I have noticed a few things about myself after I
have started writing full-time. No, no, I have not sprouted an extra pair of
hands (that would have been wonderful and with that I could work on more than
one task at a time). I mean to say that I find myself observing everything
around me with an intensity that was earlier missing.
Earlier whenever I was out in a public place, I would
spend my time either chatting with friends and family or texting a friend. That
way I would seldom study things around me. And that reflected in my writing. I
would struggle when it came to descriptions and details.
Nowadays, I spend the time I am out of my house studying
my surroundings, watching people, soaking in the ambience, and absorbing the
details. I watch people’s expressions (without staring at them, else they would
take offence or label me a peeping Jill), I listen to the sounds and notice the
way people walk on the roads, or interact with each other.
I am not sure whether I should be saying this
without coming across as pompous or sounding silly, but all this is making my
writing better; a few agents have said that they love my descriptions, as have
my critique partners. And I also find it easy to describe things without
struggling for the correct description or words.
Observing things has become the new meditation for me.
And the benefits have been amazing. I am enjoying my writing, and more and more
shiny new ideas have been dropping into my head. My ideas folder has become
fatter and fatter.
Have any of you seen such changes in yourselves
after you have started writing more and more? What changes do you see in
yourself after writing full-time?
When I was in high school and college creative writing, many of the assignments were to just go out somewhere, be quiet, and observe your surroundings. Write it down, or just commit it to memory; sights, smells, sounds, emotions of people going about their daily lives. Be present in a single moment of time/
ReplyDeleteYeah, it does make a difference in how you write setting. Well, it did for me anyway.
I agree, Rachna. I do observe that I have become more observant! This is a great thing for us writers, and we would be wise to make the most of it.
ReplyDeleteI've never written full-time so I'd have to see what it was like. That's so awesome that you're able to. And I do notice good changes in my writing over time.
ReplyDeleteWriting full time would be so much pressure.
ReplyDeleteI've learned more about what makes people tick.
I have realized I need to do exactly this as people have commented that my novella could become a novel if I include interesting descriptions in it! Now the challenge is, how do I do that without boring people and without losing the track from the main story.
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
I think I've always sort of been like that, which might explain why I enjoy writing (when I'm in a good flow, at least). I don't write all that much, though since I don't do anything else I suppose you could call me a full-time writer, haha. Happy writing!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Rachna. When I started taking writing seriously enough to start reading craft books and doing some of the exercises, I noticed that I did take much more note of special details of clothing, expression, descriptions of buildings, doorways, trees, sunsets, etc. Writing tunes you into the world.
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the most interesting hobby to observe people around you and it sure helps in writing, Rachna!
ReplyDeleteThe biggest I've seen in myself since I began writing is that I'm much less tolerant of sub-standard writing when I come across it. I never used to put down books before I finish them, but now I'll do it at the drop of a hat if the writing isn't top notch. :)
ReplyDeleteHuge changes. I've become an eavesdropper. I've become an avid note-taker. I can't just take a walk anymore; I have to be ever-mindful of where I'm walking, what's around me and how I feel. I often find that I'm out of a conversation I once was in because something has caught my attention across the way and I must remember what's unique about it.
ReplyDeleteWe become more observant yes. I have now begun to write to think clearly. Writing helps me clear the fog.
ReplyDeleteYeah, change of environment helps :)
ReplyDeleteNice to be back to blogging and commenting on your post Ma 'am Rachna. Hope you have been good.
Looking forward to reading many from now on :) :) :)
Regards
Yeshi