Researching and reading to be a better writer...

It was a crazy weekend!  Busy, busy, busy!  I honestly didn't get a lot of "writing" done for my book yet I was still "working" on my writing!  Are you confused?  I was beating myself up for not "writing" as much as I had planned when the month started until my wonderful and brilliant husband enlightened me.

Ed helped me to understand my researching for the book is part of my writing process!  Duh...I learned that in a few of my writing classes - thank goodness he helped me open that filing cabinet drawer and clean out the cobwebs!  :) 

This evening's post is to help me and my fellow writing friends.  If you are in the process of "writing" a book - remember there are an array of things required in order to make your writing successful and your end product a creative work others will want to read. 

Items I have been doing over the weekend to "work" on my book so I can devote solid time to the actual "writing" - REMEMBER - RESEARCHING, REVISING, READING AND REVISITING THE PAST ARE PART OF THE WRITING PROCESS!

*Reading old newspaper clippings:  I have every newspaper clipping about my sister's case cataloged in a binder and lamenated on poster board.

*Watching old home videos and/or home videos:  To watch my beautiful sister talk to me on an old video stirs up such emotion - watching newsclips from those first days opens the wound and loss associated with not knowing where Heidi is - and brings back the rawness necessary to revise these first chapters.

*Reading other books!  Good writers - read and read especially in their genre.  I'm finishing a couple books now a friend loaned me for the summer.  Once I complete these two books - my goal is to be reading memoirs and books about writing.  (If you know of a good memoir - share the title and author on the BLOG - I'm going to frequent the library for some new titles.)

*Reading professional writing magazines:  reading articles written by the experts in the field on how to write, market, seek an agent and publisher - all important stuff

*Reading my Gram's diaries starting on April 3, 1994!  Enough said - they take me back quicker and closer than anything else.

*Writing other snip-ips that aren't the book - journaling, short stories, a little of this and that

*Keeping up communication with other writers on my Facebook and through this site -

*Responding to your emails:  the encouragement and support I receive in the emails is amazing!  I try to respond to each person who sends me a note - your prayers and words are empowering!

*Talking with key characters of my life and story:  to remember and enhance my storyline by remembering and reliving those days

So although I didn't get a lot of "writing" done this weekend - the creative juices were working and ideas and Scripture verses have been jotted onto sticky notes for when I write this week!

Have a great week!  Remember to respond with your favorite memoir for me to add to my reading list! :)  Thanks!

Lisa :)