The tools and habits of writers

[Hodgson]

Having just finished the last major draft of a novel, I have no plans to do much writing for the future except for polishing the novel and maybe a few bits here and there.

But since we have writers here, I thought we might talk about what seem the most useful habits and resources. We might also talk about how much you should dedicate yourself to a highly speculative undertaking like fiction.

Just to get things rolling, here are a few things mostly obvious perhaps and entirely at random:

TOOLS
An encyclopedia or two

Several dictionaries, including if possible a 2-volume OED (can be gotten secondhand for about $100)

A message board for posting research materials

HABITS

Keeping a regular journal

Collecting well-liked quotations from other writers

Reading a balance of fiction and nonfiction (or mainly the latter)

Reading poetry (for its own sake, but also to learn form)


What else?

[JJ Burke]

i usually find what i need in one dictionary, but there are always several backup resources online. same goes for thesauri, although it's never cool to admit using one (it's not for finding words you don't know, but words you can't remember at any given moment). the internet is the obvious choice for research, plus library books, and the odd loitering in a bookstore. i have conducted a couple of email interviews with some experts for my current project. and it's helpful to have people who will read and review my work.. this forum has become a big part of that lately.

i can't say as i have any writing related habits.. the last thing i wrote before coming here was probably a year ago. my 'muse' is an unreliable skank who only comes around for liquor money when her other chumps are broke. i'm still waiting for the big drought that brings an end to my chaparral heights endeavors. i'm a ship without a rudder! i think that's called a raft. i'm a raft! in a drought! yeah! fear my metaphors!

[Jesus Prime]

I usually just use a thesaurus and an encyclopedia to fuel things, and an odd mix of existentialist and gothic reading materials to start the whole twisted thing off in the first place.

[JJ Burke]

We might also talk about how much you should dedicate yourself to a highly speculative undertaking like fiction.

i forgot to address this part.. is this a question for professional writers, like how much time should be spent on fiction as opposed to more lucrative forms of writing? or what

[Hodgson]

We might also talk about how much you should dedicate yourself to a highly speculative undertaking like fiction.

i forgot to address this part.. is this a question for professional writers, like how much time should be spent on fiction as opposed to more lucrative forms of writing? or what

No, I mean how much time should be spent writing at all in expectation of eventually making a living at it. Or, granting the complete absence of that ambition, how much time to spend on something from which no profit whatsoever is to be expected. This would only apply, I suppose, if you spend no more time writing that you would have spent watching tv--if you don't also watch tv.

I suppose I'm just asking how much time and effort you all think is reasonable, and to what end.

[Jesus Prime]

If I feel like writing I will, but when I've no drive to do it, I don't mind the inactivity.

[JJ Burke]

there's always the hope of posthumous recognition

[Tindalos]

The tools of a writer are as follows.

Something to write with.

The ability to write.

[jeniferdesauza]

Stop comparing yourself to other writers is the most essential habit for becoming a good writer.
“There will always be someone who writes faster, or slower, or gets a bigger advance, or better advertising,” writes Carrie Vaughn in 101 Habits of Highly Successful Novelists. “Everyone’s career and writing process is a little different. Follow your own path.” You’re not Stephen King or Martha Beck? No worries. Be yourself.

[JoshTshirt]

Everyone has its own habit and whims in writing. Usually, it's the mood that keeps the writer going. An inspiration that sets the spirit and keeps the fingers jotting those words that needs to be written, conveyed to its intended readers.