There was a mental probe today morning when I read one of my blogger friend share about her writing process. I started thinking what rituals do I follow when I write? Do I have laid out rules I stick to?(that's not me:-P), Do I write vaguely?(Not at all..). What are the key thing I focus on while I write?... The web of abstract questions went on spinning and without drowning in it, I just wanted to write the answers.
Here are some things I do(/follow mostly) when I write a blog.
The topics that I write are usually from real life incidents.Some times I write on word or picture prompts but I choose mostly from my travel stories. I love to read or share any inspirational potion with my fellow bloggers. I believe in getting better than yesterday, each day. Most of the thoughts are mentally weaved. I am lazy enough to put things on paper when it comes to writing. Mental lists works for me but it becomes volatile if there is too much gap between thinking and writing. Many stories have escaped my mind like this. Sudden urge, strong thoughts, writing impulse also make it to my blog. While some have been procrastinated from a real long time to be written, some are as quick as 15 minutes.
As already mentioned, I weave most of the story in mind,in no specific sequence. When I sit in front of the system or a notepad I just let it pour nice and easy from my mind onto the paper. When I feel there is a overwhelming list that is jugging in my head, I make a note in my mobile- just a line or two so that I know what I was thinking of that moment. Not poor memory but one thought gushes over the other leaving me confused. Mobile notes are also a good aid for a person like me.
When I start writing I avoid other disturbances around me and focus only on the flow. I let it flow as and when the words crop up and thought follows naturally. I do this until the end. Meanwhile, I ignore any spelling or grammatical mistakes for that moment. I reserve a slot for it later. Putting what is in mind on paper is the first thing I want to do. The story first.
I always love to use pictures in places where ever necessary as I believe images convey a lot more than words. They are mostly the pictures I click or I also resort to Google for help. It is very generous you see:).Quotes are something I love to add in my posts . I personally feel they make the read strong. Few lines of poetry are written only if I had a surge of rhymes humming inside me.
I do not want to hurt any person in specific when I wrrite. I write about general topics that bothers me. I write to share my opinion towards any petty thing on earth but I don't rush to hurt other's sentiments. If my intention is to hurt someone I know better means than using my blog to do so (punching in face:-P) . To the best of my ability I try to keep it that way. Beyond this if it pricks somebody, then it could also be their guilty consciousness haunting them.
After all this, I read it twice or more times to correct the spelling and other mistakes. I also preview just to make sure that alignment, font and other things are proper. The necessary highlighting and link ups are done in this phase.
For one time before I post, I forget that I am the author of the post. I read it through other's eyes/perspective and try to see if any modification is necessary. I strongly feel that once I begin to read ,thinking what I write is absolutely flawless then there is no room for improvement/change. To my surprise, I will definitely catch hold of some mistakes and will fix them up immediately. This method is implemented in every post I publish.
So what are your writing rituals? Do you also do some crazy techniques to check before you post? or do you genuinely stick to some rules?
 |
| Source: Google Images |
Here are some things I do(/follow mostly) when I write a blog.
1)Either unplanned or procrastinated
The topics that I write are usually from real life incidents.Some times I write on word or picture prompts but I choose mostly from my travel stories. I love to read or share any inspirational potion with my fellow bloggers. I believe in getting better than yesterday, each day. Most of the thoughts are mentally weaved. I am lazy enough to put things on paper when it comes to writing. Mental lists works for me but it becomes volatile if there is too much gap between thinking and writing. Many stories have escaped my mind like this. Sudden urge, strong thoughts, writing impulse also make it to my blog. While some have been procrastinated from a real long time to be written, some are as quick as 15 minutes.
2)Weave the highlights mentally
As already mentioned, I weave most of the story in mind,in no specific sequence. When I sit in front of the system or a notepad I just let it pour nice and easy from my mind onto the paper. When I feel there is a overwhelming list that is jugging in my head, I make a note in my mobile- just a line or two so that I know what I was thinking of that moment. Not poor memory but one thought gushes over the other leaving me confused. Mobile notes are also a good aid for a person like me.
