♫ Write it out now; the funk soul brother. Check it out now. The funk soul brother. ♫
It’s ironic. I’m about to embark upon a post all about writing, and I can’t think of an introduction. ‘Eh, beginnings are overrated anyway.
You might have already guessed, but if not, you should know today I’m joining a Blog Hop and answering some simple questions about my writing process. Thanks for inviting me Ms. Amanda; I’m fascinated you chose to pick my brain. You should be afraid; very, very afraid.
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1) What am I working on/writing?
My writing reach at present extends to my blog Clean Eats, Fast Feets, which encapsulates food, fitness, and my crazy. We have a good time, the three of us. I’ve got a handful of ideas for upcoming posts, which are embedded in my brain along with some bits and pieces etched onto paper or spoken verbally into the notes section of my iPhone. The latter are the most fun to decipher since Siri usually gets every third and fifth word wrong. It’s pretty clear to me Siri and I need to have a chat, or perhaps I need to enunciate more clearly.
Mental note: drinking and Siri do not mix. I knew she was a teetotaler.
Specifically, you should be on the look out for a post entitled ‘Ch-Ch-Changes.’ A title and a concept is all you need, right? Alright fine, I guess an introduction, not including today, a middle and an ending might be helpful too. Also on the horizon is a post proclaiming my love of getting all beast-zilla in the gym because damn endorphins make me happy. Last but certainly not least, I’ve got an incredible recipe for a Greek quiche to deliver. Confession: I don’t actually deliver, but if you come to my house, I will feed you.
2) How does my work/writing differ from others of its genre?
I consider my brand of funny to be, well, funny. My style is short, not in actual duration nor girth, but precise and choppy sentences. You will not get lost in the ebb and flow of my lyrical prose, although my run on sentences are another story altogether.
I also tend to write stream of conscious. When comes up and out of my strange little head usually makes it way onto paper or into a post, musical lyrics and all. ♫ Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing. Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing. ♫
Last, I subtract the audience from the equation. What I mean to say is if I thought about my stepmother reading the blog (hi there; love you), my boss, my coworkers, or even the Pretzel Guy at the farmers market, I’d end up presenting a much milder version of myself. You’d get the watered down Meghan, and nobody likes a wet blanket at the party, myself included so while their support means the world to me, and it truly does, I have to write like no one’s reading.
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3) Why do I write what I do?
I went to an all girls Catholic high school, where I had several good teachers and a Britney Spears-esque uniform, except I looked way better than Brit in it, although I always wore boxers beneath my skirt in addition to my regular undergarments. In hindsight, I have no idea why I felt the need to double up down there; maybe it was some sort of chastity belt, being at a Catholic school and all.
I’m missing the plaid skirt in this photo, although it is from high school.
I digress. While at school, there was one teacher, Sister Francis, who drilled into my head “write what you know.” It was her belief, and I concur, good and interesting writing stems from knowledge and experience. So it only makes sense for me to write about me. I also appreciate having a legit reason to continue my current self-obsession. Hubris is going to bite me in my non-ass ass one of these days. Until that time, I shall carry on… ♫ my wayward son, there’ll be peace when you are done. Lay your weary head to rest. Don’t you cry no more ♫). I did warn you my head is a weird place, with music a plenty.
4) How does my writing process work?
As a self-proclaimed morning person, I tend to do the majority of my writing in the a.m. On a normal workday, I get up a little bit past 5 a.m. and feed the felines, who would very likely attempt to eat me should I choose to ignore their incessant caterwauling. Once my three frisky and furry friends are satisfied, I sit down with a cup of coffee, at my dining room table and start clacking away or really clicking since I’m working with a standard laptop. If I’ve jotted down any notes, either on paper or stored within the recesses of Siri, I grab those and get busy.
While I do most of my writing in the morning, I tend to edit my photos in the evening, usually while pretending to relax and simultaneously watching some form of bad television. It can take me hours to pen a single post, and that doesn’t include the time I spend editing over and over and over again, so the more I break it up into sections, the better it is, for all parties involved.
