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By Sandy, July 8, 2010

You asked… (part one)

I’ve received so many wonderful questions, and they have been so fun and engaging to answer, that I’m spreading out the answers in a series of blog posts.

Tiffany, who blogs at Aspiring, asked: What has been your all-time favorite writing project to work on and why?

I love this question!

Two years ago I participated in a playwriting workshop on a whim. It was three intensive weeks of writing and workshops for four hours every afternoon.  The experience really stretched me as a writer and a person, because not only did we have to write and workshop one ten-minute play each day, we also had to participate in improv, which was utterly terrifying.

During that time I wrote a play called “Pork Belly Futures.” It’s one of those writing projects where everything just clicks, where the words just flow, as if the events and conversations between the characters have already happened and you are just transcribing them. It was chosen to be performed as part of the Northern Arizona Playwriting Showcase, and ultimately won first prize.

However, none of those reasons are why it was my favorite writing project. The day after the showcase, when I still coming down off the high of seeing my play performed in front of an audience, I felt a little weird, so I took a pregnancy test. I didn’t expect it to be positive; I had taken countless negative tests during the past two years.

You know the rest of the story…

It was the happiest day of my life.

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By Sandy, July 2, 2010

Why You Should Have Multiple Projects

If you are like me, you probably have at least two or three writing projects you are currently working on. I used to feel guilty about this, and hopelessly overburdened, until I realized that there is a plus side to have a number of irons in the fire.

If I’m working on a long, book-length project and get become stuck or paralyzed, I can often jump-start my motivation, enthusiasm, and energy level by finishing a shorter project that is already on the verge of being done.

Why Writing Projects Are Like Credit Card Debt

Suzy Orman, among other financial gurus, recommends the snowball method of paying credit card debt. The snowball method involves paying the minimum payment on all cards except for the one with the lowest balance. You put all of your financial resources into that one card until the balance is zero, and then move onto the next card.

I think this works with writing projects as well. I will focus all of my energy on either the shortest project or the one that causes me the most dread and anxiety. Once I have that project finished, I carry that momentum over into the next project.

How Many Projects?

I never have a shortage of ideas for new projects and have the terrible habit of starting and not finishing dozens of projects. I can’t relate to people who would like to write but don’t have any good ideas.  I’ve heard the advice to have no more than three writing projects going at one time, but for me the key is what type of projects I am working on. I find that I can easily juggle multiple projects if they different enough. For example, right now I am working on two book-length projects, one is academic non-fiction and the other is a novel. I also usually have a variety of short projects going at one time, such as academic articles, freelance essays, and poetry.

Row, Row, Row Your Projects

When singing a round, like “Row Row Row Your Boat,” each group of singers waits until the first group has completed a verse before they jump in and begin singing. I find that this rhythm works well with writing projects as well. I usually have one project that is still in the brainstorming and outlining stage, one project that is deep in the drafting stage, and one project that is completed and either awaiting feedback or undergoing revisions or editing.

Beware the Siren Song of the New Project

My name is Sandy and I am addicted to starting new projects.

In her book  Chapter After Chapter: Discover the Dedication and Focus You Need to Write the Book of Your Dreams, Heather Sellers calls this “The Sexy Next Book.” She says, “Every book in your head seems easier than what you’re doing now.” I couldn’t agree with this more. I try to avoid getting lured into a new project, but I do keep a notebook where I can jot down ideas when they strike me. That way I know those ideas will be waiting for me when I have completed my current project or projects.

What are your strategies for juggling multiple projects?

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By Sandy, June 29, 2010

1. You have to do it often.

2. It can be difficult to pin down your subject.

3. The process is messy, but the results can be satisfying.

4. There are many methods; find the one that works for you.

5. You might be nervous at first, but eventually it will become a habit.

6. It takes time and practice to be good at it.

7. You might sometimes be surprised at what comes out.

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By Sandy, May 24, 2010

On Saturday I spent the day in my office at the university, because I have a lot of work to get done in the next few weeks, and I have a hard time staying focused and on-task when I’m taking care of Oscar.