3)Go with the flow, ignore mistakes for now
When I start writing I avoid other disturbances around me and focus only on the flow. I let it flow as and when the words crop up and thought follows naturally. I do this until the end. Meanwhile, I ignore any spelling or grammatical mistakes for that moment. I reserve a slot for it later. Putting what is in mind on paper is the first thing I want to do. The story first.
4)Quotes, poems, pictures are an aid
I always love to use pictures in places where ever necessary as I believe images convey a lot more than words. They are mostly the pictures I click or I also resort to Google for help. It is very generous you see:).Quotes are something I love to add in my posts . I personally feel they make the read strong. Few lines of poetry are written only if I had a surge of rhymes humming inside me.
5)Do not target other's sentiments
I do not want to hurt any person in specific when I wrrite. I write about general topics that bothers me. I write to share my opinion towards any petty thing on earth but I don't rush to hurt other's sentiments. If my intention is to hurt someone I know better means than using my blog to do so (punching in face:-P) . To the best of my ability I try to keep it that way. Beyond this if it pricks somebody, then it could also be their guilty consciousness haunting them.
6)Read and re-read
After all this, I read it twice or more times to correct the spelling and other mistakes. I also preview just to make sure that alignment, font and other things are proper. The necessary highlighting and link ups are done in this phase.
7)Read it through other's eyes
For one time before I post, I forget that I am the author of the post. I read it through other's eyes/perspective and try to see if any modification is necessary. I strongly feel that once I begin to read ,thinking what I write is absolutely flawless then there is no room for improvement/change. To my surprise, I will definitely catch hold of some mistakes and will fix them up immediately. This method is implemented in every post I publish.
So what are your writing rituals? Do you also do some crazy techniques to check before you post? or do you genuinely stick to some rules?
Also linking it up with #MondayMusings hosted by Corrine at Write tribe
What a mature and grounded way to go about your writing, Rashmi! It is beautiful to read your reflections about your writing rituals. I think your wisest point is No.3 - something we all fall prey to! And No.7 is very considerate!. Thank you for sharing your process!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading Vidya:) Lot of things to learn about writing from great bloggers like you. I am so glad you dropped by:) Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI do number 3 too! There are lots of post with grammatical errors on my blog still. I would have written them because of a certain urge and I like how crude they are.
ReplyDeleteVery well articulated post. :)
Thanks for dropping by:) Even I support fact that content becomes important than the minor spelling errors:)
DeleteVery interesting post, Rashmi! I like the way you go about them in a very simple, straightforward manner. I too use numbers 3 and 6 for most of my posts. After reading yours, I am tempted to add my post too, so better get going :-)
ReplyDeleteYes Esha we would love to hear about your writing practices as well:) Thanks for dropping by!
DeleteThat's a great way of going about writing, Rashmi. Hope to see more of it!
ReplyDeleteI hope for the same Corrine:) Thanks for reading.
DeleteGlad to read about writing rituals. I normally don't follow any ritual as such but try to be imaginative, like a film character for fiction or just write as it gets. Though, I do plan stuffs at times. Mostly, I feel to let things flow on their own.
ReplyDeleteHey Vishal. Glad to see your comments here.Getting into in the skin of the characters just like you do is the best way to write. It stays real and easy that way.
DeleteThose are some of the "rituals" I follow as well, except for number 3! Try as I might, I just can't get away from editing as I go along. Probably not ideal for most people, but old habits die hard.
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie. May be every one has a habit they stick too. But I appreciate the fact that you can get back to the flow keeping the piece error free- at the same time. That's quite an skill.
DeleteThis is a very useful post for me Rashmi. I will be around here for more. Am so glad that you reached me in my blog, which lead me here. I am so happy :) Thank you so much dear.
ReplyDeleteHi Tara. Thank you for your kind words.Glad to connect with you:)
ReplyDeleteLet it go for a while now... I have always followed it :)
ReplyDeleteRicha
Hi Rashmi , it was a pleasure to read this very well planned post.
ReplyDelete