How I Write (by Andrew)

Since Kim's set this blog up mainly to reconnect with writing, I thought I'd add my own thoughts on how I write. I'm no authority on the subject, but every little helps.

So...

Forget that old notion that you need peace and quiet, I need chaos and noise and distractions. I don't like my environment ro be sterile, I like it to be full of inspiration; in short, everything that is familiar to me. It's always been like that. I've tried creating environments without distraction, where everything is nice and quiet and I can concentrate on my work. Except it doesn't work. I get bored, because until I get into the flow of things (if at all) I need to fidget and be distractable. I've built my room the way I want it, and it has everything in it that I want and need.

I have to decide beforehand that I'm going to write. Usually the day before. If I pick up my laptop and open Word on a whim, I may end up with a few lines, but that will probably be all. I need to have agreed with myself that tomorrow is a writing day. Most of the time it comes about because I actually have ideas that I want to get down. I don't think you can force it otherwise. Personally, I need to be excited about it.

I try to be up early. If I lie in I feel tired and groggy and uninspired. A cup of tea is a must, followed by another. Usually I'll sit around, check my e-mails or what-have-you, make some more tea, look around my room. Finally, I'll open my laptop, open Word and load whatever it is I'm writing.

When I'm writing, I have to use Word, and I have to have the document arranged to A5. When I was younger I used to do this to make my work look like the size of a normal paperback book, and the habit has stuck. I can't write anything otherwise.

Once I've opened the document, I'll usually go make some more tea, maybe have some breakfast. I might take a shower, I might not (sometimes I wait until I've finished writing). After that I'll probably sit down, type a few lines, browse the internet for a bit more. Maybe I'll put some music on.

When I start writing proper, I like to have some appropriate music. Sometimes this is the catalyst for my writing, a signal to my brain that tells it that it's time for work. Sometimes, if I have a particular feeling in mind, I'll put one song on repeat, turn it up loud, and block out everything else. Other times I let i-Tunes make its own mind up. Once I'm absorbed in writing, it tends to drift away anyway. If i run out of tea I'll go and make some more. No exception.

That's how I do it. It's a seemingly random and chaotic method of working that nevertheless is rigidly structured and usually has me strung out on tea by midday. I tend not to proof read any of my work, or read over it as I'm typing. I just let whatever's in my head come out, and once it's down I shut the laptop and forget about it. I'm usually thinking about what I'm going to write next.

Another thing: I try not to look at anything I write for a while after it's written. A month or two is probably preferable, just to get some distance, so that when you come back to it it's fresh and new. It makes it easier to be objective.