Why You Should Put Off Writing

Part of a special month-long event featuring writing tips and NaNoWriMo strategies from guest writers and fellow NaNo participants.

Writing Craft

by Jane Wallace-Knight

For me, ideas for stories come when I let my mind go blank. Taking a solitary walk, lying in bed trying to get to sleep, or just sitting quietly and allowing my mind to wander. I usually don't have much control over where my mind takes me and I find it is usually best to give my imagination free reign. The reason I write is because once a story is in my head, then the only way to get it out is to write it down.

I'm the kind of writer who will do anything to put off sitting down at my computer and actually doing any work. The first thousand or so words of a story are always the easiest because you are just getting down what's been in your head. However, then comes the hard part of fleshing out the story and making it good, the other forty-thousand words, or so, that follow the first. I see authors talking all the time about hitting a set daily word count target. If I try and force it, when I'm not in the mood to write, then what I write won't be something that I'm happy with. I can't just write the words, I have to feel the story. For me, writing isn't particularly something I look forward to doing, or actually enjoy doing, it's just something that I have to do, because I couldn't not do it. I both love and hate writing, but I know I wouldn't be happy doing anything else.

Bio

Jane Wallace-Knight lives in the East of England in a small town on the coast, in a house by the sea. She loves nothing more than spending time with her family and friends.

In her free time, Jane loves baking and cake decorating and often makes cakes for the special occasions in her friends’ and family’s lives. She loves music, movies and books, and is never happier than when she is writing.

By Jane Wallace-Knight:

Fate is a Series of Choices We Make

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After learning that his brother is a vampire/angel hybrid, Kieran O'Callaghan has some trouble adjusting to the new and strange world he's being dragged in to. If it weren't for Joey, the werewolf who has seemingly taken it upon himself to be Kieran's friend and guide, Kieran wouldn't know how to handle it all.
Joey Taylor was born and raised in Australia by a deeply religious, and prejudiced, pack of werewolves. Some people might think him a little unusual, but Joey is nothing if not loyal. When he meets Kieran, he instantly knows that the man is his fated mate. It should be the best day of his life, only Kieran is completely straight and just out of a long-term relationship. With Joey resigned to the fact that he can only ever be Kieran's friend, and Kieran determined to fight fate every step of the way, can they find their way to each other before it's too late.