Write Now with Sarah Werner

By Sarah Rhea WernerEducation Arts

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Write Now with Sarah Werner episodes

August 24, 2015 How To Defeat Writers' Block - WN 021
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My friends. Episode 021 of the Write Now podcast is about writer's block and how to defeat it. GET READY.
Have you ever struggled with writers' block?
Writers' block can seize any writer at any point during the writing process. But that doesn't mean you can't fight back!
In today's podcast episode, I talk about what to do when:
You can't come up with an idea
You have too many ideas and you can't commit to just one
You don't know what to write next
You've strayed from your outline and you don't know how to get back on track
You're bored with what you've written
You don't feel like writing
You're paralyzed by fear
You're stuck in revision purgatory
The many cures for writers' block.
From writing exercises to the steps to getting unstuck (WN 013), getting yourself in a writing mood (WN 008), or regaining your confidence (WN 005), you'll want to make sure that you choose the cure that fits your situation. I'll help you do that in today's episode.
Going through a period of writers' block does not make you a failure. Even if you miss a day or two of writing (or a month or two, or a year or two), it doesn't mean you're any less a writer.
Writers' block happens to most writers. What really determines if you're successful or not is how you deal with it.
What do you do?
What do you do when writers' block strikes? Let me know or share your thoughts in the comments below!
Question of the week.
Thanks to podcast listener Brian for this week's question! It's about social media.
Brian asks:
Would you recommend having two separate social media accounts? One for your writing, professional self, and another for everything else? I'm especially interested in Twitter, but wonder if this would apply to other services as well.
I have a background in digital marketing, so this was a fun question for me to tackle. It starts at about the 31:11 mark and will hopefully help you sort out what's right for you.
Submit your own thoughts or questions on my contact page, or simply email me at hello [at] sarahwerner [dot] com. I can't wait to hear from you.
Leave me a review.
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The post How To Defeat Writers’ Block – WN 021 appeared first on The Write Now Podcast with Sarah Werner.
39 min
August 10, 2015 Truth In Fiction - WN 020
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I never intended to go into marketing. In fact, I just kind of fell into it -- and realized I was fairly decent at it. In marketing, I've learned a lot about truth (and how people respond to truth) that I'll share with you today in Episode 020 of the Write Now podcast.
Truth! Beauty! Right?
There's an adage that says, "Writers are professional liars." I can understand the cynicism and humor that lie beneath that statement, but I don't agree with it. Not a bit.
When you're writing to connect with people, whether it's an account of factual events or a story about unicorns piloting spaceships through a multiverse of rainbows, you have a responsibility to tell the truth.
The fiction writer is the penultimate truth-teller.
The resonant and enduring beauty of fiction doesn't lie in a mere faithful retelling of events. And simply writing what you know (yet another writing adage) is not enough.
We write and read fiction to connect with others -- to find truths in one another. As Ernest Hemingway once said,
"From all things that you know, and from all those you cannot know, you make something through your invention that is not a representation but a whole new thing, truer than anything true and alive."
I really can't say it any better than that.
Read more about it.
Podcast listener Maggie referenced a rich and lovely interview with Maya Angelou in her letter to me. If you'd like to read that interview yourself, you'll find it here, in the Paris Review No. 119.
I also quote a couple passages from Stephen King's On Writing in this episode. It's a great book, and you should read it if you haven't already.
The book of the week.
I re-read Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried for this week's podcast episode, and I'm glad I did. Not because I especially enjoy war stories or Vietnam War fiction, or even because I missed a lot of its finer nuances as a college student.
It just felt... refreshing to know that I'm not the only one who struggles with truth-telling in fiction.
It's a relief to know I'm not the only one who gets frustrated by the gross inadequacy and inability of our language to convey the complex spectrum of emotions that can be packed into one single event, one single moment.
I'm not alone in this. You're not alone in this. And that's truth-telling at its finest.
Keep up-to-date with my book-related adventures on Goodreads.
Leave me a review.
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Comments? Questions?
What sort of truths have you discovered in your own writing?
What do you think of the adages "Writers are liars" and "Write what you know"?
