Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Write on Wednesday

Write on Wednesday asks:

Are you ever assailed with self doubt about your writing ability, or about the reasons for writing at all? Do you “follow yourself around nagging and suggesting and complaining”? What are some of the negative things your Editor tells you? What could your Editor say to be more encouraging? How do you encourage yourself to keep practicing the craft of writing?

My reasons for writing came from boredom. When you can't drive alone, have poor balance and hubby's at work, you need more than a boob tube for entertainment. I love to read but that comes in waves. The fact that I won't put a good book down unless I have to pee maybe the reason for the waves. My family also prefers I eat and talk with them when their at home. Go figure? lol

Reading helped me to tell a good story with the addition of facial expressions and Italian hands. It also expanded my everyday vocabulary to new heights. Between reading, my humor and life experiences, writing on my computer was like telling a story with just a finger. Bloggers liked my voice encouraging me to step out of my safety zone into poetry and fiction. I was very nervous to tell a story I hadn't lived or in a foreign format, like poetry. But I tried it and really liked it. I now saw stories and poetry everywhere I went.

I look at every post as a conversation or story I'm telling a friend. I don't think about if it's a good story or not. I just worry that my finger won't translate fast enough from my brain to the screen. I write just like I talk except with poetry. That is a translation of feelings. It is a little tricky so if I'm stuck I turn to Dave, my editor. I know by his reaction if it needs tweaking, he never has to say a word. I don't pre-write, I edit twice, spell check and hit post. It takes about an hour after the idea comes to me for the process. I don't take it too seriously, I just sit back and enjoy watching where it takes me. It helps your confidence when your editor is your biggest fan. ;)

I don't need to encourage myself to write because my blog buddies and Dave do it for me. Of course, if I get into a good book, a rut, or go away for a few days it's hard to get back to the keyboard. That editor of mine never fails to notice my absence as he slyly asks " What's your prompt today?" or "did you blog today?" The more I write the more I enjoy it and when I go back to 2005 I see improvement. I still need some classes in grammar and composition but that will be icing on the cake.

http://ajeeb.deviantart.com/art/Writing-25586430 PHOTO
http://writeonwednesday.wordpress.com/

22 comments:

paisley said...

being more or less "homebound" myself,, i know how vital it is to write and read and interact via blogging buddies... i am so happy to know you,, and thrilled to be one of those for whom you choose to write....

anno said...

Oh, Tammy, I'm with you, the blogging community is enormously supportive and encouraging. There are so many interesting ideas, so many provocative questions, and so many kind responses... it's tremendously compelling. I'm glad you're here, and I'm glad I've had the chance to read your work.

Becca said...

Lucky you, to have an editor and cheerleader in one! We should all take a lesson from that - look how far you can get with some good encouragment.

I think this is great adivce:

"I don't take it too seriously, I just sit back and enjoy watching where it takes me." And I loved the way you talk about "writing in your own voice." That's exactly why I feel like I've been chatting with you every time I read one of your posts :)

Thanks for adding your special voice to Write On Wednesday once again!

daisies said...

the writing on my blog is unedited for the most part, i usually write my posts at work on coffee break so its pretty free flow :) but my writing that i do outside of my blog is edited within an inch of its life, lol ... and i get stressed about it, i never get stressed when i blog :)

i love how you write and that you have such an awesome editor!! and we, your readers get to benefit :)

xo

emmapeelDallas said...

I'm so glad you write! Aside from the fact that I look forward to every post, I wouldn't know you otherwise! You have a great editor, btw. I think it's important to chronicle our lives. I read excerpts from a wonderful journal written in the mid-1800's and entitled, "A Hard Working Woman" (or something like that). In addition to the blogging community, I think it's possible our words will someday be read by people in the future...and that's a neat thought. So KEEP WRITING!

:)

Judi

Beatriz Macias said...

Very happy to have you as a blogging buddy, and I agree with previous comments that you have a clear voice that I am lucky to read. Congratulations on having a great editor.

Jeanie said...

I adore that your editor is your biggest fan! Yes, I couldn't agree more about the blogging community being so wildly supportive. I'm finding this out in spades this week, and it is more gratifying than I can say.

Amber said...

You write so well, I always have to remind myself how much work it is for you to type. But happy you do it.
Blogging must b such a lifeline for so many of us. I am just a stay at home mom, but I think the connection to other women has kept me sane...Well, sane-ish. lol

:)

Andi said...

Thank you for inviting me to be one of your readers. It's enough just to write some days isn't it?

Battling with you via blog and prayer.

rel said...

Tammy,
I'm glad you write like you talk. That way we get to know YOU! Occasionally I write free flow to the key-board but more often I write everything out in long hand. The interesting thing is that when I transcribe it to the computer it takes on a very different stance. I enjoy writing but I like to talk more.

rel

Chris said...

Very interesting to read from your point of view, since I have been in a slump for, I dunno, a year or so. I'm trying to do more journalling than blogging to get my writing voice back.

Anonymous said...

Yes Tammy I agree, the new look is sensaish! I ponder why we need motivation and I suspect it's because we have so much else going on that the push to do a task OK's the use of time! I'm like a a dog with a bone waiting for meme's, yet there's a zillion topics I could write on ... thank goodness we're complicated and not plain boring ;)

Anonymous said...

I love your editor! I think I'm going to borrow him/her/it? And yes, blog buddies are great and fantastic stimulants, they keep you on your toes. I'm so glad you feel that you're improving. and I love your site - it looks and feels great. I shall add it to my blogroll :)

Geraldine said...

Writing is such a satisfying pursuit, isn't it? And support and encouragement when we 'get it right' is so nice too. Your Dave sounds like a wonderful guy.

Sending big hugs your way, G

Happy, Happy Fourth!

www.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

As I have told you many times before, I love your writing. You paint such beautiful pictures with your words. I know I am blessed to have found you.
I am totally with you on the blogging support. It is such a wonderful gift.
XOXOX

paris parfait said...

It's wonderful that you're willing to expand your horizons, because look where you've gone! Your writing is lovely and inspiring and we're all enriched by reading your stories. xoxox

Mary Timme said...

I love that you are willing to share a life that isn't easy and yet you make no excuses and just live it. It is an inspiration to me! Thank you!

Kay Cooke said...

Thanks for the recap and I have been an admirer and satisfied reader for some time now so I say Thanks for the enjoyment.

Anonymous said...

How cool to have your editor and your biggest fan, be one and the same!
And yes, there are lots of us in Bloglanida, are right behind him in your fan club line-up though! Write on!!! :)
~XOXO

bella said...

I really enjoyed this, hearing about what brought you to begin writing, what your process is like, what your internal "editor" says in your ear.
Thank-you for sharing, for peeling back some of the layers like this.
I usually just come here and marvel at your writing.
Interesting and enjoyable to see this side to it.

MISTY and CO... said...

you are inspiring and amazing. i just started with the "about me" of your blog and got chills. i, too, love to read and think it can really go hand in hand with creativity in writing....thanks for this post. i cannot wait to read more...

Giggles said...

I can't imagine being without the blog community! They can pick your spirits up when you feel so down! I really think it's great how our families support blogging. They know how much it means to us and when they ask it just fills you up. I have a friend who has written about four unpublished books, her hubby has not asked her one thing about them...Nothing...she is so hurt!

Hugs Sherrie
Reading your blog is like sitting with a comfy novel. I do feel like you're speaking to us from your heart!