Judy Reeves, well-known San Diego writer and teacher, gave members of Sisters in Crime some tips on how to keep writing once the muse goes into hiding.
Judy emphasized three elements key to writing:
1.) Claim yourself as a writer. You write because it comes from inside you: not for fame or money or glory. You write because you are a writer.
2.) Make time to write. Do this by making daily appointments to write, either on your own or with a friend or a writing group. Surprises happen when you write daily.
3.) Write. Writing takes practice, just like anything else. Writing prompts are an excellent way to practice, often igniting ideas that can lead down exciting paths.
Writing is a solitary process, and commitment to the process is essential. Writers need stamina to withstand the solitude, and developing a routine will help. Writers have to ignore the voices that say they are not good enough or have nothing to say. They have to conquer the fear of being judged.
Judy has written several books, including A Writer’s Book of Days, which is filled with writing prompts aimed at stimulating the mind. She teaches at Writers Ink as well as leading workshops and retreats for writers.
She ended her talk by paraphrasing a quote from Hemingway: “Practice is how to be what you want to be.”
Notes for the meeting were contributed by Chynne Strommen.