Nina Jade Singer on Being a Productive Writer Part 2..and Giveaways!

Continued from the post below...
Being a Productive Writer Part 2
There’s a scene in my novel that I came up with during a trip to the beach. Several vendors were set up right by the boardwalk. One of them was a fortune-teller. I thought about how such a setting would work in my story. It’s set in the Caribbean and one of the characters is a witch. I decided then to give her a day job. She became a witch who has a tent on the beach where she tells fortunes.
During your daily commute, or driving to do your errands, make a conscious effort to figure out what you can add to your WIP. A mini recorder you keep in your car can be a good way to make sure none of it is forgotten.
I try to keep index cards in every room of the house. Just doing the laundry usually nets me about 4 or 5 cards of notes. That can amount to about 3 manuscript pages. (Note however that I usually have a lot of laundry.)
So let’s try this. Today, as you go about your day, try to actively think about the current WIP that you’re working on. Or one you think you might start one day. Again, not just the story or plot but actual phrases and words and descriptions. Keep it in the back of your mind.
Here’s the next thing to consider when you try this. How many times throughout the day does the voice of doubt pipe up?
Are you plagued with questions that your words or ideas aren’t good enough? That would be that backseat driver we spoke of earlier. Don’t get me wrong. The backseat driver is of huge benefit later on in this journey. During revisions. But right now, we’re talking about getting the story down. And we need to keep him or her quiet for the time being. The best way to do this is by acknowledging him/her. 
One method that I use is remind myself that this first go-around is a VERY rough draft. In fact, I don’t even call it a first draft. I often do my initial writing on an Alpha Smart Dana. So the first time I jot down the story, I think of it as my Dana draft. You can call it your legal pad draft. Or your Start draft. Whatever name resonates with you and lets your inner critic know that this is not the end product. So they should just quiet down already! Another writer friend basically does her first draft as a series of emails to herself. An ‘email draft’, so to speak.
My inner critic becomes convinced it’s not time for it to speak. She’ll get her chance during revisions. I tackle that phase one scene at a time. Here’s how – the first chance I get once the day starts, I read the scene I’m working on. Often with my morning coffee.
Then I go back to employing all the methods I use when getting that initial draft down. Throughout the day, I consistently try to think of that scene and the ways I’d like to change it when I get back to work.
This tends to make that backseat driver just happy and quiet enough.
In closing, I want to mention one last major point. An important piece to keeping your writing on a steady path is consistency. Write part of your story every day. Or every other day if that’s what your lifestyle demands. But I disagree that it’s a good idea to step away from your story when you’re frustrated or stuck. There’s too much of a temptation to stay away. So my advice is to keep with it till you get to type those two magical words:
The end.
Nina says,

"I have always been fascinated by paranormal fiction. At the same time, I’m a sucker for a good crime drama. You know, like the stories where an honorable and strong cop solves the mystery and defeats the nasty villain. I put those two loves together in my first book - Secrets of the Knight, available from Crescent Moon Press."

Secrets of the Knight
Blurb:
Several years ago life forced Thomas (Bo) Bowden to give up everything, including the woman he loves, and take refuge on a Caribbean island. Little did he know, he was taking the first step to fulfilling his mystical destiny.

Nicole Balian has come to the small island of Trenado to find a missing teenager. She's shocked to the core to find her former lover instead. And the attraction between her and Bo is as strong as ever.

Working together to solve the unexplained disappearances plaguing the island, they find themselves in a frightening world of voodoo and magic. Trenado's history is shrouded in supernatural mystery. The danger they face serves to reignite their love. But as Bo fights an ancient evil that haunts the island, will Nicole be able to save the man she loves? Or will she lose him once again, this time forever?

Buy Link:
Nina jade Singer on the Web:
Website       Facebook     Twitter
One lucky commenter will receive Secrets of The Knight today. Followers and commenter’s of the blog tour will go in the grand draw of an Amazon Gift Certificate of US$100.00!

Nina will be with Kylie Griffin, Paranormal Author from 23rd November, see you there! For the full itinerary, check the AUTHOR PAGE!

33 comments:

  1. A witch by night, a beach vendor by day - fantastic!! I love your gorgeous aromatic rose-filled pink blog! Thank you for sharing these practical and inspirational writerly tips too.

    Good luck with Secrets of the Knight - sounds romantic and thrilling! Take care
    x

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  2. I scribble down notes throughout the day when I'm writing (I don't always write). You gotta act quickly to get those ideas that pop into your head or you may lose them. I'm with old kitty...you have a nice blog.

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  3. Hi Old Kitty and Michael Offutt!