In the past I might have spent as much as half the time doing nothing but reading forums, answering emails, paging through a magazine, taking breaks every half hour, etc.

However, since having Oscar I’ve come to appreciate how precious my time really is. As I drove to my office I switched off the radio and began thinking about a writing project that I’ve been in the middle of for a long time. I stayed in that mindset as I walked into my office and switched on the computer. I spent the next three hours writing nonstop. I rarely get “in the zone” like this, and when I do, it’s heaven.

If I spent more time writing and less time dreading it, I’d be a much happier person.

For more perfect moments, visit Lori.

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By Sandy, May 14, 2010

If you are a writer and you are not on Twitter, you should be. When I first joined Twitter, I didn’t really get it. I posted updates about my pregnancy and funny little observations about Oscar, but except for my family, I figured nobody was reading my tweets.

Then one day I was browsing around the Writer’s Digest website and I came across Jane Friedman’s Best Tweets for Writers. I immediately began following her and all of the writers she listed. My use of Twitter really took off at that point, and began to realize that Twitter is not about posting what I had for breakfast, it’s about networking, crowdsourcing, community, and promotion.

Networking

With Twitter, I am able to connect to writers, editors, and agents, on a daily basis. I find it much more immediate and effective for communicating and making connections than writing emails or commenting on blogs. Top names in the business will respond to tweets and even retweet.  They have offered resources, observations, inspiration, encouragement and advice. Now you no longer have to move to Manhattan to rub elbows with writers and publishers.

Crowdsourcing

Twitter is a great place to go to get ideas, solve problems, and have your questions answered. I find that I get varied, enthusiastic, and useful responses when I ask questions. My fellow tweeters are always available, night and day, to brainstorm, offer up writing prompts, kick me in the butt, or point me in the direction I need to go. If someone doesn’t know the answer to a question, they usually know someone else who does.

Community

One of the best ways to build community among writers on Twitter is to participate in chats. I try to participate regularly in #writetip, #litchat,  and #amwriting. These chats are designated by hashtags, some are ongoing, and some occur at set times each week. For example, #litchat occurs Friday afternoons at 4:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.

These chats are fast-paced, fun, and informative. I always walk away inspired, having learned something new, and with a handful of new followers and writing friends. The Twitter writing community has helped me get through NaNoWriMo, tough writing projects, and writer’s block.

Promotion

If you have a blog or writing project to promote, Twitter is the place to do it. Millions of people on Twitter are looking for stuff to read online, and you can use Twitter to direct them to your blog, podcast, website, or e-book. I have found that writers are enormously supportive of each other, retweeting announcements and commenting on each other’s blogs. Many writers, such as Mur Lafferty, have used Twitter to gather large numbers of loyal followers.

Follow Friday

In order to network and build community on Twitter, you have to follow and be followed. I love Follow Friday because I see who my favorite writers on Twitter are following, and who they recommend. However, some people are overwhelmed by Follow Friday because people will often post large lists of who to follow, without any context or explanation.

I’ve decided to highlight a few of my favorite writers in honor of Follow Friday. This is a very small percentage of who I follow, so I will try to highlight some new writers each week:

@CKHBFiction

Carrie Kei Heim Binas is a novelist whose excellent blog is a must read.

@ClaudiaC

Claudia is a beekeeper and novelist, as well as a regular participant in #WriterWednesday. Follow who she follows and you will connect with some wonderful writers.

@inkyelbows

A writer and comic, Debbie is a regular participant in Twitter chats. The cartoons she posts on her website are a hilarious and necessary diversion for any struggling writer.

@AdviceToWriters

An endless supply of useful links, inspiration, and quotes from famous writers.

@thecreativepenn

Joanna Penn is not only a writer, but also a social media expert. Follow her on Twitter and tune in to her great blog posts and “vlogs” about writing and publishing in Web 2.0.

Who do you follow on Twitter and why?