How often do you write?
I typically write all day every day, but sometimes must take time off to edit, promote, and make and mail out swag. What about taking time out for life? Yeah, well, it helps that I don't have one.
Do you think it’s important to your craft to write as much as you can, and as often as you can?
I used to take music lessons and my teacher said something like this: "Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect." I think that applies to writing, too. You can write like the Dickens, but you'd also better be honing your craft, learning new things, strengthening your weaknesses, and incorporating new insights into your writing. Obviously, you have to write with a vengeance, but you also need to grow and improve and you can't do that in a self-contained writing vacuum.
What is your opinion on the saying “if you don’t write every day, you’re not a writer"?
I think it's total ballocks. If you write, you're a writer. Not an author, perhaps, but certainly a writer. Sometimes, it's not possible to write everyday and I think the whole disciplined daily word count goals and such are great for people who need that kind of motivation. I typically don't. I get up in the morning and write until I can't see straight. I get up to go to the bathroom, deal with problems, and make myself a sandwich, which I eat at my desk. I'm a very driven, self-motivated person. If anything, I need a way to balance my writing with other things, not write more. As Anne Rice once said, "I write obsessively."
The next stop on our little tour is the blog of the fabulous Susan Peterson Wisnewski. Take it away, Susan!
I had that same piano teacher. Except it was a guitar. Great post, Nina!
ReplyDeleteActually, it was a viola teacher. Wish I'd had a piano teacher. Always wanted to learn to play.
DeleteI love educating myself on writing, classes and books on craft. I'm such a nerd! I'm hoping it all helps in the end. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds a lot like my day.
ReplyDeleteI love the line "Perfect practice makes perfect." My daughter's figure skating coach says the same thing. You can practice an axel a hundred times and still do it wrong. Practice it less, but with full concentration and you'll improve. I agree the theory applies to writing as well.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. Practice and perfecting are the way to go!!! Great answers!!!
ReplyDeleteSelf motivation is key. I think you've got that in spades!
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot more to writing than just writing! Great answers :)
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