Submit your own thoughts or questions on my contact page, or simply email me at hello [at] sarahwerner [dot] com. I can't wait to hear from you.
Subscribe to Write Now right now!
You can listen to the full podcast episode using the controls at the beginning of this post.
Or! You can listen and subscribe using your favorite app/website/podcatcher:

Help support this podcast! >>
The Write Now podcast on social media, too.
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The post Truth In Fiction – WN 020 appeared first on The Write Now Podcast with Sarah Werner.
26 min
July 29, 2015 7 Reasons You Need A Writing Mentor - WN 019
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Do you have a writing mentor? Find out why it's super-important to have one in Episode 019 of the Write Now podcast!
Every writer needs a mentor.
What are the benefits of having a writing mentor? How do you go about finding one? Is it possible you have one already? And how can you tell a good mentor from a bad one? SO MANY QUESTIONS! Good thing I have so many answers.
You are not alone.
I think that, in general, writing as seen as a fundamentally solitary, isolated, and alone process. We imagine writers sitting up late at night at a well-shadowed desk, sipping cognac by the fire, shut into an office or study, out for a lonely walk.
Maybe it's a man, maybe it's a woman. Heck, maybe it's this guy:
(Sorry, I couldn't resist. That pipe-chomping, suspender-wearing image of a writer really cracks me up.)
Point is, I don't think it's healthy for a writer to be perfectly 100% alone in their craft.
Good vs. bad mentors!
I share the story of how I met my current mentor, Melissa, and what a good mentor should be. I also talk a little bit about a mentorship with a different mentor (one that had been assigned to me) that did not turn out so well.
7 ways a mentor can help you in your writing:
A mentor has been there -- he or she knows what it takes, and can offer trustworthy advice.
You can trust a mentor to be honest and unbiased with you.
A mentor can help open doors that might otherwise be closed to you.
A mentor can act as a counselor, lifeline, or anchor during times of stress.
A mentor can be a great role model, especially in the social graces.
A good mentor will challenge you in ways you wouldn't challenge yourself.
Meeting with your mentor will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired -- and in love with writing again.
Really, nothing will get you fired up about writing like someone who is really fired up about writing. :)
Where can I find a mentor?
You can look for mentors pretty much anywhere. Here are some ideas:
An old teacher or professor
A member of your writer's group or book club
An editor of your acquaintance
A coworker who gets storytelling
A spiritual or religious leader
A writer you admire -- whether within your own circle of friends or a nationally recognized author
And, as a special bonus, from my own personal bias:
Six traits to look for in a mentor:
Your mentor should be someone you can trust.
Try to find someone you admire & respect, whose advice you'll look forward to following.
Make sure your mentor is someone who is willing to be honest with you.
Your mentor should be willing to take an interest & invest time in you.
While you want them to be invested in you, make sure they're not going to take over your life. (Forceful personalities can be forceful.)
You find yourself writing down the stuff they say so that you can reference it later.
What do I do when I think I've found someone to be my mentor?
Just ask them this question:
"Can I buy you a cup of coffee sometime?"
[Or some similar variation.]
This question has been the key to some truly great professional relationships and mentorships. Give it a try and let me know what happens!
The book of the week.
AAAAAAH! Speaking of work/life balance, I didn't have time to finish a book this week. BUT. Check back next week, and in the meantime, you can keep up-to-date with my book-related adventures on Goodreads.
Leave me a review.
Like the Write Now podcast? Help me to stay visible on iTunes when you write a review. I might even read your review on the air!
Get sweet emails from me.
Join the movement of people adding their names to my email list and add your name to my email list! >>
Comments? Questions?
34 min
July 20, 2015 Fail A Lot - WN 018
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Hey there, friends. In episode 018 of the Write Now podcast, I'm going to give you some advice that I'll bet you don't hear all that often:
Fail a lot.
As writers, why are we such perfectionists? Why do we expect perfection from ourselves? Shouldn't we understand better than anyone else that the human creature is inherently and beautifully flawed?
I know, I know. I'm guilty of this, too. But let's do something we writers tend to be not-super-great at and dive headfirst into REALITY and admit:
We are human.
We are not perfect.
And that is okay.
