• I am both a writer and an editor, and genuinely enjoy being both things. Thus I sometimes have moments where I’m glad I do such hideous drafts because I get to go fix them afterwards. True excitement, I know.
  

• Writing is a creative emotional outlet for a lot of writers. It restores equilibrium between thoughts and feelings. However, it can be mentally and emotionally exhausting if you want to start a daily writing schedule. It’s rewarding, and good discipline, but it’s more demanding than you probably will notice until the fatigue catches up. Don’t schedule in your writing time as your only downtime. Trust me.
  

• On the topic of writing schedules, make yourself a ritual that gets you into writing headspace. For me, it’s making a cup of tea, reading my tarot, and then sitting in a certain chair. Going through the motions makes me think of what’s coming next, and, I mean, once I’ve already sat down in the writing chair…
  

• Characters change gender, ethnicity, and age over the course of drafts. It’s really quite remarkable to watch. I get crotchety about changing things sometimes when I’m attached to one idea of the character, but incorporating a new aspect into the story is always exciting. (One character in “To Those Who Seek Sirens” was male, and then female, and appropriately enough is a happy transwoman now.)
  

• For some reason, no matter what you’re writing, as long as it’s got characters in it, everyone’s favorite character will be that side character from chapter twelve who shows up to putter around the plot a little bit and then vanishes forever. This is just the way of things, precious child. Don’t be sad.
  

• Sometimes, you’re going to experience burn-out on your current project. Especially if it’s a long one. Especially by the time you reach Edit Series #542. *raises glass heartily* I hear you. Depending on what sort of writer you are, it might be tempting to start a new project. But new projects can be a massive diversion of focus if you’re planning on finishing your original project.
  
  When you get that “Anything But This” writing itch, try writing with your same characters in a scene that doesn’t happen. Invent an alternate timeline. Get funky with it, but stay at least partly tethered to your project. Who knows, it might give you a creative boost for the real thing!
  

I haven’t done a Writer Confessions for a while, but I’m trying out a permanent image header. Good? Bad? (Bonus confession: I haven’t forgotten about nominations or series, I’m just running a month-to-month blogging schedule at the moment. I’ll get back to everyone soon!)

[kofi]