How I Write: Also Known Organized Chaos… Ok Just Chaos

Today, I am participating in a blog tour. This sounds so fancy. It is when bloggers write on the same topic over a period of time and share their posts. Kari Hoban of A Grace Full Life  asked me to be a part of this tour with her about writing. We had been admirers of each other for awhile.

The blogosphere is a weird place in that you can kind of become friends and learn a little about a person through her writing and becoming friends through different social media channels and blogging circles (you know, stalking). Kari and I kept finding ourselves in many of the same circles whether it be Chicago Parent or Listen to Your Mother. Finally, we met in person at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop in Dayton, and it was like we were writing sisters. So then we made THIS VIDEO and the rest is history.

How I Write.

1. What am I working on?
The short answer: my sanity. Currently, I write for Home Everyday, ChicagoNow, ChicagoParent, I am in the final stages of the writing program at Second City Training Center in Chicago which means I am writing (re-writing) sketches for a four week review to premier in June/July, and just like the mind of any writer my mind is always swirling and capturing and doing side projects.

 

I write in coffee shops, my dining room table, my couch.

Right now, I am on the edge. Not the edge you’re thinking… I am trying to find my medium. I know I love writing, but what does this mean? Do I want to continue blogging, if so, what kind? Do I want to continue writing sketch comedy? How? Should I keep my book ideas swirling around? Should I keep story telling like LTYM? Should I really try that open mic at The UP. How should I keep making anything and everything I write accessible? Can I do it all?

Then, the questions get too hard and I ask if the kids want to go to the park, because I know for sure right now that is something I want to do right now. They are only going to want to go to the park with me for a little while anyway.  I know eventually I will find my groove, and will have the time to do it. Slow and steady wins the race.

2. How does my work differ from others in its genre?
There is something to be said for creating your own genre. I started out trying to be the “next big DIY blogger.” Then I wanted to be the “next big comedy blogger.” After blogging for almost two years, I am really starting to find my voice (what can I say, I’m a slow learner), and I have realized that I really want to bring some life lessons and humor to home improvement. This is where I am hoping to come into my own, and create a place that is true to what we are living, but also that is relatable to my readers (and hopefully to the masses.) C’mon next hit comedy series (Idea: SAHM Like it Hot)!

 

First day of class last March!

3. Why do I write what I do?
I made a diagram for you because this is how my brain works, but basically there are a few things in this life that really bring me true and real joy. Home and Laughter. The End. Sure all the other things in life are nice too, but I don’t get the same thrill or pitter pat in my heart that some people do from seeing the world. When I say home I don’t mean the physical structure, while I enjoy that too, I mean more the HOME that is the all encompassing breaking bread with family and friends. The feeling. My husband, kids and I sharing this space at this time in our lives. Home. When I say laughter, I mean when you say something really funny to someone who really needs it and he or she really laughs. This is why I write about all things domestic, and this is why I (attempt to) write funny. However, it is just starting to dawn on me how I should combine the two.

 

4. How does my writing process work?
NOTE: Priorities – these are on a ranked based on deadlines, who is depending on me, what is paid, and do I have Second City homework. I prioritize based on who needs what first and then fill in projects or writing where I want on my blogs. As a writer, I find that I must write every day or else my brain is mush.

 

Writing after a kitchen injury.

NOTE: Eclectic Styles – (once I sort out my priorities) because I write in a couple different kinds of mediums, the process for each of those mediums varies a bit, but the basics are the same: Capture, organizing my thoughts, write, edit, actually publish, look it over once more.

1. CAPTURE:
DIY Project Writing – When I am thinking of inspiration I hit thrift stores, JoAnn Fabrics, Home Depot, or the SuperMarket for inspiration. I snap photos on my phone and capture the idea for a rainy day.
ESSAYS, BLOG POSTS – I often text myself, makes notes on scrap paper or journals, keep notes in my phone, or write things on word documents on my laptop as they pop into my head (usually while I am writing. Writing begets writing for me.) I have even written things in the fog on the mirror in the bathroom when I hop out of the shower. I don’t ever want an idea to float away from me. Then about once a month, I take all my texts to myself, notes, scraps of paper, and put them in my “MASTER DOCUMENT” this is in EVERNOTE. I sort them into where I think they belong. This is a good topic for DIY, this is a good topic for ChicagoNow, this would be a good chapter in a book, this is a good sketch idea. I keep these for a rainy day. Sometimes, I sit and sift through and weed out the garbage (Sitcom Idea: Phoenix Heat, Segway Cops) and keep the good stuff (Recipe Idea: Lemon Blueberry Bread).
SKETCHES – writing exercises like lists of ten, free writing, or mapping that I learned via Second City help capture ideas.

2. ORGANIZING THOUGHTS:
DIY Project Writing – I take pictures of the process and jot notes and I do the project to be written in the post later.
ESSAYS, BLOG POSTS – I try to sort everything I want or all the thoughts I can about the topic. Sometimes, this also may require a bit of research or asking questions or testing out some funny sentences on people to see if they laugh. This step I sometimes write out, sometimes I do in my head while I’m driving, lying in bed, or in the shower. This is trying to figure out everything I want to say regarding the idea I captured.
SKETCHES – this is the initial pitching stage of a sketch. The whole who, what, where, why, what’s funny of the idea I have rolling around in my head.

3. WRITING: I write everything I can or remember about something. Sometimes I set a timer, sometimes I don’t. It depends on how important the piece is, or how much detail I want to be added. If I do set a timer though, I usually don’t allow myself more than about a half hour.

4. EDITING: This is more than just typos, this is cutting the unessential or punching up.

5. ACTUALLY PUBLISHING: I am trigger shy and still very insecure about my writing. If a piece doesn’t have a deadline sometimes I will wait to publish when I am feeling more confident. However, most days I just bite the bullet.

6. LOOK IT OVER ONE MORE TIME: Sometimes I read through my finished piece one more time. I like taking advantage of that moment to be proud of myself, oh and check to see if I missed anything.

There we have it my organized chaos.
If you like this post and would like to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor, become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on FacebookTwitter, and Pinterest.

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