While I’ve mentioned the actual time of day where I get all writey with it, not to be confused with jiggy with it, my creative spark is a different story. My very best posts come about when an actual sentence or a snippet of a sentence just hits me, generally out of the blue, when I least expect it. It’s my Eureka moment, where the heavens open and the angels rejoice. I might be exaggerating a wee bit; it’s been known to happen, but those pops of sentences are absolutely a light bulb moment for me. Unfortunately they usually strike when I’m in the shower or driving to work, which makes writing them down a tad bit difficult.
If I do manage to get that trigger sentence captured, all I have to do is start typing those same words and the rest just flows from there. It’s like magic, or perhaps my creative writing process, although I do like the sound of magic better.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
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Before I bid you a fond farewell, please give a wonderful round of applause for my other writing compatriots and fellow blog hoppers, who will be answering, if they haven’t already, these very same questions.
Arman is the Healthy Living Blogger Community’s answer to The Bachelor- except better. He wears the HLB crown with a stick of butter in his hand, a block of (full fat) cheese in his rucksack, more potatoes than Mrs. Potato Head had an affair with and enough bread in his freezer to feed the ducks (and humans) in Lake Geneva. While embracing the more vilified foodie items in blog world, Arman loves being creative in the kitchen experimenting with nourishing, healthy recipes and working to one day, make his arms NOT resemble a chicken. The biggest thing he prides himself on is being 100% authentic on his blog The Big Man’s World and is unafraid to tackle more taboo subjects and embrace butter like it’s going out of style. You can connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or pin his sexy face and claim it to be your breakfast. It wouldn’t be the first time.
Kirsten started her post-college career milking cows in southern Finland. After a stint as an OB nurse in the military where she traveled the world and fell in love, she found herself a stay-at-home mom with a frequently deployed spouse. Doing … well not ‘it all’ [no dusting] but ‘a lot of it’ independently comes naturally, which is why she is the chief worm wrangler and pizza paparazzi at Farm Fresh Feasts, a food blog whose mission is to provide practical support for local eating via indexed recipes (by ingredient, so you can figure out what to do with that kohlrabi in the farm share box!) and constantly improving photography. Click here for her post on writing.
Madison is a soon to be college junior with a special place in her heart for all things math. Oddly enough math also shares that space in the life-giving muscular organ with Madison’s love for baking. Aside from baking and math, she also spends an inordinate amount of time reading and watching movies. So much so that sometimes she knows more about the history of Harry Potter than she does about current events. One more activity that takes up a lot of Madison’s time is writing. In grade school she dreamed of becoming a best-selling author and wrote story after story for everyone in a mile radius to read. Fiction or non-fiction though, she adores them both. She first started blogging when she was in high school in a (fairly successful in the author’s opinion) attempt to connect with others interested in healthy living. When she discovered her food allergies during her senior year, and all of the health struggles that came along with them, Madison began writing on her current blog Eating for Balance. While school and internships prevent her from blogging as often as she’d like, she does her best to update at least once a week. On Eating for Balance you will find a wide range of allergy-friendly recipes and life stories always sprinkled with her characteristic over-analyzing (the math side) and sometimes rambling (the writer side) self.
Your turn. Answer any or all of the writing questions above: Why do you write what you write? How is it different from others? How does your writing process work?
I can’t get over how great your writing is…keep on keepin’ on lady I’m lovin it! Everytime I read your writing it’s like meeting you in person again and again and again! Love love love it! Pic Monkey…taking over my life, in a semi good way though I ABSOLUTELY LOVE it and have already edited quite a few photos! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with me!
Why thank you m’dear. I sure do appreciate the kind words. For real, you made my day because I certainly do try to capture the essence that is me (odor free mind you) in my writing and it sounds like I’m succeeding. I love to succeed. It’s a big deal for us competitive folks.
Anytime. I’m happy to share.
“Writing like nobody’s reading” LOVE.
