Write on Wednesday – A writer’s meme

This week Becca provided a writer’s meme: one that shows up all your shortcomings and some more… This week, again, I spent more time keeping on top of my work than I did on writing, far more, a hundred percent more in fact.   I did not do any creative writing at all.  But I wrote reams of paper (on the computer), parts of reports, project proposals, e-mails, etc. Some of it is creative, but in a different way. To relax, I read and then fall asleep – part of the week was spent in hotel rooms.  My novel is far away in realms of dreams. Short stories? I have not got the energy. I console myself that some time, in the not to distance future, I will find the time again. It’s no good beating yourself over the head about something you can do little about: either I stop working altogether or I carry on with all the consequences. So here we go, Becca. I will have a go at your questions and ponder my shortcomings as a writer!

What’s your favourite genre? Mmmm, I don’t write genre as such I think. But I like biographies, short stories, and I use autobiographical material – but then, which writer doesn’t?

How often do you get writer’s block? Well, I’m not sure whether not finding the time to write is part of writer’s block? If so, I am a permanent sufferer!

How do you fix it? Well, taking the odd holiday from work, deciding on a Sunday morning or some other time that I’m going to spend writing. However, even that becomes more and more of a dream. At the same time, let’s not pretend that I hate my work: I don’t actually. I quite enjoy the research and the writing up of what I’ve found out – at least some of it. What I don’t like, is that it is all so relentless – one project finished and already there are three others in my intray.

Do you type or write by hand? Both – depends on where I am, whether or not I’ve got my laptop with me – I actually like writing in my notebook, at least jotting down notes.

Do you save everything you write? I keep my notebooks, but half the time I cannot remember what I wrote in which notebook… So it’s better to type it up and save it on a file on my laptop – usually I can find it back.

Do you ever get back to an old idea long after you abandoned it? Oh yes, but these ideas then seem to change, undergo a transformation.

Do you have a constructive critic? Yes. 

Did you ever write a novel? Never completed one….. (that probably says enough).

What genre would you love to write but haven’t? Science fiction

What’s one genre that you have never written and probably never will? Crime writing.

How many writing projects are you working on right now? Two

Do you write for a living? No (unless you consider my non-fiction day job ‘writing for a living’: as I said, I do write huge reports and it’s part of my job).

Do you want to? I’d love to be a fiction writer, YES!

Have you ever written something for a magazine or newspaper? Only non-fiction.

Have you ever won an award for your writing? No, unless you include a commendation for ‘thoughtful and considerate writing’ for my MA to be an award???

What are your five favourite words? I need to think about that! And then, when I’ve decided, I come across others that seem even better.  Isn’t language a wonderful thing? 

Do you ever write based on your dreams? I think I know what that means, and yes, I have written short stories based on dreams.

Do you favour happy endings, sad endings, or cliff-hangers? Depends

Have you ever written based on an artwork you’ve seen? No, unless you consider having been influenced by paintings or by music as an acceptable positive response to this question!

Well, Becca, even if it’s already Friday night I’ve done it. Answered all you questions. Too tired now to go off and do some real writing. This was nice fun though and got me nicely relaxed after a ten-hour day! Hope you enjoyed your trip!

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