My Writing Routines: A Guest Blog by Barb DeLong

When Kitty first asked me to contribute my routines for writing, I thought, well, I don’t really have any.  I’ve too frequently been a write-when-I-feel-like-it type.  That way of thinking isn’t getting my book(s) done.  So I sat down and analyzed what it is that makes me “feel” like it.  I thought back on all the stories I’ve started and stopped -  the plot outlines, rough drafts,  story germs, character studies and synopses.  I have plastic tubs and file folders full of unfinished projects.

But, I have one completely finished novel that I submitted to publishers.  What made me keep going with that story through many rewrites?  How did I manage to bake that cake when so many others didn’t make it to the oven, much less past “add the flour?”

Passion.  I loved that story.  It kept me awake at night and distracted me during the day.   I loved my characters, human and animal.

Plot.  I had a good handle on the plot.  I was the Queen of Outlines.  I wrote detailed chapter and scene outlines.  I knew my characters.  When I sat down at the computer, I didn’t have writer’s block (most of the time ).  I am no pantser.

Pressure.  By that I mean goals – I was trying for three P’s.  I set many goals, from contest deadlines to critique group deadlines. Deadlines forced me to prioritize, to make time for my writing.  I work best under pressure, I’ve found.

The other accouterments, like music or nature sounds, cups of English tea, research papers, cluttered desk, comfy pillow, all feather my writing nest.

I had an aha moment just now.  I have pinpointed what is stopping me from putting my butt in the chair every day to pound away at my current WIP.  I love the story, so, passion – check.  Comfy nest – check.  Pressure – on-line critique class, check.

Plot!  I don’t have my detailed chapter and scene outlines done.  I have a hole in the middle of my book that has been driving me crazy.

Okay, sorry.  Gotta go.  Today is day one of my on-line class.  I need scene outlines.  I need to produce pages.  Pressure, pressure.  I love it!

Barb DeLong has been writing one thing or another since she learned to print. When she was 12, she won her first writing contest – Toronto’s “I love my daddy because” contest – 25 words or less.  Since then it’s been yearbook articles, non-fiction how-to’s, children’s stories, newsletter articles, technical aerospace papers.  She picked up romance writing again in 1993 and joined the Orange County Chapter of RWA. She received her RWA Pro pin a few years ago and has been trying ever since to complete another book.