Weirdly for me I’ve recently started writing at the end of the day but, similar to you, it’s always after a moment of random inspiration or thought that will lead me to jot something down to come back to later. Ultimately, I write for me. When I find myself writing because I feel I should, not because there is something I have to say, that’s when I give myself a mental slap/wallop and stop and wait till I can write for me again…
Pip {Cherries & Chisme} recently posted…{Reflections} Carve your own path
Those random, yet brilliant thoughts are crazy, right?!
Writing because you want to is just as important as writing like no one is reading. Well said.
I love your writing. Although I’ve never met you in person, I feel like I know exactly what you’d be like, because your writing has personality.
Seriously, I’m surprised you’re in finance as a career. You’re either just an over achiever at everything (in which case I don’t like you anymore), or you’re on the path to bigger and more creative pursuits.
caren recently posted…Comment on This is why I don’t do subscription boxes by Amanda @ .running with spoons.
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 My writing has personality; I like that. Scratch that, I love it. That just might be my most favorite compliment ever.
I’m an over achiever at everything, except softball. I hit like a girl, although I can throw a hardball just fine. I am also ridiculously clumsy and shuffle my feet when I walk, which general leads to more clumsiness.
I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve gotten hit by brilliance when I’m in the shower…. and apparently it’s a pretty common “problem” because there are waterproof notepads you can hang in the shower and write on — http://www.myaquanotes.com . Still not too sure how I feel about that though.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. flourless almond butter and jelly muffins .
What? That’s crazy. I think I need these; it would certainly stop me from jumping out of the shower mid stream so I can capture a thought.
Okay this was a fascinating post. I have no idea why but I really enjoy learning about why other people blog and hearing their method behind the madness. Though I suspect if anyone asked me I wouldn’t know what to say…it’s more of a compulsion for me. I think growing up with three overbearing siblings, I had to find some way for people to hear me? At least that’s what my therapist says LOL.
Also I went to an all-girls anglican school and we were a sailor-suit uniform. Look it up: http://www.bss.on.ca/ Totally a sailor outfit eh? And yes, I am aware I am Jewish ahah
Davida @ The Healthy Maven recently posted…Random Ramblings #14
I like your therapist. He sounds like a pretty smart guy, which really is something you want in a therapist.
Oh my god; you had to wear teeny little ties. No wonder you hate Harry Potter; it all makes sense now. Ask your therapist; I’m sure he’ll agree with me.
So basically, I really, really love your writing. As for writing inspiration, mine usually hits when I don’t have a pad of paper or anything even remotely nearby – in the shower, at the dog park, at the gym, on a walk, in the middle of the night….weirdly enough, whenever I’m completely disconnected from technology. Maybe I should take that as a hint?
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…Blend 2014: The People.
Oh that’s definitely a hint. One I think you should try to take advantage of yes? Booze helps too, so at least there’s always a back up plan.
These days a blog post takes me anywhere from 15minutes to over an hour to produce. The draft of it all is usually pretty quick, it’s my obsessive read through that takes forever. I am OCD about grammar and try to make sure I don’t come off like an idiot online. Otherwise I just write whatever I feel like! Keep doing what you’re doing man!
Brittany recently posted…Walnut Ginger Quinoa w/ Tofu & Bok Choy
15 minutes. Oh man, I am jealous with a lower case j. Sorry, had to buck tradition there. It’s my thing.
I got my CSA yesterday and I went to the farmers market today, which means I can’t wait to share my beautiful veggie goodness with you. Expect some IG messages soon because I know you’ll appreciate it.
Similar to what Davs said, I love reading the process behind your writing and especially from one of my favourite bloggers….shhh. When I read your posts, I often find the most random, yet (I hope!) sneakily placed innuendos… or that could just be my dirty birdie self.
I think the key to a good writer/blogger is NOT being surprised when you meet them in person- I think if someone ever said ‘you’re nothing like you are on your blog’ then I would probably be offended. My notepads have so many one liners on there for blog post inspiration….
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…[Healthy] Cake Batter Oatmeal Pudding
My writing is filled with innuendos. I’m just glad other people are able to spot them, such as yourself.
I agree whole heartedly. I try to put myself and my personality in every post, and it sounds like it’s coming across loud and clear. Hooray.
