if you wrtie 4 hours a day, you MUST read four hours a day. It should never be work. When it is work, it shows in the writing. Sometimes you need to push yourself, but there are dozens of tricks to jump start. I cover them in my book "Are You Still Submitting Your Work to a Traditional Publisher?" half of the book devoted to Indie Publishing and promoting, and the other half chocked filled with writing tips and reision clues. It's available on the Kindle for $ .99. You just need to remember, writing is a a duality. You may e alone writing it, but it doesn't live until ou have that other partner - the reader. o as you write, you must tap your imagination and keep the reader directly before you. You write for one person at a time, and for all times. Writing is breathing. readers are golden. Reiews are platinum, and immortality requires an investment.
Edward C. Patterson
http://www.dancaster.com/
posted by
MedicineFlower
on February 11, 2009 at 8:17 PM
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