Reading. Writing. Not So Much 'Rithmetic

The post yesterday got me thinking about how other people formulate thoughts and write. When I'm writing, one thought leads to another, and another, and another. In my head, they all seem to tie into my central idea. But do they?

The ideas in my mind are like tendrils curling around a lattice. Some meander and don't quite make it to the lattice, and some hold fast to it. Are the tendrils that don't make it back to the lattice superfluous? Well, let's be honest. My whole blog is superfluous, so maybe I asked the wrong question.

When looking for photos to add to my post, I found a website that will teach you “how to mindmap”. Here I go sounding curmudgeonly and stodgy, but way back in the 1980's, we learned to mindmap in ELA. In yesteryear we called it “brainstorming”, and we did it while taking creative writing in English. If we had an idea, we would essentially do word/thought association until we had a direction. Sometimes the teacher would make us do an outline if we were writing something with a lot of detail. My outlines were never any good. mostly because I let the story tell itself. Half the time, my outlines weren't accurate because the finished product ended up so far from where I thought it was going.

I thought I would do something different today. I am asking you questions, and I'll also answer the same questions. My questions to you today are: What is your process for writing? Do you have one? Have you read any books that helped you write better? Has any author influenced your writing? They say prolific writers are prolific readers. Do you read a lot? Do you get ideas from random things?

I don't necessarily have a process for writing, but I sort of have little rituals. I prefer to have coffee nearby, even if I don't drink it. After (I think) I've finished something, I will do something else for a bit. I might water the plants, throw in a load of laundry, or do the dishes. Sometimes I think of things to add, or a better way to convey what I mean. Sometimes, it just clears my head so I can do a little editing. Yes, I actually edit. You might be surprised at what I don't say.

I've read books and articles through the years about writing. The commonality is that they say “write”. If you have an idea, write, If you enjoy writing, write. Just write.

I read in fits and starts. I may read several books in a row, then nothing for a while. I have a few books waiting for me right now, including a couple I started and didn't get back to. I would love to say I read all genres, but I honestly don't. I have a few authors I return to, like old friends; Stephen King, Charles Dickens, and Clive Barker. I wouldn't say any of them influenced my style of writing, though. I do read other things, too, but these few are my favorite jeans of authors.

If you've ever read my blog, you know I get ideas from random things. Essentially, every encounter with anything is raw material for me. I do try to be mindful of other people's privacy, though. You will see me use the phrase “not my story to tell”. I might be an open book, willing to share so much with the world, but I know not everyone feels that way.