Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all… About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.
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How often do you write?
I write every day whether I need to or not. I need the outlet for all of the voices in my head, which sounds scary now that I see it in print. If I don’t write, all of that excess creativity builds up inside me and my life goes haywire. I think creative people need to “feed” and nurture their art. A writing professor once told me that he thought criminals turned to crime and violence because they didn’t have an outlet for their creativity. I’m not so sure that’s true, but I understand the concept. Writing is not an option for me, it’s something I have to do. Even if I never published another word, I would never stop writing.
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Do you think it’s important to your craft to write as much as you can, and as often as you can?
I think that like any skill, you have to practice to improve. The more you practice the better your skill. Someone once called it training your “writing muscles”. I started jogging about a month ago after a lifelong vow that I would never run unless someone was chasing me. At first I could only jog about 20 feet, but I kept at it, increasing the time and distance every day. Now, a month later, I’m up to a mile. The same concept applies to writing, in my opinion. The more you use that “muscle”, the stronger and more flexible it will become.
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What is your opinion on the saying “if you don’t write every day, you’re not a writer”?
I think that a true writer will write every day (or as often as they can) because they must, even if it’s only a few hundred words. A true writer works to hone their craft, spends time and effort to perfect their skill, and has a vested interest in expressing themselves through words. I once told a friend that I was an aspiring writer. She replied, “Jeana, I think you already are a writer.” Even though I had nothing published, I spent every waking moment writing or learning about writing. That was a turning point for me and the day that I considered myself a writer.
That’s it for this week. I hope you enjoyed these interesting questions. Please continue on to the next stop on our hop to J.J. Devine. And while you’re at her site, be sure to check out her latest release, Into the Darkness.
Kim Handysides
Wonderful post, Jeana. Love your thoughts on this. And your running story—breaking your vow. Bwahaha!
Sarah Hegger
Writing muscle? I like that
Collette Cameron
Oh my gosh, your jogging analogy hit home. I started doing some serious running with my daughter in June. I thought I’d die, but it has gotten easier and I can go farther every day.
Love writing muscle!
Gemma Brocato
Criminals as creatives? That takes some thinking about. It makes sense. Great post, Jeana.
J.J. Devine
Love your post, Jeana!!! Great answers and I don’t know if I’ve told you, but I’m super proud of you!!!
Veronica Forand
I admit I don’t write everyday, but my brain is always messing around my plots, and if I take two days off, I get edgy and need to sit at the computer to write something. Love the post!
Ronnie allen
I’m with you in that I need to write. My characters talk to me so loudly that I’m not allowed to ignore them.
jeana
Oh, J.J., you make me misty-eyed. I wouldn’t be doing this today if it hadn’t been for you and Lanora.
Mishka Jenkins
I don’t think I could stop writing either 😀 Great answers!