Q. Are you more of a planner when writing, or do you discover the story as you go?A. Through most of the writing I’ve done, I’d consider myself a “pantser,” I just start and see where the story takes me. In more recent writing efforts, I’ve definitely needed to be more strategic. Time to write comes at a premium nowadays – so being more intentional with my time at the keyboard is a must. I will definitely say that there are times where it feels like the story is writing itself and I’m just there getting it down into print.
Q. What advice would you give someone who wants to become a writer?
A. Just do the thing. First drafts aren’t going to be perfect so doubling back over and over is just going to slow you down. Get it all out the whole thing in its messy glory, then go back and clean it up. That’s what’s worked best for me and how I plan to continue to work.
Q. Do you prefer writing with music, background noise, or complete silence?
A. I write with specific playlists depending on the piece I’m working on. I can write in silence or with stuff that I’ve already watched playing on the TV or something, but my best work is inspired by specifically curated and arranged playlists. There is a specific mood that I usually try to capture and music helps tremendously with that.
Q. How do you handle writer’s block when it happens?
A. I listen to it. Writer’s block usually indicates that there’s something I need to chew on for a little bit before moving forward. I give myself the break, the time, and the patience I need to move through it and then pick it up again. I’ve also started alternating between writing projects to keep from burning out on one while continuing to get wordcount in.
Q. Do you prefer writing early in the morning or late at night?
A. I definitely prefer to write in the early morning on a fresh mind and without the potential distractions of a day’s events but I take the time where I can get it. Sometimes it’s during a lull while I’m at work in the shop, sometimes it’s between 6 and 7 PM while there’s a moment of quiet.
Q. Do you have any strange or unusual writing habits?
A. As a follow up to the previous question, my strangest writing “habit” comes from feeling restless. What I’ve noticed is that if I’m having a hard time settling or if I wake up hours before my alarm goes off, it’s probably because there’s some scene or a progression rattling around that I need to get out before I can settle. When that happens, no matter what time it is, I get up, go to my computer, and write it out – regardless of whether it’s a full chapter of writing or not, I just get it out there and revisit it when I’m in a more present state to write it. Everyone has a story kicking around in them and it deserves to be expressed via whatever medium it needs to.
Visit Joseph’s page at https://nhauthors.com/joseph-deprofio/