When Writing Flows (Or Doesn’t!) by Phaedra Patrick

Before I got a publishing deal for my novels, I had an image in my head of what writers did all day and how they looked. They wore a satin robe, drank copious amounts of wine and often smoked long slim cigarettes. They lived in their heads, in a kind of serene wonderland where magical things happened, which they then translated onto a blank page. No-one was allowed to disturb them while they were creating. Ever.

Now I’m a full-time writer, I can confirm this last part is often true (in my case anyway).  When my ideas are flowing for my books, it’s a wonderful thing. The sight of words dancing onto a computer screen can give a sense of satisfaction like no other. The best times for me to write are early in the morning before the rest of the world wakes up, and late at night when my brain is starting to wind down. Ideas pop like bubbles around me, and I jot them down in the notebook at the side of my bed. 

But writing isn’t always like that and anyone reading this, who writes or who wants to write, should be assured that sometimes it’s like climbing Mount Everest, in a blizzard, wearing a bikini. So, whether you’re stuck in the middle of a piece of work, or struggling to find your first sentence, here are a few bits of knowledge I’ve gathered on my author journey.

• Inspiration is all around you

Take time to open your eyes and think about what makes you happy. If you’re going to write, a good place to start is with something or someone that interests you. Think about what do you like doing. Who do you most admire? What made you laugh this week? What activity have you always wanted to do? What five objects are most special to you? Which news article has upset you? What causes are you passionate about? What subject have you always wanted to know more about? Which celebrities do you like and why? If you answer these questions, and some of your own, you’ll have a small list of things that bring you joy. It’s a great way to spark ideas and get your words flowing.

• Gather your thoughts

Nothing is more uninspiring than staring at a blank computer screen, right? So, don’t sit looking at one hoping that ideas will spring forth because they probably won’t. If you carry a notebook with you everywhere, you can jot things down when inspiration or ideas strike. If you forget your pad, then use a sticky note or back of an envelope. When you do eventually switch your computer on, you’ll have a nice pile of stuff to work from.

• Don’t beat yourself up

Nothing sucks more than trying to force out words when they won’t come. You’ll only end up grumpy and tired. So, be kind to yourself. Give yourself permission to go out shopping, walk your dog, or eat chocolate. A bit of fresh air, looking at lovely things, and laughing at animals will make you feel better and maybe, just maybe, you’ll feel more productive and creative too.

• Polish what you’ve got

If your words aren’t flourishing, look at what you already have and spend time editing them. Are they as good as they can possibly be? Can you add a little bit more emotion, character depth, or drama? This not only makes your work better, it also gets you writing. New stuff often grows from there.

• Ignore the voices in your head

If we think too much, it can open a door for doubts and voices in our heads to slip through. I think most of us hear them. Perhaps they say, ‘You won’t be able to do it,’ or ‘There’s no point in trying.’ My personal demon is fond of saying, ‘This is rubbish.’ When those confidence killers kick in, we listen to them because they speak in our own voice. Giving them a different one (Mickey Mouse works for me, or perhaps a parrot) makes it easier to tell them to shut up. Next time you’re getting all self-critical, give it a go.

Last year, I wrote two short stories for magazines in the UK. For one of them, the words tumbled out and left me with a warm glow and a smile on my face. The other one was like pulling my own teeth out with pliers. I think the difference was I really wanted to write the first one, but the second wasn’t a story that inspired me. I learned a lesson and now try to produce work that Iifts my spirits rather than dampens them. 

And, if you’re wondering if my writing blossomed when I wrote this piece – yes it did. Because it gives me joy to help and encourage other women writers. I hope this piece helps your own words to flow too.

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Phaedra Patrick’s latest novel The Secrets of Love Story Bridge is out now in the US and Canada (published by Park Row). Its title in the UK is The Secrets of Sunshine (publisher HQ). Follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For more about Phaedra and her books, visit www.phaedra-patrick.com

The Secrets of Love Story Bridge

A single father gets an unexpected second chance at love in the heartwarming new novel from the author of The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper

It’s summer in the city and passions are soaring along with the temperature—for everyone but Mitchell Fisher, who hates all things romance. He relishes his job cutting off the padlocks that couples fasten to the famous “love story” bridge. Only his young daughter, Poppy, knows that behind his prickly veneer, Mitchell still grieves the loss of her mother.

Then one hot day, everything changes when Mitchell courageously rescues a woman who falls from the bridge into the river. He’s surprised to feel an unexpected connection to her, but she disappears before he can ask her name. Desperate to find out her identity, Mitchell is shocked to learn she’s been missing for almost a year. He teams up with her spirited sister, Liza, on a quest to find her again. However, she’s left only one clue behind—a message on the padlock she hung on the bridge.

Brimming with Phaedra Patrick’s signature charm and a sparkling cast of characters, The Secrets of Love Story Bridge follows one man’s journey to unlock his heart and discover new beginnings in the unlikeliest places.

BUY THE BOOK HERE 

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, On Writing