Writing

I look back over my blog and discover that I've posted more times this month than I have all year. In fact I've posted almost every day over the latter half of this month. This is a record for me and I'm very proud of myself. I have a routine and am sticking with it.

I used to wonder how people could write something new everyday but now I discover that it's all a matter of discipline. First, I am never without a pen and paper. Whenever I think of something or have an idea, I write it down. If I don't put it on paper, chances are it will be lost, possibly forever - I've done that many times, even now if I'm too busy.

When I get home to my computer, I put down the idea in a writing program which has a notebook with pages. At the top of each page I put one idea, then when I'm ready to expand on it, I do. Right now I have ten pages of ideas and come up with more all the time. This ensures that I have at least one thing to write about every day for my blog.

The next step is to set aside some time every day to do my writing. If I have a day off, I try to do it as early in the day as possible, that way I can go on to other things and not fuss that I haven't written yet. On days that I have to go to work early, I make sure that I get my writing done as soon as possible when I get home. If I can't get to my computer, I write it in a paper notebook so that it's easily transcribable later.

I also have other projects on the go with my writing. I write short stories and I am working on a novel. I'm finished the rough draft of the novel and am presently working on the second draft. There is one other project which I can't talk about right now but will in a couple of weeks, when it's finished. One last thing happened today which relates to this.

I went to Starbucks for my first break at work today, had a smoke and then went and sat outside the coffee shop. I had a book to read and was about to open it when a man sitting a couple of tables over, asked me if I had time to read. I told him I did, I read as much as I can.

We chatted and told each other what we did for work and other things. I told him that I write in my spare time. He brightened right away and started asking me questions about my writing. I told him what I could and he pitched an idea for me to work on. He wants to write a book but, the fact that he is an immigrant and English is his second language, has trouble putting words to paper. He asked me if I'd work with him.

I am very entrigued and excited. I don't know if it will go anywhere, I don't even know if we'll be able to work together. I hope it will go well though and that something will come of it, if only experience.

Writing is such a large part of my life now and the more I write, the more I want to write. I think that Gloria Steinem put it best when she said: "Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else."