Half-way through my research period, I´m busy studying and learning as much as possible about how to write a novel. My recommendation is to read a lot, especially concerning the genre of the novel. So it is both work and pleasure to read what other writers have done before me,
My notebooks are almost full, yet there is still much to do before I´m truly ready to sit down and do the writing part of my novel. I´m only a few weeks from practicing the techniques I have learned about. And soon it will be time to outline and plot the novel.
My dream has evolved into hard work on a daily basis. But I believe that a good start is half the battle, so I want to be as prepared as possible. I no longer count the hours, and I like my work. It is essential to have the basics in place, and the work can be used for more than one novel.
I´m also reading about psychological thrillers. They can keep the reader in a tight grip if written properly. And they can be both scary and interesting to watch in a motion picture. There are so many possibilities to choose from, and it thrills to the bone if luck strikes and I´m able to do it myself.
I know that I can write well, and I know that I can write my novel in another language than my native Danish. But I have the greatest respect for the writers before me. So I´m also nervous at times. Is my idea strong enough to carry a full-length novel? I believe it is.
It is that belief that keeps me writing and reading every day. The idea is slowly taking shape. My next research adventures are how to create a character-like setting, American English idioms, and the darker sides of human nature.
At the same time, this process is a healing one. I can release a lot of negativity when I´m writing about the darkness in the human light that creates villains and flaws in us all. And after good writing session like today, I always feel relaxed and filled with inner peace.
Even on days where nothing seems to work for me, I´m able to relax. I know that I have done my best for the day. I then finish marking the critical passages for tomorrow´s session. Usually, a good night´s sleep helps clarify a lot of things.
The good part of being in the process of writing a novel is that it keeps me motivated, the more I learn about the craft. The joy of reading other writers´ work is even bigger when you read with their techniques in mind.
The essence of the art of writing is to keep on doing it, no matter what. I will not be stopped by writer´s block anymore is my message to myself that I insist upon daily. There is always something to read and write.
Establishing a daily writing routine
My daily writing routine has evolved from being something I had ideas for but never did into a serious and yet alluring thing. I´m used to hard work, and it is hard to be a writer on some days. It is important to sit down and do the work, but it is equally necessary to leave the work and take reasonable breaks.
Physical exercise is easy with the little wise, old dog who loves to go for a walk.And the mental aspects are easily covered with daily chores and everyday life. Then the writing becomes work but also a mental retreat from the outside world.
I need that retreat, for I have been busy doing anything but save time for writing. Until now, at fifty years of age, now it is finally possible to reserve time for writing without having to compromise other parts of my life.
My writing time is sacred. I listen to music while I write, but I don´t otherwise use the Internet, my cell phone or any other unnecessary gadget. When I write, I´m concentrated on that process and not anything else. It depends, however, on what I´m writing.
When I´m writing notes, I may have the TV on instead of music, because I like to listen to it rather than watching it. When I´m writing outside in the garden, I like the combination of birds singing and the radio playing the latest tunes.
I have several workplaces to choose from. Today, the living room was chosen for I didn´t have then mental surplus to carry my writing gear to my creative den. My osteoarthritis is being mean today so I take good care of myself. I do things more slowly and relax much.
That means that I cannot write more than a thousand words in the blog post today. My hands hurt too much. I hate when it is like this. But there is nothing to do about it other than recording my thoughts and ideas with the sound recorder on my cell phone.
I plan my workday from the status of my ailments in the mornings. And I plan, knowing that there will be days like this. Therefore, I have a goal of only a thousand words per writing session. I´m thrilled when I achieve more than that. But I only use word counting to warm up, so to speak.
It is the content that matters in the end. And I would rather write less than I would deliver something below my best. Today is not a bad day besides the pain in my hands, and then there is more time to read. Currently, I´m reading three different books about writing.
So work will be done like every other day, just not the typing part. Next Monday I´ll write about my lifestyle as a writer to give you a glimpse into how my writing world looks and feels like. May your week be creative and positive, dear readers.
The Northern Witch' s Blog 