Clarissa Bannor

Confession: I don’t write daily. I don’t read daily either. I do occasionally consider abandoning my second novel manuscript. And I have been known to put down a book without ever reading to the end. Yet, I consider myself both a writer and a reader.

There’s lots of advice out there about how to be a writer. All of it’s good. For someone. But is all of it good for you? I often feel like a literary less-than because I don’t follow all the “good” writing advice out there. But I’m learning to differentiate between good advice and advice that’s good for me.

1. Write every day.

Even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Even if it’s crap. Even if it means getting up at 4:30 in the morning.

I love a structured routine, and I wish daily writing fit into mine. But it doesn’t. In my current season, writing every day is an out-of-reach luxury. Besides, sometimes not writing is writing. When I’m not writing, I’m gathering material, collecting lived experiences, reading, researching, thinking, and being still. All of these activities support my writing. Besides, in what other activity is it advisable to never, ever step away? To never, ever take a break? Back when I ran half-marathons regularly, I didn’t run every single day. Some days were for cross-training. Some days were even for rest. I like to think of my not-writing days as cross-training.

If you want to try writing every day, I applaud and, honestly, envy you – but give yourself some grace if you miss a day every now and then. You’re still a writer. You’ll get back to it tomorrow. Or the next day.

2. Establish and employ a writing ritual.

Cue your mind and body into the fact that now is the time to write. Light your favorite candle. Prepare your signature writing drink. Turn on that writerly soundtrack. Eliminate all distractions. Go to your writing space, which should be the same spot every time because–I don’t know – that triggers your muse.

If I’m being honest, I love this advice, and I wish I could take it, but it’s just not realistic for my already-up-before-5am-anyway, working-full-time, freelance-writing-on-the-side, dog-and-parrot-mom lifestyle.

If I invested time in this process, I’d write even more infrequently and for even less time than I already do. I have to prioritize the actual writing. The time I would spend setting up my ritual each writing session, I devote to the writing. The time I would’ve spent hunting for a lighter for that candle, I spend writing (besides, candles aren’t good for Archie the rescue parrot). The time it would take me to make that drink, I spent writing. The soundtrack? If I’m on my back deck, it’s birdsong and maybe my neighbor’s weed whacker. If I’m in the living room, it’s Archie’s repertoire of words and sounds and The Littles’ (my dogs) occasional bark. If I’m at the kitchen table, it’s the washing machine or dishwasher.

My writing sessions are piecemeal, migratory, and transitory, often determined by where The Littles settle, what the weather’s doing, when time permits, etc. I like to think of my ritual as…organic.

3. Don’t wait for the muse to strike.

The muse may never strike. If you wait for inspiration to write, you may never write – so go ahead and at least write some junk you can polish up later. Sometimes, writing is like pulling teeth.

I’m not a dentist. I don’t want to pull teeth. And while this advice holds true if I’m on deadline, if I’m not, why torture myself? Why turn something I love into a slog? I write better and enjoy the process more when I’m inspired, and I want to love the act of writing whenever possible. Besides, I’m pretty much intrinsically compelled to write in some capacity most days of the week, anyway. My muse is a taskmaster. There’s no need for me to usurp her and force the issue.

This is not to say you shouldn’t follow the above nuggets of wisdom; it’s simply to say that each of us has to find what works for us. Writing habits are not one-size-fits-all. When I realize I haven’t been writing enough, I don’t beat myself up over it; I sign up for a workshop or a class. I once went so far as to enroll in a graduate program for creative writing and a year-long novel-writing class to hold myself accountable and provide myself some structure. Both were hugely successful and satisfying endeavors. As for a writing ritual, I always have a full glass of water on hand. And regarding that muse – I welcome her visits when she makes them, and when she doesn’t, well, I don’t write without her unless I’m under duress.

About the Author

Amanda Sue Creasey is a high school English teacher and the Outdoors Writer for Cooperative Living Magazine. She holds an undergraduate degree in German, English, and Secondary Education from Michigan State University, and a graduate degree in Creative Writing from the University of Denver. Her work appears in three Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and her poetry, outdoor journalism, and nature photography have earned recognition from the Poetry Society of Virginia and the Virginia Outdoor Writers Association. Her debut novel, An Expected End, came out last year. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, walking, and standup paddleboarding with her dogs, as well as running and reading. A member of James River Writers, the Poetry Society of Virginia, and the Virginia Outdoor Writers Association, she resides in Chester, Virginia, with her husband; Archie the rescue parrot; and two rescue dogs, Nacho and Soda, chihuahua mix littermates who rule the house. Find Amanda on Instagram at @Amanda_Sue_Creasey, substack at AmandaSue Creasey.substack.com, or on her website, AmandaSueCreasey.com.

When the subject of my fifth book release comes up – with my launch events that JRW members are absolutely invited to – one of the first questions I usually hear is “What do you write?”

As a multi-genre author, I adore this question that I once dreaded. While a long explanation could follow, regarding my fiction and nonfiction, including my writing reference and storytelling empowerment books as well as my dual timeline fiction and literary history work, I’ve learned a new strategy.

Everything I write, no matter the genre, has the same cohesive theme. When I realized that I could put this singular idea into words and introduce all of my work within a sentence, my answer to this tricky question not only coalesced, but my professional focus also solidified.