Go ahead and repeat that a couple times, whether out loud or simply to yourself. Because it's true, and it's true of everyone.
Especially if you're the type of person who protects yourself from failure -- and by doing so also prevents yourself from trying. And protects yourself from success.
Failure fun facts:
Failure is not rejection -- rejection is subjective feedback.
Failure is not the opposite of success -- failure is a step toward success.
Failure is not consequence -- before you stop yourself from failing at (a.k.a trying) something, it pays to find out what the consequences for that failure are, if any.
If anyone has been successful at anything, whether it's writing a book or painting a mural or learning to walk, it's because they failed a lot on the way there. The more you fail, the more you'll succeed.
In short, you have all the permission you need to fail a lot. Now go out and make it happen.
The book of the week.
The paranormal romance genre (often called PNR) has been gaining popularity over the past decade or two, recently exploding into the Twilight phenomenon.
But far before Edward began stalking Bella, Buffy romanced Angel and Spike, readers fell in love with Christine Feehan's dark side, and Elena Michaels was bitten.
I love PNR -- as long as it's well written. There are so many coattail-riders out there post-Twilight success that sometimes it can be hard to tell the good from the bad.
However, I picked up Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey with blissfully blind confidence.
Jacqueline Carey has long been one of my favorite writers. I first read her (in)famous Kushiel's Dart series in high school and found a whole new world of sexy political intrigue in a uniquely feminine high-fantasy setting. It was new and surprising and soaked in syrupy language while remaining imminently readable.
So when I saw that Ms. Carey had written a PNR series, I was ecstatic. How was she going to deviate from the norm this time? I wondered. I bought all the volumes I could find (which, at time of writing, is 3) and happily began to devour the first, Dark Currents.
Unfortunately, Ms. Carey's considerable skill wasn't enough to elevate this novel from what it was: a perfectly by-the-book (no pun intended) PNR standard. Love triangles, mythical beasts, sociopaths, and a murder mystery should make for an immensely compelling story. But unfortunately, we've seen it all before, and all too often.
Also, I'm still not super 100% sure what to make of the main character's tail.
Keep up-to-date with my reading exploits on Goodreads.
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Comments? Questions?
Do you permit yourself to fail?
Submit your own thoughts or questions on my contact page, or simply email me at hello [at] sarahwerner [dot] com.
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31 min
July 13, 2015 Your Professional vs Creative Self - WN 017
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Welcome to Episode 017 of the Write Now podcast, my lovelies. I am so glad you're here. Today we're going to talk about your work/life/writing balance.
Where are you putting your energy?
If you go out to iTunes and check out the Write Now podcast "about" info, you'll see it says:
"A weekly podcast for aspiring writers looking to find a healthy work/life/writing balance."
Sometimes, I feel like three separate selves trying to work together, instead of one self trying to find balance: my work self, my life self, and my creative writing self. And they don't always get along:
Work self: This is your professional side -- the one that is paid to meet & greet clients, counsel people over the phone, make sandwiches, pour concrete, teach math, serve lasagna, balance the company budget, and lead a team.
Life self: This is the "home" you -- the part of you that takes care of and hangs out with your family & friends, washes the dishes, binges on Star Trek: TNG reruns, volunteers at the animal shelter, and loves chili dogs.
Writing/creative/passion-project self: This is often your most personal or secret self -- the you that loves, desires, and needs to create. The you that stays up until 2:30 a.m. drinking coffee and hammering out the next chapter of your novel (or bemoaning your writer's block).
Think about how much energy you devote toward each of these three realms. (Not how much time you spend in each! Time and energy are different.) This can be per day, per week, per year -- however it makes sense to you.
My lineup:
Work = 70% of my energy
Life = 25% of my energy
Writing = 5% of my energy
Don't judge me too harshly, please. Next, I'd like you to think about what it would take for you to be balanced or more satisfied with how you're prioritizing your life. Please be aware that balance is different from equal. A healthy work/life/writing balance doesn't mean each one should get 33.33% of your energy.
It means that you need to determine what a satisfying, healthy balance would be for you, and be very intentional about living that out.
