The #Writing Ritual Tag (FD)

A couple of weeks ago, I saw this post on Rachel Poli's blog, and thought the writing ritual tag looked fun. So, I'm joining in. I'm not tagging anyone though, so just join in if you feel like it, and - as Rachel says in her post - leave me a link in the comments section if you do, that way I can check out your post... I'd really love to be able to read your answers if you play along.

Of course, with my lack of routine, my writing habits do change a bit from time to time, so this is just how things stand at the moment, or what the answer generally is. Anyway...

1. When do you write? (time of day, day of week)

I try to write every day, whether it be just a few words, or several pages. As for when... Well, that depends on what my sleep schedule is like at the time, what else is going on, and when the furkids - especially our little Westie pup, Lilie, who can be quite demanding - will allow me to do so. At the time I'm writing this post it seems to mostly be late morning or early afternoon, but that could change at any time.

2. How do you seclude yourself from the outside world?

I don't really. But since I don't socialize much, it's mostly just family - furry and otherwise - or the postman who could potentially disturb me most days anyhow. Actually, if I'm honest, it's mostly Lilie, who thinks regular puppy playtime breaks are essential, and doesn't understand my desire to have longer gaps between said breaks.

3. How do you review what you wrote the previous day?

I technically don't. I usually only read the last paragraph or two, just to be sure of where I left off, which isn't really reviewing what I wrote the day before. At least, I don't think it is. I don't review the whole thing until I'm doing the next draft, unless it's been a very long time since I worked on the project in question, which I'm assuming wouldn't be the case if I worked on it the previous day.

4. What song is your go-to when you’re feeling uninspired?

I can't say I have one. There are songs that speak to me, but I wouldn't say I listen to a spacific song when I'm feeling uninspired. Actually, I've not been listening to much music in general lately. When I do listen to music though, it's usually either country music, pop/rock (the lighter side of rock) or - if I'm in the right mood for it - a piece of classical music.

5. What do you always do (i.e. listen to music, read, watch youtube, etc.) when you find yourself struggling with writer’s block?

I'll either go work on another writing project, take a furkid play break, or go do something like read or watch TV and try again tomorrow. Either that, or I'll decide it's probably that I'm tired, in which case I'll take a nap.

6. What tools do you use when you’re writing?

Microsoft Word to do the actual writing, and JAWS to know what I'm writing (JAWS being my screen reader, without which my computer would just be a box with buttons and wires to me, since I wouldn't be able to tell what was on the screen).

7. What’s the one thing you can’t live without during a writing session?

I'm not sure there's anything. As long as I have a way to write, and a way to read what I just wrote if I want/need to, I'm good to go. I do like to have a drink to hand while I write, but I could write without one if I needed to, so I wouldn't say that counts.

8. How do you fuel yourself during your writing session?

As mentioned above, I usually have a drink on hand, be it tea, pop/soda, or juice - sometimes both a hot drink and a cold one. Snacks vary though. Sometimes I have them on hand, sometimes I don't, depending on if I fancy something. If I do have snacks, it would be either cookies/biscuits, crisps/potato chips, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, or some combination of those things.

9. How do you know when you’re done writing?

With stories, I know when I'm done because the story feels like it's finished. I don't worry about word count or anything like that while writing. I just write, and stop when it feels done.

It's basically the same with poetry, except I get to that point where it feels done much quicker.