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My Favorite Writing Habits and Approaches

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By Danielle Marie Crume
You Know It By Heart

My treasured ideas for writers:

Writing is best when it is lived just as is any passion that we feel in our heart. It is a lifestyle, a being. Become it through your practice.

To develop your writing and/or passion, first make your presence with it a priority.

It is simple. Make time and space for it.

But reconsider which time and space works best.

TIME
Find the ideal pocket of time in your usual routine. Whether you develop a little bit of it daily or focus on it once every week, find the spot that is just right; one that flows with your energy.

Use this as a "rock" in your flow. Allow other things to move around it; keep it your priority.

I prefer mornings when the energy is fresh and it is more likely to be nice and quiet so that I can really be with my self and am not as easily distracted.

SPACE
Set up a space customized for developing your passion; one that is attractive to you and draws you in. Place all the essential tools customized for you and this project within easy reach. Make it so that it prompts your creative flow and feels great to be in.

Visit it every day, a few times. Even if just for a check in. Allow it to serve as a keystone to always keep you connected.

SHOWTIME
When you actually get into that pocket of space and time in which you are really writing, keep these approaches in mind. First tune into what type of mood you're in or what you're feeling and identify which you'd like to do.

Journaling/Creative: If you feel inspired and have thoughts to spew, jot them down in a handwritten journal and allow it to flow. Don't think twice about spelling errors or punctuation. You can perfect it later. Just focus on getting to what you are feeling and getting it out on the paper.
Reviewing/Filling In: If you are not so inspired to write about any particular thing, flip through some old notes. If you don't have any now, you will have tons very soon if you really like to write. Keep all notes you write randomly with any type of inspiration in them and then reference them at these times. I have folders full. You can fill in past things you've started or further outline them. Take what you've written in the past a little farther. Usually it brings me right into the flow.
Editing/Refining: This is the final version of your writing. Go through it all once again and see if anything else arises to be added or if any parts are no longer needed. Make sure that the overall structure is best and that it also flows well.

Your blog can serve as a great way to naturally prompt your writing regularly. It also allows others to enjoy your writing as well.

Whatever your preference, collect your final drafts in one place that is well organized and easily findable.

I would love to hear your tricks and tips. Leave a comment below. Have fun writing.

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Comment by Angela McCoy on September 30, 2009 at 5:36pm: These are wonderful tips, Dani! I would like to add the following, if you don't mind:

* As you are writing, focus more on expressing yourself in an honest, transparent manner. If you focus too much on what your audience might think, you will lose yourself. Pour your heart into your works, and your readers will appreciate your candidness, and therefore, be better able to relate to you . . . the writer.

I recently posted about my son's suicide, and just let the feelings flow out of me, not paying any mind to what others may think of my words. Writing is my therapy, and it took 2.5 years to finally write his memorial. These posts were extremely emotional, as I was crying and cursing the whole time I was writing. However, I now feel a tremendous sense of relief, not to mention I have also found very supportive readers through comments.

That's what matters to our readers, though--honesty, sincerity . . . writing from the heart.

* I keep a small pocket-sized spiral notebook with me everywhere I go throughout the day. If I think of something I'd like to write, I can quickly jot it down, even if it's just a fragmented thought.

Later, when I am ready to compose, I read through my "Thoughts" Journal, and build a story or blog post around whatever thoughts I may have had during that particular day.

As Dani mentioned, practice, practice, practice! It's the only way to get better at everything one seeks to learn, and writing is no different.

Hugs,

Angela @ Mom's Fortress of Solitude

Comment by Danielle Marie Crume on September 29, 2009 at 12:47pm: Yay!!
How fun to be featured in the newsletter!!!

Thanks for your feedback and tips, Mamas. :)

Love, Dani

Danielle Crume
Aham Prema
http://www.YouKnowItByHeart.com

Comment by Mary Jane Hurley Brant on September 29, 2009 at 8:56am: Love this blog, Moms!

I would recommend this above all: write first, edit second and be disciplined. Make certain you read other writers' work who encourage as Stephen King's On Writing. I also enjoyed Bird By Bird and Writing Down the Bones.

Come to my site if you want to read a little and share. Moms have a lot to say and we are the greatest group in the world!

Mary Jane Hurley Brant, M.S., CGP
Author of When Every Day Matters:
A Mother's Memoir on Love, Loss and Life
Simple Abundance Press, Oct. 1, 2008
http://WhenEveryDayMatters.com

Comment by melissapapajphotography on September 29, 2009 at 7:58am: I just know that this is something I really need to work on. My blog if full of great images, but my writing skills are definitely lacking. :) Thanks for the tips...

Melissa Papaj
Melissa Papaj Photography