Refections On Writing
Writing with an outline or no outline?
I have done both and I have decided that I need to write with an outline. I have tried working without one and I have found that when I don't know what will happen, I loose interest. The best thing to do then is to step back and plot it out from beginning to end. The characters then take over and the words begin to flow.
Freelance writing or novels?
Years ago, I joined an on-line writers group and most of the people within the group discussed working freelance. I was not all that interested in this myself, but saw it as a way of 'getting my foot in the door' so to speak. Since then I have thought of freelancing on and off, but when it comes down to it, it's not really me. I have always wanted to write books, either fiction or non-fiction. I would still like to write some freelance, but I would prefer to have the time to write where my heart is and that is with novels.
What was the first story you ever wrote?
The first story I remember having written was one I had to do for school. I think I was about nine or ten and the story was about a slater of all things. I remember he ended up getting killed by somebody stepping on him!
What do you really want to write about?
At first I couldn't work out if my stories were horror or suspense. I guess it could be a bit of both of these as I enjoy reading both these genres. I have always enjoyed a good mystery and therefore I read many crime novels. To me a good book is a page turner that I refuse to put down until I've finished. That doesn't happen too often! I also wouldn't mind trying my hand at writing some romance novels (though not pure romance) and some non-fiction.
Why do you procrastinate?
I procrastinate with writing as a I have a great fear of failure. Believing I have always wanted to write, and telling people that, I would hate to think that all the work I had put in would be for nothing. There's nothing worse than dreading doing some writing when I don't enjoy what I'm writing about. I either lose interest in what I've started, or I don't know where my story is going. This is where outlines come in handy.
