How to Learn What Kind of Writer You Are

Writing doesn’t have to be a solo activity. In fact, creativity and productivity are often stimulated by writing with company. Today, participant Randi Oomens shares why it’s vital to learn the type of writer you are… and how she’s tackling it:

On a NaNoWriMo webcast in 2014, author Scott Westerfeld gave my favorite advice: you need to learn what kind of writer you are. I took that to heart, and began practicing at different times of day with varying routines in preparation to attempt my first NaNoWriMo in 2015. My goal was to win, so I needed to know what kind of writer I was.

I discovered that I’m productive when my schedule is regimented, which was no surprise since I was once called, “the most regimented non-military person” a friend knew. After tinkering with an outline, I am now also quite the plantser—shocker.

I met my local Wrimos a week before November 1, and while I had fun and felt among my people, I was relieved to get home and out of my “in public” clothing (something tells me many of you will relate to that). The group had already planned write-ins at places with Wi-Fi and outlets, and I read the invitations on Facebook and contemplated going… but then I thought of how productive I was at home with my strict schedule.

“Celebrating all the wins from the comfort of my couch… was like living the dream!”

Instead, while browsing the NaNoWriMo account on Twitter, I found my people. They were looking for sprinting partners, asking questions about plot and character, and sending out encouragement. I attended Virtual Write-Ins announced by the NaNoWriMo account, and I had so much fun with those that I couldn’t wait until the next one. Celebrating all the wins from the comfort of my couch, with my animals, coffee, and pajama pants towards the end of November was like living the dream!

The work I did on the novel has not seen the light of day. I used it, and NaNoWriMo, to practice the craft I study so closely. It taught me what kind of writer I am, and the work I’ve done since has improved. I have a few beta readers, their feedback invaluable. My best beta reader has a critical eye and we have similar tastes in books. He knows me well and doesn’t hesitate  to point out what doesn’t work, or isn’t clear.

An online writing group of trusted friends works for me because it fits my lifestyle. Learning what kind of writer I am, and what kind of community I need, has been instrumental in helping my creativity grow.

Randi Oomens lives in Arizona, where she listens to audio books, teaches herself everything she can about the craft of writing, and argues with the characters in her head. She enjoys  podcasts, baseball broadcasts and looking for story ideas in everything she hears. She has contributed to the Disability in Kidlit blog and can be found wasting time on Twitter.

Top photo by Flickr user schatz.