Hello Writer’s and Readers, I’m sorry for the inconsistency with Blog posts lately, I’ve been putting my all into editing FH’s hope (AFRICKINGAIN) and I’m now on draft #4. I have been watching tons of writing videos in search of inspiration and I found this lovely tag by Kim Chance and Mandi Lynn and I thought it looked so fun I decided to do it.

I’m going to tag my fellow writers on twitter @AuthorAlisonH, @52WeeksLater,  @ScarlettOlivier,  @ab2fsycho, and H. R. R. Gorman.

Alrighty let’s do this!

Writing Ritual Tag Questions:

When do you write? (time of day, day of week)

I try to write everyday if I’m inspired, but I get my best mojo at night. Something about when the sun goes down and the house gets quiet really helps me focus.

How do you seclude yourself from the outside world?

Headphones of course! I usually write in my bed or in a storage room my family calls the cave which I have turned into my little office. I have a crazy family, so the key is mostly drowning out the outside sounds when I’m writing.

How do you review what you wrote the previous day?

At the end of my document I usually paste a small clipping of my outline which usually consists of one scene with bullet points on what needs to happen in that scene. So if I stop mid scene, I usually highlight or underline to the point where I reached in the outline and review that the next day. If I’m feeling inspired for the next action or sequence but I need to stop writing, I’ll usually write out a short, very grammatically incorrect line or two in present tense such as “Mark goes off to build fire. sulks figures out how to use Realm w/out entering” this keeps my head in the place I was the night before so I can pick up in the morning or next evening.

What song is your go-to when you’re feeling uninspired?

Music inspires everything in my life and I have a myriad of songs I go to for inspiration. I usually like to find one song that I can put on repeat and use that to drown out everything, but if I had to choose “Creation of Earth” by Thomas Bergersen. It quiets me, when slowly builds my focus and excitement for writing. Go check it out. It makes me feel like I just jumped into Narnia.

What do you always do (i.e. listen to music, read, watch youtube, etc.) when you find yourself struggling with writer’s block?

If I’m stuck with really bad writer’s block I have a few rituals to get myself out of it. generally I always know where my story is going and I review my outlines often, and it boils down to lack of inspiration that kills my writing mojo. One thing I love to do is take an “inspiration shower” get some good music, turn it up really loud, light a candle, lock myself into the bathroom, and take a really long shower. This is an early evening thing, right after dinner, haven’t been feeling inspired all day, “alright it’s time to brainstorm, I’mma go shave my legs!”

What tools do you use when you’re writing?

I’ve always been a MS Word junkie. I’m aware other software exists but Word is my one and only. However with my crazy editing routine lately, I’ve started keeping three notebooks. One for notes and outlines, with research notes on publishing. The second in a weekly planner I got from target which has more space in it so I have room to scribble around if I want to make a list for myself one a certain day. The third is a little leather notebook I got for my last birthday that I use for on the go note taking and a little bullet journaling. But I tend to use it more for phone numbers and work stuff.

What’s the one thing you can’t live without during a writing session?

Tea! I’m a tea addict, and I cannot even get into writing section without a steaming cup of tea beside me. The teas that inspire me the most are “Country Peach” and “Sleepytime” by Celestial Seasonings, and “Yummy Caramel” and “Vanilla Chai” by Bigelow. but Earl Grey is always my morning cupa.

How do you fuel yourself during your writing session?

I don’t really get the munchies while writing, and if I do get hungry it usually makes me stop writing and go doddle around on youtube. I occasionally like having some kind of hard candy to suck on like mints (or cough drops when applicable) but I’m quite self-conscious about my teeth since they’re already so stained from tea.

How do you know when you’re done writing?

When I look over at the clock and realize “HOLY CRAP IT’S 1:30AM!!! YOU NEED TO GO TO SLEEP!”

Thanks for reading!

Here’s the list of questions for you to fill out:

When do you write? (time of day, day of week)

How do you seclude yourself from the outside world?

How do you review what you wrote the previous day?

What song is your go-to when you’re feeling uninspired?

What do you always do (i.e. listen to music, read, watch youtube, etc.) when you find yourself struggling with writer’s block?

What tools do you use when you’re writing?

What’s the one thing you can’t live without during a writing session?

How do you fuel yourself during your writing session?

How do you know when you’re done writing?