Writer Dad’s last blog post..These Are Our Balloons

Frank Marcopolos’s last blog post..The Hortlak by Kelly Link (Part 2 of 2)

Kool Aid: In the last year I’ve listened to less music than I ever have in my life. I’ve tried to listen to music while writing, but I can’t for the life of me seem to manage it. Since my minutes are all spent writing or with family right now, it means I’ve heard almost no new music (the new Em album got two spins only) and none of my old faves. I can’t wait for life to settle. I miss the harmonies for sure.

Sean’s last blog post..How to Think Like a Black Belt in Parenting

It never really works. I have a horrible memory and even the little everyday chores I have to write down in a list or I’ll get myself distracted and forget something, so remembering a cool idea or thought for a blog post, writing or artwork almost never happens for me.

One of the few non-distractions for me, though, is music. I love to listen to music even if it’s just in the background, when I’m creating. It’s always been that way for me. All through art school, I had music playing somewhere – either headphones or a nearby radio – but the style of music would sometimes dictate how my creativity ran. However, if I’m “working” on something (like researching for homeschool topics) or reading, I can’t listen to music – it’s too distracting. The flow of the music or the lyrics draw my concentration away from whatever I’m working on.

Kool Aid’s last blog post..First day of school

write a writing’s last blog post..Learn Business Writing: A Few Commandments

Janice: I have a good friend who is a professional chef by trade. He pours himself into everything he creates yet is loathe to call himself an artist. I do like his compromise however. He refers himself as a carpenter, there to assemble the elements with craftsmanship. Fair enough, but it’s to-mato ta-mato in my eyes.

Vered: Boy do I hear you. I’ve been so jumbly lately with a ton of business writing that I’ve had to do, I just have to be willing to sit down and slog through a rough draft of something just so that the creative gets done. You can always go back, but only if you start.

Davina: Reading is good, or even mindless TV sometimes. I am often forced from the keyboard by the other orbiting duties of life. But your right, the ideas rarely disappear. They just keep on rattling around until I’m ready to revisit.

Davina’s last blog post..To Smile A Smile

Vered – MomGrind’s last blog post..Low Rise Jeans: Five Reasons To Hate Them, One Reason To Love Them

Your emphasis on being “qualified” intrigued me. I did English at uni because I was young, had good grades in English at school and never really gave it much thought. The one thing no-one has ever taught me was how to write. Even as a child, I wouldn’t have paid any attention even if someone had told me how to. I twigged very early on that every teacher I ever had had their own ideas on the subject. I decided a very long time ago to develop my own ideas by reading and writing every chance I got. I write how I want to. At uni I learned how others wrote, but I reckon to find your own voice, you simply need to live, love, keep learning and keep reading and writing.

janice’s last blog post..How to Breathe Life Into Your Writing