As children, we are taught to share. Don’t hog your toys—let your friends play with them, too. Share your cookies at snack time. Share, share, share.

Now that we are adults, the same rule should apply, right? Of course, yes, when it comes to things such as snacks.
But what about writing? Do you share? If so, how often? Do you wait until you’re finished with a project and it’s all polished and shiny before you let others read it? Or do you ask for feedback as you go?

Stephen King tells us to “write with the door closed,” and I’m starting to think that he might have the right idea. Purely because I feel like a child once again. I don’t want to share my toys.  Because I seem to have lost the one trait I had that most children struggle with—patience.

I’ve decided that I’m not so fond of waiting for feedback. Maybe it’s karma, though, because I’m still beta reading for someone whose book I should have finished weeks ago! I have some of my work out with friends who were kind enough to offer their assistance. I love that they offered. I love that they are going to give me new, different, objective insight into my work. I love their generosity. I truly am appreciative.

Thing is, I want that insight now! Just like Veruca Salt. The song she sings on Willy Wonka has practically become my theme song. I’ve turned into an impatient child who has not been taught how to share. I sometimes say I might as well keep my stuff to myself and wait until I’ve typed those two magic words, The End.

So, I’m sure most of you aren’t thirty-year-old children acting selfish like me, but, my recent attitude leads me to the question – do you share your work?
Do you look for feedback as you go along? Or do you write the entire draft and then edit and then ask for feedback? How do you write?

Are you like Stephen King and trust yourself to get it right, or do you ask for help along the way? I used to ask for help along the way, but now I’m not so sure…. Which way is best — in your humble (possibly selfish) opinion?

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Since winning her first writing competition at a young age, Eden Tyler, has only fallen more in love with the written word. She uses her English, Psychology, and Sociology backgrounds to create depth to her own stories and novels while contributing to and running websites about writing. This is what fulfills her, along with working as Co-Editor for Fuel Your Writing, but she also enjoys the freelance work that puts food on the table (and that ever-essential roof overhead) for her family.

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I’m very much the type of person who needs music or background noise to write by, which is why I’m collecting a rather vast and odd array of music to go along with each of my projects.

The reason I think of this is that my latest choice in writing soundtracks is rather odd: Video game soundtracks. Yes, you heard me. I’m playing the soundtracks for medieval war/role playing games while I write. The reason for this is the topic of my book, a fantasy novel set in a medieval-type world where there will be fighting and battles.

So to help me set the mood for my writing, I’m surrounding myself with sounds that elicit that atmosphere for me. Another way I do this is to print off pictures that remind me of places where I imagine my book would take place so when I gaze off into the ether as I write, I’m reminded of the world I’m trying to build.

This brings me to a question: How do you create a mood for when you write? Or do you even need to set the mood while writing?

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So we’ve hashed out our agonizing challenges. Let’s let some sun shine and share our successes.

What are some things that have just gone right?

Have you ever had things come to your mind so quickly, you can’t seem to type fast enough?

What are the things that make you feel- I should totally be getting paid for this? Character development? Writing steamy love scenes?

When I started writing this, I didn’t really have any successes to post. I thought about adding my favorite chapter. But that’s already on here. Then something happened this week… I started writing again!!

So, the success I wanted to share is the power of collective brainstorming. I’d been stuck for a while. Just didn’t have enough characters or conflict even. And I couldn’t get past a particular scene. That’s when Sarah and I put our heads together and just talked it out. As ideas started flowing, I knew what direction I wanted to take things.

Let us know what works for you, or something you’re particularly proud of- your successes.

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For me, writing can be really easy sometimes, and then excruciating other times. Like right now. I’ve been in a rut for…oh…four months? I am officially and undeniably stuck. So because of my stuck-ness, I thought I’d let everyone share their challenges with writing.

Is it plot? Need more characters? (Like me- three probably isn’t enough.) Do you have a fear of killing off the bad guy?

Is it worldly related like just not having enough time in the day? (Amen, sister!)

What is the hardest for you and how do you overcome it? (I really need some help here people!)

Next week we’ll focus on more uplifting thoughts and discuss your successes. So get those ready too!

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This week I wanted to focus on setting. How do you set up your setting? Is it a place you’ve been? Do you put yourself in place of your characters?

This is my first novel. I started by taking Sarah’s advice and just wrote. I wrote about what I knew and that is…being a girl growing up in East Texas. Creative, huh? For me, I had to just write about what was familiar. I changed the names of towns, but in my head, I picture where I grew up. That way I can accurately describe even the sounds and smells. All five senses are needed to portray a good setting.

This was the best scene of setting that I could find in my book. Remember-it took me a long time to find this and I even had to tweak it to put it on here. I’m no expert!!

Ugh. Hospital. The disinfectant stench wafted through my nostrils making my head spin and eyes fight to close again. My stomach rumbled and I put my hand over the worn blue fabric of the gown. At least I didn’t have to fix my own breakfast. The room was dim and I wondered if it was even morning. I forced myself to think about what I might order instead of the beeping machines and where I was lying.

Find a good example of setting in your WiP and post it in the comments along with your advice about the topic!

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So I thought while others help us get those creative juices flowing, I’d give us some time to work on our manuscripts. My ‘theme’ will be Your WIP.

Today we’ll start off with your main character. Please share.

Don’t they look great together? Well they are. Most of the time…but that another story.

So, from the advice of my sis, I created word docs with their bios. These really help keep things straight while writing.

Alexander Jack Snow
DOB: April 10 (22 y/o)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 180?
Hair: shaggy, curls at ends, sandy color (not Tom Welling’s color)
Eyes: Steel blue
School/Occupation: Graduated from ? with Construction Management Degree/Home builder

Personality: Very reserved. Shy around girls. Keeps to himself. Loves family. Loyal. Caring. Witty, but only around those who know him.

Hobbies/Likes: plays football and basketball every now and then, loves animals and farming. Good with horses. Loves working with hands.

Dislikes: ?, people trying to hurt Rose

Identifying Features: scar on chin, uneven eyebrows, hair on face grows quickly

Rose Ella Conway
DOB: June 12 (20 y/o)
Height: 5’2″
Weight: 120
Hair: Dirty Blonde
Eyes: Blue (Darker than Jack’s)
School/Occupation: Texas A&M Vet Med/ works at local vet during summer

Personality: quiet, shy, outspoken at times, neat and organized, overdramatic sometimes,

Hobbies/Likes: swimming, reading, being outside, loves animals, sports in general

Dislikes: snakes

Identifying Features: scar above eyebrow

So that’s them. I left out their most important features of course. The ‘special’ things about them that make my story. You’ll just have to help me edit to find those things out…

Post or comment about your Main Character(s)!

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