There is no particular time or place for writing – it happens when it suits you best and everyone has his or her individual approach. I drink a lot of coffee, the think drink.  My favorite of late is a mocha blend.  I have two dogs who can be pretty distracting, but only when someone comes to the front door. They’re couch potatoes the rest of the time.

I listen to music during the writing process, but it has to embody the kind of story unfolding. I write a few hours in the morning, take a break, and then repeat the same amount in the afternoon. I don’t worry about word or page counts because initially it makes my books seem like near impossible future events. Toward the end of every book, it seems counterproductive to spend too much time looking at word or page counts due to the frustration of being so close to the finish line. I think it’s more important to concentrate on the story itself. Everything else is secondary and generally falls into place.

I use a method that sort of developed itself. I call it the triple threat. You have to establish where and how the story begins. Somewhere about halfway, there will be a turning point that is dictated by the story and finally there must be an end. Once that has been accomplished, I create a loose outline that only confines itself to the triple threat. All the rest comes out as the story progresses. I believe that like life, you can’t dictate what happens with every twist and turn. Spontaneity is the spice that makes a better book.

I create characters that are based on people I know. The descriptions are far more robust. Most, if not all the stories I have written came from vivid dreams, sometimes complete with plots, sub-plots, and titles. I try not to worry with how long a book should be or how many chapters, as it interferes with what’s most important, the story.

My writing space is an office with a rather large desk and an oversized, wall hung monitor which gives me extra space on the desk itself. That leads to clutter but somehow translates to a higher level of inspiration. I guess that makes me a slob, but a highly inspired one!

If I were to give any advice to others considering this undertaking I would say, don’t think about how much time it will take to write your book. Try not to push yourself to write for long periods of time each day. What works best for me is to write every day if the inspiration is flowing. Take frequent breaks and don’t let anything get in the way of finishing. Life will take its toll along the way, but never quit. The book will be finished when it’s ready.

I think patience is the greatest thing that writing has taught me. Life takes the rest of your lifetime and the book you’re writing will only take a part of it. When all is said and done, the writing becomes a person’s legacy and that cannot be taken away.

Solitaire

www.solitaireparke.com