When I was asked by writer and friend Connie McLeod to join a group of lovely, talented writers who are taking turns sharing their unique writing process, I jumped at the chance, because oh goody I get to talk about me! I love learning about writers’ creative process and, in turn, discovering and sharing my own.
Why do I write what I do?
I wanted to be a writer ever since I got my hands on my first diary. (Oh, those drama filled pages!) My dream was to create my own magazine, so my dad bought me a notebook with dividers which I filled with ridiculous amazing content. My vision was a kind of a Cosmo meets Tiger Beat.
As a former shy girl, writing opened up a whole new world and way in which to live large. Occasionally, I write heavy pieces, but then I think who on earth would want to read that, so I purge my soul and find the funny which I much prefer to share. It brings me much joy to know I’ve made someone laugh or brought a little sunshine to their day. One of the perks of writing is that it’s given me the chance to meet so many talented, wonderful people that I now call friends.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I think we all have a unique voice. I’ve been told that my voice is like the warm, funny, yet savvy girlfriend you love chatting with over a long lunch. Wait…maybe that’s just me – anyway – I’ve always been someone who people come to to share their life and ask advice. And, obviously, I enjoy putting my two cents in. I’m having a good time here and I think that’s reflected in my work.
How does my writing process work?
Everything begins with coffee. Then the hair has to be dealt with. It’s impossible to focus unless the entire unruly mop is affixed to the top of my head, a la Marge Simpson. (Voila, I can see!) Then I sit at my desk which is covered with colorful Post-it notes filled with scribbled blog ideas and funny lines – organization isn’t my forte – and then I do what I do best.
Procrastinate.
Often I would rather focus on social media than write – so much easier! When I’m up against a deadline is when I start cleaning out drawers. I’m convinced this helps with the creative process.
When get really stuck I go for a walk and listen to music – it’s when ideas come alive and I take notes (imagine Mr. Magoo walking blindly between darting cars). Then I come home, grab a bottle of water or cup of tea, and write. Stare at the screen. Send a text. Write. Edit. Get up, do a few laps around the kitchen, eat some snacks, then rewrite some more. Often, finding a typo just after I click publish. It’s a labor of love, really.
What am I working on?
I have several projects simmering on the burners right now. I’m a little superstitious so I don’t like to share until the ink is dry, but I have created a blogging/writing bucket list and I’m slowly (oh, dear God, slowly!) working my way through it.
Having a bucket list keeps me focused on my goals (and less on online shopping), which tend to evolve and become more clear each year. Of course, I write about where I’m at in my life so expect a post or two about hitting a major milestone birthday soon! Those of you not yet 30, I’ll let you know how it is 😉
And now it’s Lois Alter Marks turn to share her process. Lois Alter Mark is an award-winning writer who blogs at Midlife at the Oasis. The reigning champion of Blogger Idol, she writes regularly for Huffington Post and USA Today. She is the winner of two BlogHer Voices of the Year Awards and was named Humor Writer of the Month by Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop. Lois was a contributing writer for Entertainment Weekly for fifteen years and the Flicks for Kids Editor at NickJr.com for almost a decade. She’s written for dozens of magazines, including Elle, GQ and Woman’s World, and is the co-author of the bestselling book, Wonderplay.
You are so authentic, Linda, in the true sense of that overused word. You write and describe yourself exactly as you are – lovely, funny, aware and wonderful. I enjoyed getting to know you even more.
Procrastination? That is my middle name!
Thanks, Cathy! ((Hugs!)) This was such a fun project. Love that we’re all getting to know each other better.
Loved this, from the great title and on. Procrastination seems just to be part of the writing process for most writers. Except for me of course – I never play solitaire, eat chocolate, drink tea or go on Facebook or read blogs instead of writing! 🙂
Oh man do we have a lot in common, coffee, unruly hair, missed calling as a therapist, lack of organizational skills…but there is a divide…rest assured no one would ever write “she kept us laughing” on my headstone…well they might, but that would be for a whole different set of reasons and stand-up comedy is not one of them. Loved your post!
I do need to add that apparently Lois, got a really good sleep last night because she posted her piece as soon as you handed her the torch! Now it’s in my hand and in serious danger of being dropped or worse extinguished because I still have a house to clean, a 5 mile walk to complete and 20 years of photographs to organize so I can string together my first sentence about the writing life!
Love the hair on the head, I do that too! It has to be up or I can’t think!
Love that, Linda! I think the colored post-it note idea is terrific–just might steal that one from you. And, the taking a walk idea in order to get your creative juices flowing is genius…in fact I just read an article that says just that! Here it is…http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/30/want-to-be-more-creative-take-a-walk/
I just never know when I’ll feel like writing. My hair must also be dealt with too, before I write a word!
LOVE this! Yes you are the funny, warm, savvy girlfriend I love to hang out with. I’m so glad to hear you also procrastinate. I always enjoy what you write, and this is no exception.
I love this! I always wanted to start my own magazine, too. Let’s do it! We can put up our hair and procrasinate, I mean chat, over lunch. Thanks for the intro. You’re a hard act to follow! xo
I wanted to work for a magazine when I was a kid too; Tiger Beat meets People meets Dynamite. I think you and I are on the same procrastination page too. Pass the coffee please. 😉
Hilariously funny and just what I needed this morning! I’m glad to know I’m not the only unorganized one in the lot of us. I am always scribbling ideas down when it comes time to write of course I can never find the notes!
It’s so funny! I thought
Ha ha sorry, I sneezed and somehow managed to submit me comment.
That’s so funny! I thought I was the only one with that hair quirk. I donated 26ish inches of my hair to locks of love 6 weeks ago so it’s not Marge Simpson worthy anymore, but I still have to put it in a little ponytail or I can’t concentrate.
Walk… post its…snack… coffee…walk around the kitchen…clean out drawers…on line shop..text…go back and edit…find errors right after you hit publish…
I so get you Linda. I SO get you. 🙂
It seems to be a universal thing this process.
Glad to see I’m not the only one who resorts to…procrastination… I solve my hair dilemma with a turban. Yep, don’t come a knocking on my door until well after lunch time, lest you find me with my still-wet head wrapped in a brightly colored wrap…
It’s the little things, like the Chinese fortunes and my window looking out onto the valley and the laundry that’s been occupying the sofa for a week (and will for another) and, sigh, a Words With Friends (or two) with my mom…what can I say, she lives on the other side of the country and it’s important to stay in touch, isn’t it?
Thanks for this glimpse into your writerly life!
Of course, staying in touch is so important. That’s why every other post I do is a tweet or a text. Just spreading the love.
Wonderful piece Linda. I always have to fight procrastination, too, and as a college project put together a magazine for–ready for this– prostitutes.
Wow, that must have been interesting Estelle!
you are a warm savvy, funny girlfriend and every bit the same person IRL. So happy that we have had the chance to both meet you and read you. Love this on writing and procrastination. http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/02/why-writers-are-the-worst-procrastinators/283773/
Thanks, Lisa and Mary Dell! Loved meeting you both too. Thanks for reading.
I’m so delighted to hear I’m not the only one who has mastered the fine art of procrastination!
Yes, I’m pretty sure I’ve taken it to an art form.
I certainly can identify with those laps around the kitchen … and I spent an hour last week organizing my stationary drawer and matching cards up with displaced envelopes! I WAS more focused after that though 🙂 Thanks for the humor!