Anytime we get a chance to peek inside your head I know I’m going to love it… even if you won’t deliver me quiche (just another excuse for me to come to Cleveland right?).
I love how open you are about everything here because I can actually picture you at your table, cats whining for attention, typing away while occasionally humming to yourself and I love that you can always create that kind of imagery 🙂
I wish I had the patience to edit posts, I do a quick check for formatting and it publish hoping I spelled all the words right the first time (I sometimes go back later if I find really bad typos but not always… shhh).
Sarah Pie recently posted…5 things I learned about life from a dog
That’s a great reason to come to Cleveland.
Thanks for the kind words. They really do make my day and my weekend. It’s so nice to hear that I’m setting a scene with words.
No editing…gasp. 🙂
♫ Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing. Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing. ♫
Love it!!
I love your writing style… I giggle as I read. I know what you mean about writing as if no one is reading!
I’m so glad you like the ebb and flow or lack thereof of my self-proclaimed witty prose. Thanks for stopping by; hope to see you again on the blog. 🙂
What a great post. I absolutely love your voice as a writer, and really enjoyed hearing more about your process. “Write what you know.” So simple, yet so spot on.
I write about traveling, because that’s what I know. All of my writing (be it blog writing, academic papers or freelance stuff) is all written in one sitting, with heavy editing as I go. I never edit anything after I’ve finished it, and barely used to proofread at all (bad habit that I’m trying to break, especially now that people pay me to write things sometimes).
Tara @ Rovin’ Rambler recently posted…Yangon
Thank you Tara; your comment means so much to me.
I proofread my posts like a zillion times, and I usually read them out loud another zillion, and yet I always miss something. Rats.
I think I don’t really brake a secret when I tell you that I absolutely love your writing style! You’re so damn funny and I often catch myself laughing out loud when I read one of your posts. But what I really really love is the fact that you never say something in the shortest way possible but tell a tiny extra bit here and there. That actually makes me feel better about going into all the glory details myself 🙂
Can anybody tell me please why the shower is such a phantastic place for having epiphanies? I had one about my thesis last week mid-shower!
Juli @ 1000lovelythings recently posted…The Whole30 – Where I come from
Aw thanks Julie!! If you’re laughing out loud, then I have succeeded.
Wait, there’s a short way to tell a story. Oh crap. 🙂
Dude. This post is badass. I am inspired by the “write like no one’s reading” idea. This is going to keep in my brain for a good long while.
Cheers!
Lindsey @HalfDimeHomestead recently posted…Good Mama Monthly
Thanks Lindsey. I had a good time writing this one. That’s always a good sign. 🙂
I’m sorry but I don’t blog hop. I blog shuffle. like the cupid shuffle, but better.
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…Why I don’t regret doing Whole30
Everyday we’re shuffling….
I love reading your blog! You are hilarious. I like to think I’m funny, but I think it comes out more in my mannerisms and facial expressions than my writing.
Megan @ The Skinny-Life recently posted…Why Blogging Isn’t a Fish Bowl
Thanks Megan. I always love getting compliments. 🙂
Yes facial expressions can say so much, can’t they?!
Meg? I think I’m broken. I still want to write but…I don’t know…I just need more time or ohhhh, how about an apprentice to do all my writing for me? Like a real-life Siri? Could you do me a favor and look into that for me? In the meantime, I’ll just be over here staring at iPhoto waiting for inspiration to strike. Ugh…
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli recently posted…If There Were More Time…
You’re not broken. You just need a break. Walk away from Siri and forget about blogging. Before you know it, you’ll be itching to write again.
This was such an interesting post. I really appreciate your advice- write like nobody is reading. I’ve never though of that before but now hearing it it seems so obvious. Definitely a big part that I’m going to take away from this one. Keep up your awesome writing, girl!
Alisha @ Alisha’s Appetite recently posted…Almond Lime Sauce {Spring Roll Sauce and Cold Veggie Noodle Sauce}
Why thank you! I think letting go of the audience keeps you genuine and grounded. At least it does for me.
Meghan recently posted…Thinking Out Loud and All Over The Place