For me, that healthy, ideal balance would look like this:
Work: 30%
Life: 35%
Writing: 35%
What is your ideal balance? How does it differ from the balance you're juggling right now? And what can you do to balance out the energy you spend in each realm?
The book of the week.
This week, I gave in to my curiosity (no puns about cat-killing, now) and read what I had long viewed as a member of a weird fringe genre of literature -- cat mysteries.
The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun is the first in one such series (dubbed "The Cat Who..." mystery series).
I was a little disheartened that the cat (named Koko) was not the main character -- rather, he plays supporting actor to newspaper reporter Jim Qwilleran as the latter finds out who kills a local art critic.
Notably, The Cat Who Could Read Backwards was published in 1966, so there are no mobile phones in characters' pockets, no computers in the newsroom, all newspapers are printed on paper, etc.
And honestly, that just made this cozy mystery feel all the more cozy to me. There's just something about reading a paper book or newspaper by the fire with a cat curled up in your lap that's incredibly comforting. Despite, you know, all the murder that keeps happening.
This is a sweet-natured, cozy murder mystery that pokes fun at the pretentious nature of the art world while elevating the pretentious nature of cats. I liked it, much to my surprise. But I'm not incredibly sure it's worth your time.
Keep up-to-date with my reading exploits on Goodreads.
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31 min
July 06, 2015 How to Make Writing Fun Again - WN 016
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This is the sweet 16th episode of the Write Now podcast with yours truly.
Sometimes we lose that spark.
Remember when writing used to be fun? Or better yet, satisfying?
You can find that feeling again. It might just be a matter of letting go of some other stuff that matters less. It's about understanding what it is you love about writing.
Here are some simple questions you can ask yourself that will guide your mind back into a happy writing place.
Ask yourself...
What was it that made you fall in love with writing in the first place?
Reveling in the sheer number of possibilities?
Getting lost in a unique story that was all your own?
Playing out an imagined fantasy?
Sharing a message you were passionate about?
Next, ask: What changed?
Did someone kill your confidence and tell you your writing wasn't great?
Did you, for some reason, begin to feel ashamed of what you had written?
Did you lose yourself in trying too hard to be like another, more famous, writer?
Finally! What would it take for you to feel real joy and satisfaction in your writing again?
That's where happiness lies. I'll help you find it in this week's episode of Write Now.
The book of the week.
What first drew me to Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer, book 1 in the Southern Reach Trilogy, was a couple things:
That pretty, pretty cover
Rave reviews from two wonderful and well-read friends
Insinuations that it is similar to LOST
How could I resist?
It is so hard to do horror right, in my eyes. Despite being a genre that gets looked down upon by critics and the public alike, good horror is difficult. It's so easy to be cheap -- so easy to be gory and cruel, to follow a common trope to its logical conclusion.
It's hard to write something both truly awful and truly beautiful.
But that is what Jeff VanderMeer has done in Annihilation.
Four female scientists -- a biologist, anthropologist, psychologist, and surveyor -- are sent to investigate the mysterious "Area X", where 11 expeditions have gone before them and never returned -- or returned changed.
You know me and my affinity for the Weird, so be prepared. This book is certainly Weird, and it's not for everyone. A quick scan of fellow reader reviews on Goodreads suggests that people tend to either love or hate this book. If I were you, I'd take my chances regardless. The narrator is unreliable and the science questionable, but I think you'll appreciate VanderMeer's beautiful, speculative, and deeply insightful writing.
Keep up-to-date with my reading exploits on Goodreads.
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Comments? Questions?
I'm curious to know: What would it take for you to feel real joy and satisfaction in your writing again? Or how do you maintain your joy and satisfaction in your writing?
Submit your own question on my contact page, or simply email me at hello [at] sarahwerner [dot] com. I'll do my best to answer your question in an upcoming podcast episode.
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28 min
June 12, 2015 Why Is It So Important For Writers To Read? - WN 015
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Welcome to Episode 015 of the Write Now podcast. We're going to be talking about something I've wanted to talk about for a while. SO I HOPE YOU HAVE BEEN WANTING TO HEAR IT! (Hint: the topic is BOOKS, you guys!)
Why do writers need to read?
