The Individual Nature of Writing.

I believe it was Kingsley Amis who said " The art of writing is the art of applying the seat of one's trousers to the seat of one's chair."

Being a typical Gemini, not only do I love writing as a means of expression, but I also have an unquenchable thirst for advice on writing. All Gemini's love to get lots of advice before making a decision on anything, or so I am told!

The more advice I read, however, the more choices I have. There is fantastic advice out there about writing and enough of it to keep you in reading for the rest of your life.
The key to advice though, is not only to be selective, but to do what works for you.

I have learnt this the hard way. One writer I admire greatly, recommended getting up at dawn every day to write. I was so keen on this author that I followed this advice. Only to find after a week that I was so tired I couldn't see straight and I felt like never writing again!

Learning about your own strengths and weaknesses about, not only how to write, but when to write, can save you a lot of wasted time. Writing in bed with a bottle of wine might work for some, but if like me, wine makes you a bit drowsy after a couple of glasses, it isn't going to work. I would most likely end up with wine all over me and my words. Not great.

I have also learnt that everyone has to find their own discipline. I have spent far too long beating myself up about not writing enough. I now find instead, that I am much more productive if I begin by praising myself for trying and follow Mr Amis's advice above. That usually starts me off and before I know it, a few hours have gone past in writing heaven.

I am currently working my way through Louise Doughty's book " A Novel in a Year." She writes a very interesting column for the Daily Telegraph and with an exercise once a fortnight, I don't feel that I am putting myself under too much stress and what is more, dang and blast if it isn't enjoyable! Her opinions can be read at www.telegraph.co.uk/novelinayear

Whilst she doesn't suggest for one minute that you will have written a novel in a year, the chapters are broken down into 52, one for each week. Her aim is that by the end of the year you should definitely have the bones of your book done. That structure works for me. If I get through two weeks in one, I can give myself extra pats on the back! Works for me.
I hope you have all found or are all in the process of finding what works for you!