20 Things I've Never Done as a Writer … Or Have I?

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

There are lots of posts in cyberworld, of things you've done or never done. I decided to play with that. 

1. Killed a character: I've never killed one. I don't write suspense. Don't get me wrong, I've put a couple in jail, but no real bloodshed.

2. Gotten a 1-star review: I've had a few, not too many. I know fiction is 100% subjective, and there's no counting for taste. I'll stop there without any snarky remarks (although I have plenty in my arsenal). 

3. Cried over editor notes: Nope. I kicked a few cabinets in my time but quickly realize how much better my editor makes me sound. I no longer kick cabinets. It can get costly.

4. Lost NANOWRIMO: I've never been a fast writer. Although, during Covid when I couldn't do anything but stay home and write, I discovered I could. But I sitll lost in NANOWRIMO.

5. Drank a whole pot of coffee: What's the problem with this? Coffee adn chocolate ate two of the four major food groups.

6. Gotten a rejection latter: Oh, please. I could wallpaper my office with all the ones I got over the years. They are stepping stones to success. Period.

7. Mixed its with it's: Nope. My mother was an elementary school teacher. She made sure I knew those things. The only one that continues to give me pause is effect vs affect. But I keep a sticky note on my screen for that one.

8. Wrote while at a coffee shop: Of course! All writers have an ancillary office. I get energized being around people … especially ones I don't have to talk to. The white noise helps me focus, which is strange because I'm ADD. I don’t know how it works—it just does.

9. Stayed in pajamas all day: Only if I'm sick. I must admit, though, if I don't have to go anywhere, I tend to stay in my jams until at least 10:00 AM.

10. Forgotten a character's name: Rarely, but it does happen. I keep lists—alphabetized by both last and first name. I also add their relationship to the main character. 

11. Changed a character's name: Most definitely. For me, names are extremely important. They have to work with the character's personality. I've had characters refuse to continue telling me their story until I changed their name. I even had my kids ask to change their names. 

12. Obsessed over adding or deleting a comma: Hasn't every writer?

13. Cried while writing an emotional scene: This is an absolute must. If I want my readers to cry, it'd better make me cry. My goal is to make my readers laugh out loud and weep at the tender scenes.

14. Deleted an entire chapter: Often. If it doesn't work, cut it. I've even deleted a nearly half completed WIP. If it doesn't fit my brand - kill it. Hmm, harkening back to #1, maaybe I have killed a character—several with one keystroke! 

15. Added or deleted a POV: I have. It helps if you are good at weaving. But if you need more word count, adding another POV works. But just make sure their plotline adds value to the story. And if you delete a POV, you will usually have to weave in their storyline through dialogue without sounding like an info dump. Who ever said this gig was easy?

16. Got distracted with Facebook: No. I allow myself so much time doing social media and stick to it.

17. Been asked, "Where do you get your ideas?" All the time. Ideas are all around us. My problem is I'll never live long enough to write them all. 

18. Brainstormed in the shower: Good gravy yes! I even have a small waterproof white board in mine. If I'm brainstorming alone, I sometimes use sticky notes, jot down an idea, and slap it on my bulletin board. I can move them around, toss what doesn't work, and keep what does.

19. Talked out loud to a character: Yes. And people used to look at me strange, however, I fixed that. I got an ear bud. When it's in, they think I'm on the phone. And yes, I can conference call if I need two characters to hash out something.

20. Obsessed over word count: Confession time. I do. Especially when I'm in that saggy middle of the story. How can I make this exciting without getting to the end right now? That's when I wish I was more of a plotter. However, a good brainstorm session always helps me get back on track.

My score? Uhm … 4. But then, if #14 counts, then my score is 3.

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20 Things I've Never Done as a Writer … Or Have I? from @AneMulligan on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Ane Mulligan lives life from a director’s chair, both in theatre and at her desk creating novels. Entranced with story by age three, at five she saw PETER PAN onstage and was struck with a fever from which she never recovered—stage fever. One day, her passions collided, and an award-winning, bestselling novelist emerged. She believes chocolate and coffee are two of the four major food groups and lives in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband and a rascally Rottweiler. Find Ane on her website, Amazon Author page, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, The Write Conversation, and Blue Ridge Conference Blog.