"Reading is essential if you're going to be a writer." You've heard it from teachers and fellow writers and books on writing. Heck, you've even heard it from me.
(And from Stephen King.)
But why? Why is it so essential for writers to read?
8 benefits of reading for writers:
Reading lets you understand what a reader wants -- and what you need to give your own readers.
Reading gives strong fundamentals in story structure and plot development.
Reading gives you a feel for and can expand your own ideas of stylistic items such as graceful narration, metaphor, transition, voice, and more.
Reading gives you both inspiration and drive to move forward in your own work.
Reading is a great way to get ideas!
Reading shows you what's already been done.
Reading lets you take advantage of lessons already learned by generations of smart writers.
And, via our good friend Stephen King's excellent book On Writing: "The real importance of reading is that it creates an ease and intimacy with the process of writing... Constant reading will pull you into a place... where you can write eagerly and without self-consciousness."
My point is, a writer who doesn't have time to read is like a musician who doesn't have time to listen to music, or a chef who doesn't have time to eat. The two activities are complementary and necessary if you're going to write well.
6 ways to fit reading into your busy schedule:
Starting with the most obvious!
Read in your favorite reading place during your free time -- whether that's out on the beach, in a cozy armchair by the fireplace, or in bed before falling asleep.
Read over lunch at your desk or in the break room. Wear headphones (whether or not they're playing music) as necessary.
Read while waiting -- at the doctor's office, in line at the DMV, while you're waiting for your daughter to emerge from school, on the toilet... wherever you can.
Read during your commute to work, if you happen to ride a train or bus, or travel via carpool (but not if you're driving, bicycling, or walking).
Read while you're exercising on a treadmill, elliptical, spinner, or another piece of equipment that doesn't need you to, you know, keep an eye on anything.
Read EVERYWHERE ELSE (while jogging, gardening, vacuuming, driving, attending a boring party, etc.) with the magic of audiobooks!
Bonus:
I coin the phrase "predilection for fiction" in this episode. You're welcome.
The book of the week.
It must be Stephen King week in my brain or something.
YOU GUYS. I read Bag of Bones and I was really glad I did. And not just because it was gripping and compelling, etc., but because it's about a writer and the struggles all writers face.
It's also about ghosts and lucid dreams and a truly disturbing custody battle.
I won't give any spoilers here -- part of the pleasure of reading this book, of course, is all the twists and turns it takes as it unfolds. But I think you will enjoy the exploration of grief and what it means to be haunted -- not only by literal ghosts, but by memories and hidden histories and resounding echoes of lost talents.
Keep up-to-date with my reading exploits on Goodreads. Hooray!
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Feel free at any time to submit a question on my contact page, or email me at hello [at] sarahwerner [dot] com. I might even answer it! ;)
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36 min
June 06, 2015 Creating A Space For Writing - WN 014
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YOU GUYS it has been a while. But I am back, and the foam on my delicious cappuccino is as fluffy and delightful as the suds in an angel's bathtub. (Is that weird? Maybe that's weird. But it's TRUE.) Anyway, I'm glad you're here.
Where do you write?
It surprises me sometimes -- where I am able and where I am unable to write. Can you write anywhere? Or do you have certain objects, snacks, or environmental enhancements (whatever that means) that you need to be able to write?
The conditions can never really be perfect, I've found. BUT. If they could be perfect...
Sarah's perfect writing environment:
Large flat wooden desk for handwriting, brainstorming, and doodling.
Plenty of paper, pens, and pencils to alleviate scarcity anxiety.
Plants. Plants everywhere.
Comfortable upright chair (too comfortable or slouchy and I will fall asleep).
A window.
Perfect silence -- or, if that's not realistic, lyric-less music to drown out sound.
A soft rain or snow.
Coffee-accessible.
My own personal office incorporates these elements as much as possible, and adds in:
Pale yellow walls for creative energy.
Inspirational imagery and interesting knicknacks.
Computer for typing.
Books for research, inspiration, and periodic breaks.
Piano.
Two cats who don't always get along.
Impressive and/or shocking supply of M&Ms.
My point is that we curate these spaces -- we take them very seriously. Many famous writers, such as Jane Austen and Roald Dahl, do (or did, during their lifetimes).
