Every day for thirty-one days I‘ll share a slice and read others at Two Writing Teachers
There has been several discussions on the web and at Facebook about writing rituals over the last couple of weeks. Today I read about Carmelo Martina’s writing ritual at Teaching Authors. What a perfect topic for SOLSC.
My writing rituals are still developing. One ritual started last April is to set aside the second and fourth weekends for writing. This aligns with an online critique group established after attending a workshop from the Highlights Foundation. We exchange writing on the second and fourth Monday. Having you bum in the chair is the most challenging part of writing.
Another ritual is prayer asking for guidance and grace. My late friend, Shirley, who was a Feng Shui teacher, always talk about the importance of prayer before placing things in the house or starting a creative endeavor.
I like to review the previous revision section of my writing before going to the next section. Sometimes I will write longhand before typing on the computer.
Loose leaf green tea is part of my weekend rituals. During the week, I usually microwave the water and stick the green tea bag in the thermal container as I leave for school.
And I always have dark chocolate on hand.
What are your rituals.
Jone Rush MacCulloch 
Thanks for sharing this, Jone!
When I’m doing serious writing I have to have chocolate close at-hand. It keeps me awake and focused. 🙂
I agree chocolate is a must!
So I am wondering what are writing habits and what are writing rituals? I am thinking we use rituals to help us “get in the mood”. So many writers work in the same place – so the “words can find them” – I don’t think I have either – hmmm? I am wonder if establishing either or both might be helpful? Thanks for bringing the topic forward!
I like this question. More to think about. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m always curious about writing rituals, too. The only thibng that’s common to when and where I write is tea. A cup of tea at hand always seems to signal that it’s writing time.
What else signals writing time for you, Tara?
Hi Jone,
I’m glad my post helped inspire you. I’m a fan of loose tea, too!
I love your idea of devoting whole weekends to writing. Unfortunately, I’d have to rent a room somewhere to do that without distraction. Though I suppose I could head off to the library for long chunks of time. Now you’re inspired me!
I have used the library before I had my room ready. My room has been years in the works. There is a writers’ house that you can rent a room for $10 a day which I have done with my writing group.
I drive 2 miles to a double-decker Starbucks that is on the way to work. I sit on the 2nd floor with my venti black ice tea unsweetened and a sausage sandwich and handwirte in my journal. Sometimes I scribble reflections, a story or just a To Do list. The music soundtrack combined with the large window views help clear my mind to write. Rituals are good! I’m glad we both have a writing ritual.
How cool to have. Double decker Starbucks handy. I sometimes listen to music but it can be distracting. I am envision the large window to look out on the views.
I love this topic. This Slice of Life Challenge has certainly gotten me writing again on a daily basis. I think that is key. When I don’t have something to write each day, something that I HAVE to do, I have a really hard time doing it. I need to join Kevin’s Early Morning Writing Club, though I’m having a bit of trouble getting up lately. Thanks for making me think about this problem!
Daily basis writing is key. After this month I will be writing a poem a day for National Poetry Month.
I am an early morning writer. It is quiet, dark, and I am alone with my thoughts. I compose on a keyboard most of the time. I love the movement of my fingers and the tap, tap, tap, I hear as my fingers strike the keys.
I love early morning to write too but I also need to work out.
I am up early (The Sunrise Writing Club, is what a few of us call ourselves), walking the dog to think and brewing some coffee to write.
I read a few emails and then dive into my morning writing rituals. In a quiet house, I write with little distractions and I have about an hour. I blog, tweet, write comments (such as this) and then, the day begins in a way that I feel I have made some mark on the world and released some words.
I write every day and on days when I can’t, I really feel this void in my soul, my heart, my head.
I find that interesting.
Kevin
I love the early hours too. These days though I find I need to work out them. I love your last line…the void in my soul.
Over the years, my own writing rituals have changed. I used to start the day with English Breakfast tea and re-reading, editing. Now, I drink green tea and spend 30 minutes of blogging, writing, reading blogs and emails in the morning. At night, after dinner, for about an hour or two each night, I prepare for grad school, my day teaching job, or draft……my drafting of my stories is suffering now as I do not have the energy I once had OR else the teaching jobs take more work than ever before!
I think the teaching jobs take more out of us these days. Thanks for stopping by.
I’ve read some of the Teaching Authors’ words, too, Jone-really insightful aren’t they? I’ve told you before I think it’s great that you earmark two weekends a month for your writing. I write every day, but nearly always early morning for wrapping up a project needed, and in the evening for my blog. I’m trying to keep them separate. That’s not exactly a ritual, more of a habit I guess. I think it’s going to take time to develop something more. Music is too distracting, but maybe lighting a candle would be a nice thing. Interesting to think about.
I find at times music can be distracting too. And I am thinking about habits as well as rituals.