    Thanks for coming along to read this post about Nina Singer and her awesome book, Secrets of the Knight, which I won at RomCon!

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  4. Nina, I love your advice, because regretfully I'm one of those writers who has to wordsmith a section to a certain level of polish before I can go on--and I know that's not the right way to go. For my second book I'm allowing myself a little less censorship. I couldn't quite let go of the control thing all at once, but I'm on my way. :)

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  5. Hi Michelle,

    Thank you for coming along to read this post and your comment!

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  6. I edit as I go. Boo on me. Sometimes I can throw caution to the wind though and just write. I love those days.

    Love the tips. They're wonderful. Thank you for them. *waving*

    Secrets of the Knight sounds like a supernatural love story. Exciting Nina!!!!!!

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  7. Love the idea of a witch working as a fortune teller along a boardwalk. While I don't keep index cards in every room, I do the same thing. It's amazing what the mind comes up with when we're involved in the mundane.

    Great posts (this and the previous one)!

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  8. A very interesting post. It's always fascinating to find out about new books from an author.

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  9. I scribble down notes throughout the day and type them into my phone, as well. I also email tidbits of stories to myself.

    Fantastic post. I appreciated the tips and advice.

    Secrets of the Knight sounds brilliant.

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  10. This is so true - seeing just one simple scene can spark stories in our heads.

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  11. I think I go through times of being a really productive writer, and times of... well, kind of stinking at it. I really feel best when I KNOW my time was used as productively as possible, though!

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  12. Fantastic post - anything to play down the inner critic is great! Good luck with Secrets of the Knight.

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  13. Gotta love it when great ideas come to us like that. I also try to keep a notebook at hand because whenever I don't, that's when the idea will strike ;)

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  14. Love the ideas for productivity, Nina. I need to be better at this. I write post-its & stick them to my computer, but often ignore them.

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  15. Hi Old Kitty.
    Thank you for stopping by and for your nice comment about the blog. I'm so glad to hear you thought the tips were inspirational!
    Nina

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  16. Hi Michael
    I agree! Sometimes all I have time for is a quick scribble. But it's down on paper and I know where it is. Thanks for your comment!
    Nina

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  17. Hi Michelle,
    Sometimes I can't help it either. I often get caught up in trying to polish and re-polish as well. But if I do it too long I start to get frustrated that the story has stalled. Soooo want to avoid that frustration.
    Thank you for stopping by!
    Nina

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  18. Hi Robyn.
    If editing as you go works for you... you can't knock what works, right?!
    I'm so glad you stopped by and thank you for the nice comment about the post!
    Nina

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  19. Hi Raelyn.
    I really appreciate your comment. Thank you for reading the post (and the previous one).
    Nina

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  20. Hi Olga.
    Thanks for taking the time to stop by and for you nice comment!
    Nina

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  21. Hi Medeia.
    I love the thought of emailing notes to yourself!
    Thanks for reading the post and for commenting.
    Nina

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  22. Hi Trisha,
    I'm so glad you stopped by the post. Thank you for the comment!
    Nina

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  23. HI Peggy.
    I often feel that way myself!
    Thank you for stopping by and for your comment.
    Nina

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  24. Hi Talli.
    Thanks so much for the nice comment. I really appreciate it!
    Nina

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  25. Hi Lynda,
    I tried to keep a notebook by my bed for a while even. But I was always too tired at night and too groggy in the morning to actually write much. : )
    Thanks for your comment!
    Nina

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  26. Hi MPax.
    It's really funny - but I'm less likely to ignore an index card than a postit. Don't even know why. Maybe they look more official to me or something.
    Thanks for the comment!
    Nina

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  27. Cool...a witch by night and a fortune teller by day. Very cool way to use your vacation setting in your story.

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  28. My inner critic won't leave me alone, which is why it takes much longer for me to do my first drafts than ever!

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  29. Great idea - I always love the moment, after I've first started drafting a story, when the characters take over my head, and come with me everywhere throughout the day!

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  30. Every day before I walk the dog, I make a conscious effort to figure out what question in my wip I need to figure out. Almost always I'll have the answer by the time I get home. Sometimes I'm tempted to take several walks a day, if the poor dog could take it. :)

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  31. Thinking through everything I'm going to write helps me tons! Although folding clothes helps me to think, I can't say the actual job itself has ever lent itself to several note cards of notes, though. :) That's seriously impressive!

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  32. Hi Friends,

    Thanks for dropping in and chatting with Nina!

    We'll be announcing winners soon!

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  33. The winner of Nina Jade Singer's Secret of the Knight is....Lynda R Young!

    Congratulations Lynda! Please contact nina@ninasinger. com regarding your win!

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