And yet I've done some great writing in the most unexpected places.
Does the environment shape the work or does the writer shape the environment?
What about your writing environment inspires you? Or what about your writing has inspired the environment? Do we change as we write? Does writing change us? I have so many questions, you guys.
But the question I'm most interested in is: What is your perfect writing environment? And is that where you do your best writing?
The book of the week.
I wandered back into YA fantasy territory with this week's book of the week: Graceling, by Kristin Cashore.
It's about a teenage girl with a keen talent for killing in a world where the Graced (those with superpowers) and the un-Graced (those without) must coexist.
There are some similarities here with The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (including heroines Katniss and Katsa, a bond with a younger girl, themes of survival and rebellion against a corrupt government, and more) -- and in fact both books were published in the same year.
But this book is strong enough to not feel like a derivative from its popular companion with a great love story (better than The Hunger Games'), compelling narrative, and unique fantasy world.
My only complaint about the book was that, once the romantic tension was resolved (about 3/4 of the way through), there wasn't a whole lot left to keep me interested.
Now, this isn't because the plot wasn't interesting -- but because Cashore is really good at writing interesting characters, and I was disappointed when there was no witty banter and romantic tension left. Katsa and Po are lively and smart and their relationship is a joy to read about.
I even loved that the hero's name is the somewhat dumpy-sounding "Po" -- it flies in the face of the contemporarily sexy and dominantly alpha-sounding Edward and Jace and Christian.
And -- for a final bonus -- THERE IS NO LOVE TRIANGLE. REJOICE!!!
So if you're in to YA fantasy, or a die-hard fan of The Hunger Games, it's worth giving Graceling a try.
Keep up-to-date with my reading exploits on Goodreads. Hooray!
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33 min
May 19, 2015 7 Ways to Write Yourself Out of a Corner - WN 013
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Oooh. Lucky episode 013. Or unlucky, if you suffer from triskaidekaphobia. And I hope you don't, because I think you'll enjoy this episode.
Help! I've written myself into a corner!
We've all been there. That point where you realize a scene's just not working. Or where you realize that your character's motivations don't match the action you need him or her to take. Or where you realize your outline sucks, or that you've been writing an extended idea and not a story.
You've written yourself into a corner and you have no idea how to fix it. Well, I don't want you to be in the corner. The corner sucks.
Here are seven ways to get out of that corner.
Go back and your novel and search for the last place you didn't feel lost. This will help you find the "wrong turn" you took, or the mistake you made -- wherever things went wrong. Delete everything after that point (or, less drastically, copy-paste that chunk of text into a new file called "Leftovers"). Stephen King calls this "killing your darlings." And I know, it hurts. But sometimes you need to cut off the hand to save the arm.
Throw a weird twist in there and see what happens. This means that you must give up your iron control over the plot -- you must stop caring for just a moment and be willing to see what happens. You can do this after having completed method #1 above, or all on its own.
Realize it's OK to deviate from your outline. Sometimes we get into a place where our own ideas (or adherence to what we think is best) can limit us. Crumple up your outline (or tuck it neatly away into your "Leftovers" folder) and free yourself to imagine a new route.
Re-examine who your characters are and determine what they would do leading up to a given situation -- not what you want them to do. Put yourself into your characters' shoes, flip on the empathy switch, and be willing to let your characters surprise you.
Sleep on it. You might just be frustrated and burned out. If you are stuck, either take a nap or go to bed and let your mind heal itself. Just make sure you start again the next day -- otherwise, this is known as quitting. I don't want you to quit.
Meditate. Turn off your computer and give yourself the time and the space to think. Writing isn't all active production -- sometimes we just need to sit and reflect and know it's okay to sit and reflect. Go for a walk. Take a shower. Doodle as you watch the pigeons strut along your window ledge. Have some tea. Clear your mind and see what happens.
Ask for help. I KNOW. I am really bad at this, too. But sometimes it can really help to have someone you trust take a look at what you've written and offer suggestions or insights. Do not ask this person or these people to solve your problem for you -- only you can do that. But they can help point out weak and strong points within your writing and give you a fresh outlook or a new idea you hadn't considered.
