Writing Rituals with Pembroke Sinclair

Writing Ritual by Pembroke Sinclair

Every writer has their own ritual when it comes to writing. Some outline every chapter before starting, while others just have a general idea in their mind. When I first started seriously writing (waaaay back in high school, over a decade ago), I used to write everything out long hand. I had a notebook, a mechanical pencil, and a square pink eraser. Back then, I could take those things everywhere with me, so I always had the chance to write. (Plus, when you’re writing in class instead of paying attention, it still looks like you’re taking notes. I never had a teacher question what I was doing!) When I finished a chapter or actually had the opportunity to get to the computer, I would do revisions as I typed. As I got older and technology got smarter, this routine didn’t work for me anymore. It became tedious to write everything out, and it started hurting my hand. Since I could take a computer practically anywhere, that’s what I did. Although, I still keep a notebook on me in case I don’t have a computer or I don’t have the opportunity to use it.

My routine for writing now is to sit down at the computer and (hopefully) finish one chapter. I try to keep my chapters between 10 and 15 pages, so, really, it’s not that hard of a feat (although some days I would argue this statement). Sometimes, I’m really lucky and get to write two or three chapters! I open a new Word file for each chapter, then when I’m done, I print each out, 3-hole punch it, and place it in a binder. Since I know the book is going to have to go through revisions, I think it’s easier dealing with each chapter separately rather than a 250-300 page file. When I think I’m close to my final version, I will bring each chapter into one file and put my title page on. I then print it out again, give it another read, and make any edits it needs. After that version, I hand it off to other readers for their input, usually punched and bound in a 3-ring binder.

I don’t normally work from an outline. I have a general idea of the story in my head, and I let the characters take me from one chapter to the next. I normally do my best writing in the morning, but I don’t always have that option. With two kids in the house under 5, I write when I get the chance, which is usually when they go to bed. Although, if inspiration strikes, I will try to get my ideas down wherever and however I can. What about you? What is your writing ritual?

Writing History by Pembroke Sinclair

The other day, I was reading a post my cousin had put on his Facebook page. He commented on how he was freaking out because he had to write a 3-page report for a class (he’s a junior in high school). I couldn’t help but laugh. As someone who writes at least 250 pages for one novel, 3 seems like a drop in the bucket. I told him that if he was worried about 3 pages, he had a big surprise ahead of him. After that, though, I started thinking about my writing past.

Most writers will tell you that they have been writing for as long as they can remember, and I am no exception. I remember in third grade I wrote a story about a horse and a ghost (I don’t remember the details), along with illustrations, and the teacher enjoyed it so much she had it laminated. I also remember going to visit my grandma in Iowa and sitting down at her electric typewriter and writing stories. They were crap so I never finished any of them, but I was always creating something. When I got to high school, I really started getting interested in writing, both fiction and nonfiction, and I did very well. In my sophomore English class, we were learning a new way to critique papers based on a point system. The numbers ranged from 1 to 5 (1 being the lowest rating) and focused on content, clarity, organization, and some others I don’t remember. The teacher would put papers up on the overhead projector, and we had to rate them. Most of them were just terrible. Anyway, I remember one day, my paper was up there (of course, no one knew it was mine because my name had been removed, but I knew). To my surprise, my classmates ranked my paper with fours and fives (I didn’t, but you’re always your own worst critic!). My confidence was boosted, and I really got into writing.

One of my friends on the swim team considered herself a writer, and I read a few of her stories. They weren’t bad, but I thought I could do better. We declared a contest, where we would both write a story, and the other swimmers would be the judge. Neither one of us finished, but I continued to write (I don’t know if she did or not). My first novel was actually the first novel I had published, though it wasn’t ready for many, many years (as with most first novels, it took me over 10 years to finish). As I think back on the process, I know I can’t laugh at my cousin who hates to write 3 pages. Writing is a tedious process. Most people don’t want to waste the time or energy.

Writing is a skill that has to be learned, and it has to be practiced. I was a good writer when I was younger because I wrote. When I got to college, I had a love/hate relationship with writing (I still have that relationship with writing). Since writing is a subjective field, every English teacher I had expected something different out of my papers. It was frustrating trying to figure out what that was. I even had some teachers completely shake my confidence when it came to writing (I like to write sci fi, fantasy, and horror and they thought it was beneath them to grade it), and I actually quit writing fiction for a long time. Even when I focused on nonfiction, I wasn’t very consistent, but I didn’t stop doing it. I knew that eventually I would be able to write what I wanted, both fiction and nonfiction, and I learned a lot in the process.

Even today I try to stretch my writing horizons. I try to write every day, even if it’s just on my blog. I also try to do both fiction and nonfiction because they require different writing styles and skills. There is also a difference in writing short stories and novels, so I dabble in both. I also really appreciate feedback I get back from other writers/readers. Writing is an art that can constantly be improved, and the only way to do it by practice. What is your history with writing?

Read more from Pembroke Sinclair at www.etreasurespublising.com or find her on Amazon, located here.