Insights Into My Writing Process and Famous Authors
My Writing Process
Good writing is beautiful and rhythmic, like music.
While editing a piece of writing I had been working on, I thought, Oh my goodness, is that a good sentence.
Writing can be pleasurable; however, the revision process is even more satisfying because that’s when I perfect my writing, or at least try. Though I must admit, my next sentence did not work so well, and I continued revising.
Writing takes time, effort, and passion.
Having given you a glimpse into my writing process, let’s now take a look at the writing process of famous authors.
Famous Authors’ Writing Process
J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling writes almost daily, ten or eleven hours on some days and about three hours on others, depending on how quickly ideas come to her.
The writing process shouldn’t feel like a chore, she says. Rowling writes what she finds interesting, not to please others, because she believes that doing so limits the flow of ideas and creativity.
Harlan Ellison
People look at writing as if it’s magical, states Harlan Ellison, like “going up in the attic at midnight and casting the bones and coming down in the morning with a story.” To Ellison, the writing process involves sitting behind a typewriter and working.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain was aggressive about precision, crossing out words and making sure they matched those he had in mind. He made it clear that there is a difference in the meaning of words and how you use them.
Twain also preferred plain, conversational writing and used short words and sentences.
Ray Bradbury
According to Ray Bradbury, one must be dedicated to one's writing or deeply engaged in it.
Bradbury didn’t perceive writing as a serious business. He wrote with zest and found joy in the writing process. Bradbury tells authors to write what they love, not for the money, because that type of writing wouldn’t be worth reading.
Above Bradbury’s typewriter hung a sign that read, “Don’t Think.” Bradbury believed the first thought was the best and most honest, and “you must never think at the typewriter---you must feel.”
As we saw, each author has their own writing process. I will reflect on them below.
Reflections
Rowling’s comments resonate with me because I make it a habit to write every day, even if it’s just for a short time. And, I also write what I find fascinating. If not, I wouldn’t be doing it.
In addition, writing isn’t something to be forced upon. I’ve tried writing for long periods to meet a certain goal, but that didn't work for me. Yet, I’ve worked long hours on a piece and didn’t mind it because it felt natural.
I do agree with Ellison in that you have to work on your writing. However, writing is magical. Though it may not involve going up into the attic and casting bones, writing is mysterious at times when you don’t know where the ideas come from, or when writing takes you to unexpected places.
Mark Twain’s statement is spot on: words must be precise. One word can change the entire meaning of a sentence; however, dwelling too much on the mechanical usage of a word will interfere with one’s writing and or passion.
I can also relate to Bradbury.
Writing requires effort, intense discipline, and focus. There’s no way around that. However, Bradbury enjoys the craft, which I find is helpful.
Now that you have insights into my writing process and those of famous authors, please share some of your own with me. I’d love to hear from you.
And, finally, I want to ask you to reflect on the following:
Do you think the writing process is boring or exciting for most people, including authors? Why or why not?
Thanks for reading,
Elvira