The trick to all of this is that you cannot be unwilling to change. Only when you give up your complete control over this messy, organic work will it begin to work for you.
The book of the week.
This week, I read The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey.
Without spoiling it for you, I can tell you that it's about a little girl who lives in a facility where she is treated very poorly -- and then you find out why.
This book is very intense and extremely gory, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone with a weak stomach. But if you're looking to dip your toes into the horror genre, or if you're a horror fan looking for a literarily complex new work, please check this one out.
With a compelling heroine, complex characters, a bone-deep humanity, and heartbreaking twists, The Girl With All The Gifts was a fast-paced horror/mystery/survival drama and all around pleasure to read.
Keep up-to-date with my reading exploits on Goodreads.
35 min
May 05, 2015 My 8 Favorite Writing Tools – WN 012
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In this week's episode of the "Write Now" podcast, I talk about caffeine addiction, my obsession with Bic 0.7mm #2 mechanical pencils, an intense personal dislike of sports, the ubiquitous egg timer, and (bonus!) Jane Austen's homemade ink recipe.
Buckle up, because this is going to be ONE WILD RIDE.
What are the tools of the writer's craft?
Sculptors use a hammer and chisel. Knitters use needles. Writers use... what? A word processing program on a laptop? A composition notebook and pencil? A vintage Lillian Rose typewriter from 1945?
My point here is that YOU COULD LITERALLY USE ANYTHING to write. Soggy Alpha-Bits floating in milk. Chalk. Blood and bones.
But every writer has his or her preference -- and not only regarding what they use to create their art, but what they use to get inspired, stay focused, and get published. John Steinbeck used only one specific type of pencil. Jennifer Crusie uses a program called Scrivener. You'll hear more about all of that in today's episode.
My eight favorite writing tools, you guys.
And bonus -- they're all free, or at least incredibly cheap!
OmmWriter: OmmWriter is a beautiful, minimalist writing program that enhances your focus and removes distractions. It's about $5 and up for either Mac or PC.
Pencil & paper: I prefer Bic 0.7mm #2 mechanical pencils (they're SUPER cheap) and yellow college-rule legal pads.
Idea book / reminder app: I use a more affordable knockoff version of the Moleskine ruled cashier journal. They're unobtrusive and fit perfectly into pockets and purses.
Coffee: Oh you guys do I ever love coffee. (Not free, sadly.)
Timer: I simply use the timer app on my phone. Otherwise, a kitchen timer, stopwatch, or online timer will do.
Pinterest: Free! Might want to use your timer in conjunction with Pinterest to ensure you don't waste all of your lovely writing time.
Sound: Be it music, silence, or a tool such as Rainymood (free website) or Noisli (app & free website).
Dropbox: Don't lose your novel to a faulty hard drive or fried motherboard. Save it to the cloud using Dropbox and access it from any electronic device. The basic version is free.
Please note that I'm not getting paid to shill any of the above products -- rather, I'm telling you about them because I use them myself.
The book of the week.
Another home run this week! (AAA! Sports metaphor!)
I'd never read Isaac Asimov before (he's the guy who wrote I, Robot and all sorts of other formative sci-fi), and I figured it was about time.
Written in 1954, The Caves of Steel is a sci-fi murder mystery that stars a cop and his robot partner. It sounds cheesy, but OMG SERIOUSLY it is amazing.
The twist is that robots are slowly replacing humans in the workforce, and if this cop wants to keep his job, he'll have to solve the murder before his robot counterpart.
I expected this book to be dry and dull and dated, but it remains immensely readable, with natural language, masterful storytelling, and social messages that are still relevant today -- if not more so.
It's the mark of great sci-fi and I can't wait to read more of Asimov's books.
Keep up-to-date with my reading exploits on Goodreads.
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Questions?
I might have answers. I encourage you to submit a question on my contact page, or email me at hello [at] sarahwerner [dot] com. I can't wait to hear from you. :)
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38 min

About Write Now with Sarah Werner

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A podcast for all writers (aspiring to professional) looking to find a healthy work/life/writing balance. Get the encouragement, honest advice, and inspiration you need to pursue your passion and…