Discovering Writer Me

Self-discovery is the unexpected benefit to writing. Being creative on demand requires you to know how you work and what gets the words flowing. Over the years, I’ve discovered a few things about my writing process. I can’t work with writing software. I’ve several different ones but for a reason I haven’t discovered, they don’t work for me. My suspension of why leads me to the next thing I’ve discovered about myself: I am a global writer. I need to see the whole picture of my novel.

I’ve discovered that although I consider myself a tech girl, my writing life is better with as little tech as possible. Give me a poster board, a spiral notebook, some Post-it notes, a mechanical pencil and a black ballpoint pen. The only tech I need is my Mac so I can actually write the novel and do research.

This year, I made a new discovery, although I feel a little silly calling it a discovery. I’ve known it all along, but I never really acknowledged the truth.

I am an autumn writer.

Something about turning leaves, cooler temperatures, and pumpkin flavored everything inspires me. I feel cozy and invigorated. No other season does that for me. I feel more alive in the fall than in any other time of year. And my words flow freer during this time, whether it’s blogs, journaling or novels.

In contrast, I cannot write in the summer. Something about that season makes me want to go outside and play. I guess the adult me hasn’t relinquished the carefree laziness summer. I don’t want to create, I want to watch storm clouds roll in and breezes rustling green-leafed trees.

Now that I know this about myself, I will pay more attention to how the seasons impact my life. Winter and spring are up next. Wonder what words will flow out of them…