Rather than speaking of genre, I share my personal mission as an author. You could call it my thesis, my leitmotif, or my author brand. Defining what’s at the heart of everything I write allows me to have an easy answer, but also an answer that invites further questions. And isn’t piquing curiosity our goal when we speak of our work?

Defining my mission made all the difference.

What is an author’s mission?

If you’ve attended past memoir or fiction editing workshops I’ve held with James River Writers, the idea of a mission statement might be familiar. This concept is one I recommend for individual creative projects, ensuring the whole hits the mark the writer intends. However, when we’re thinking about the all-encompassing mission of an author’s career, a deeper analysis of works, audience, and goals comes to the surface.

What steadily drives you to write and create?

What do you want your readers to take away from your projects every time?

Is there a consistency of theme that holds all of your creative pieces together?

For me, every book I write focuses on how well-written words and well-told stories have the capacity to change the world. Everything I’ve published falls under this umbrella, and my future projects, some of which are already defined and underway, will continue to.

Is this concept broad? Absolutely. But my work as an author, editor, and literary historian chases countless curiosities. My readers know this, and when I’m clear about my future intentions, hopefully, they’ll continue with me for the ride.

In modern life, we must understand the power of sound bites.

From 30-second elevator pitches (or should we say “escalator pitches” at the James River Writers Conference?) to perfectly wordsmithed query letter language, knowing how to be captivating but brief is a skill to hone. The “What do you write?” question is similar to the “What is your book about?” question. You’ll lose your audience, in person or writing, if you neglect to reach your point both quickly and enticingly.

For better or worse, we live in a sound-bite reality. Still, you can seize upon this short and sweet attention span to pull your potential readers in if you’re thoughtful about your answers to these questions.

Genre can define an author, but it doesn’t have to.

There was a time that I stressed over the fact that I loved writing fiction, even though my first three books weren’t fiction. Anxieties arise around countless aspects of a creative career, but genre restrictions in an author’s brand shouldn’t be one of them.

I continue to write what I love, and I argue that you should too – as long as you are thoughtful about the way you present yourself.

We all have our missions. Defining yours may transport you to the next stage and new possibilities for your creative career. It certainly has for me.

About the Author

Kris Spisak wrote her first three books—Get a Grip on Your Grammar, The Novel Editing Workbook, and The Family Story Workbook—to help writers of all kinds sharpen their storytelling and empower their communications. Her award-winning debut novel, The Baba Yaga Mask, was inspired by her family’s experience in the post-WWII Ukrainian diaspora, and her fifth book, Becoming Baba Yaga: Trickster, Feminist, and Witch of the Woods, explores the complex origins of this Slavic folktale character.

As I prepared for the panel “Garnering Media Attention to Get the Word Out About Your Work” at the JRW Conference, I reflected on two questions that come up when pitching an article or interview, a book, or even a story for television or film: Why you? Why now?

I’ve worked with authors for over a decade, and some of that work is pitching bylines and interviews. I’m also a student in the television and film development program at UCLA Extension, which includes learning how books are adapted for the screen. Those two questions—why you, why now?—come up again and again.

If you’re pitching to an editor or executive, the “why now” shows that your story is relevant to audiences today. What makes it timely? (This applies when you’re pitching historical stories, too.) If it’s a book or a television show rather than a byline or interview, why will the story still be relevant in a year when it is released?

Why are you the person to tell the story, to write this article or book, discuss this topic during an interview, write this movie or TV series? Creating a television show or a book requires years of commitment, long hours, and unwavering dedication. Executives want to see the Why that will sustain the writer, fuel their creativity, and give them experiences to draw on. Nick Pepper, current Head of Studio Creative Content at Amazon Studios and former Vice President at ABC Network and ABC Studios, says that passion is incredibly important and connects your listener to the reason you’re making the project. As author Simon Sinek says, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” (Check out Kris Spisak’s article from last month about defining your mission.)

When focusing on your connection to the material in a pitch, you’ll highlight your relevant work experience and credentials, of course, but it doesn’t have to be limited to your resume. Kelly Edwards, producer, author, and former TV executive who also consults for Apple Studios, PBS, and Sony Television, trains writers to tell their own stories during pitch meetings. To brainstorm your story, she suggests considering the following:

• How did your early life shape you as a writer and/or the story you’re telling?
• What are seminal moments in your life and obstacles you had to overcome? How did those moments give you perspective on your art?
• How did you respond to those moments and/or obstacles?
• How did those decisions shape you and make you the writer you are today?
• Why did those moments make you want to tell the stories you do? How did they lead to your accomplishments?

As you tell “the story of you,” you want to form a connection between you and your audience, between you and the story you’re telling. You’re trying to spark curiosity, entertain, or evoke emotion.

This “story of you” can be adapted for a 30-second elevator pitch, a longer meeting, or interesting talking points during interviews with podcasts, your local morning news program, Good Morning America, or The Late Show.

I can’t wait to see where you’ll explain why you and why now.

About the Author

Kristi Tuck Austin helps authors increase their books’ discoverability, build their platforms, and turn new readers into loyal fans. She’s also worked in TV development for America’s Next Great Author, Can Do Entertainment, and Gum Street Productions. She’s completing a certificate in Film and TV Development from UCLAx.