I don’t really have writing superstitions, per se, but I definitely have rituals. For instance, I write about half my book longhand and half on the computer. For the longhand part, I use Clairefontaine notebooks, because the paper quality is amazing, and since I like to use more of a marker-like pen, I can write on the front and back of the page without it bleeding through at all.
I go through a notebook every couple of months – and I don’t use a new / separate one for each project. For instance, the one I’m
finishing now has some notes about Cam’s book, most of Zane’s book, rewritten scenes for Sydney’s Tempting the Fire and a few Stryker scenes.
If you look through the completed notebooks, you’ll find what my life was about at that time as well. Phone numbers are scattered at the top or in the margins. Lily’s surgery dates are often there, as well as word count, quotes I’ve come across that I like, lists of things I needed to do by a certain date.
When I start a new one, I have to pick the color of the cover, even though once I start, I never actual close the thing. But I have to go with the feeling of where I am – and to me, colors represent mood.
For instance, I chose red for the new one because I don’t really like the color at all, and I’m having a tough time finishing up my book, and the last time I used a red notebook when I was having a tough time, things worked out well.
Then, I have certain things I put on the first page. To start, I go with quotes that describe best where I am / what I’m thinking at that particular time. And then I list what’s happening in my writing life at the time – what book I’ve handed in, what I’m starting, etc. And I date it, so I know when I started the notebook.
Here’s one of the quotes in my current notebook:
“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.” – Samuel Johnson
Do you have any rituals for when you start something new? (This could be non-writing related, of course!)
OK Promise not to laugh. I like my bookmarks to match my books. I never use the longer ones in the shorter books becuase they get bent.
Mary, I can completely understand that!
When I read, I try not to break the spine of the book and I refuse to fold down pages…
I have a ritual that I follow every night in order to go to sleep. If I miss a step and try to go to sleep, I have a horrible night. If I can’t remember if I did the steps, I start over. It’s silly but I think it’s a way for me to unwind before trying to sleep.
I can totally see that as a way to put the day behind you and get a good night’s sleep!
Every Sunday morning, I take about two hours to go to the nearest Starbucks and write. I always listen to the same music (Kings of Leon) and I always order the same drink (Triple Grande Skim Mocha) and just enjoy the morning. Sometimes the words are coming so fast that I completely lose track of time. Those are the GOOD Sundays!
Hey Gayle -
I have a Kings of Leon song on my Zane soundtrack (Use Somebody)! And that sounds like a great, productive ritual (and yummy too
Plus, it gets you away from all the distractions of home…I might have to try that at some point…
I don’t know if it’s a routine, but I’ve noticed that since I’ve become more serious about writing, I’ve started taking a notebook to work, so that during the slow times I can write. For some reason I tend to get the best ideas when I’m at work and it’s slow. Probably because nothing is on my mind to cloud the ideas.
Marie -
I carry a notebook everywhere – I have friends who laugh because it’s a big notebook and I’ll take it when we go out to dinner. They’ll say, are you going to start writing if we bore you, and I’m like, hey, you never know…
Hm, maybe I should have a routine… I usually have sticky notes everywhere, lol
I have notebooks, but I can’t seem to stick with one size and one place. So just imagine sticky notes everywhere… even coming out of my purse, lol
LOL – but hey, the sticky notes work for you!
And as long as you’re writing, it doesn’t matter. You are writing, aren’t you, Miss Ali?