What’s new in your world this week?  I am writing like a fiend.  I wanted to discuss writing styles this week.   By styles I mean how do you write, where do you write, what encourages you to write?  Do you ever get overwhelmed and just sick of it?  And how long does that last?

I started out writing when my parents became ill.  It was a good outlet and good therapy for getting my feelings out in the open.  Then my grandson was born and I had the perfect audience.  He loved my books – for a while until he outgrew them.  But, that was good for me too.  My writing has evolved from therapy to entertainment and now to a much deeper well of inspiration.

I makeup stuff.  What about you?  Do you write fiction or non-fiction?  I had a friend once that said “I don’t read fiction.”  I thought really?  How can you not read the things of someone’s imagination?  That seems to be all I have sometimes.  If I didn’t write this stuff down and do something with it, I think my head might explode.  And yes, I’ll admit sometimes I get overwhelmed and have to take a break, but it never lasts too long.

Does where you write affect how you write?  I sit on the love seat in the living room with my laptop most of the time.  My husband thinks laptops can overheat on your lap.  I say, “They are LAPTOPS!  They are supposed to be in your lap!”  Maybe he is mistaking that smoke coming out from underneath as overheating when it is really just a smokin’ good story coming out.

I think I would love to attend a seminar that sits in the woods near a cabin and write with no interruptions.  Then I think of bugs.  If phones and televisions bother me sometimes, they are nothing compared to bugs.  Where do you think the term “bugging you” comes from? Or maybe a beach would be good, but I sunburn easily and would need frequent beverage breaks.

Maybe I’ll just stay home. 

Do you type directly into the computer, or do you write it out long hand first.  I have been given journals that collect dust in the bookcase.  I do keep a little notebook in my purse in case of inspiration so I won’t forget it.    I always type directly into the computer.  Being able to move paragraphs around and change the way the sentence is worded is so much easier with a computer.  Sometimes writing doesn’t come easily to me.  But, I know people that fill up notebooks and then spend hours typing the manuscript later.

I can’t imagine. 

So what is your writing style?  Do you write on the couch, kitchen table, office desk?  Do you write late at night after everyone has gone to bed or in the middle of the bullpen with kids, dogs, husbands and TV?  What is your inspiration and what makes you quit?  Let me know this week and we’ll discuss it.