What are you writing about now?

TO THE WRITERS OF TTF:

The road goes ever on and on. We'd like to sit and write each day,
but ever life sees so much happen, seems we're thwarted every way.

Yet we must make space, place and time to find the ways to move along,
banishing all those distractions; letting them rule would just be wrong.

Intentional we all must be in working toward our final goal
and breathing life into our work, insuring it reveals our soul.

Along the way let's not forget our fellow writers, working too,
cheering all to keep on going, encouraging to make it through.

Our writing is no easy task, though so much joy it always brings
our help to one another may insure the work gets done, and sings.

The road goes ever on and on; when at its end the day is won,
we'll review the pathway taken, thankful because of the great run.

COMPILED WRITING TIPS:
(A couple new ones have been added. This list will be updated as more tips come in. If I’ve missed any already offered, let me know.)

- Be intentional about your writing at every phase, in every way. (Ent)

- Don’t try to go “all in,” doing it all at once. Leads to burnout. Start with smaller steps. Spread the work days. Build the disciplines. (Ent)

- Hold your feet to the fire. Put your writing days on the calendar. If a day must be skipped, reschedule it rather than just letting it go. (Ent)

- Set up a consistent space for your writing. Quiet, protected from distraction, comfortable and clear of clutter. Insure others know when you’re there, you’re ‘unavailable’. (Ent).

- Couple ‘doing’ something with entering the writing space/time. Example: one member associates Earl Grey tea with the writing process, so restricts enjoyment of Earl Grey to entering into the writing time. This links Incentive, Action and Intention, building the mindset. (Maedhros_Nelyafin)

- Carry a notebook of some kind with you at all times, to record your ‘flashes’ of thought. Otherwise many of them will be lost. (Ent)

- When needed, change your surroundings for inspiration or different perspective. Find quiet ‘alternative spaces/ways’ to spur creativity and jot notes or write. (Halasian)

- Use a phone “Notes App” or send yourself emails, as your ever-present ‘notebook’. (Halasian)

- When at work, keep an email window open to make notes when inspiration hits. (Halasian)

- Create a ‘custom Tolkien dictionary’ to use with your word processing to help with correct spelling. (Halasian)

- Find a quiet space to “act things out” to help visualize the scene, surroundings, events, and get into your character’s head, behavior, movements, and more. A darker space may help with the visualizing. (Fingon_Findelkano)

- Find out what kind of writer you are.
--- Are you better at outlining then writing? Or writing so the outline doesn’t steer you in spite of alternate flashes of insight?
--- Are you better at writing speedily to get the thoughts on paper, editing later? Or at taking it a little slower, doing some editing as you go?
- Every aspect of writing has various ways of being handled, including pre-planning. There is no ‘one right way’. There is YOUR way. To maximize effectiveness, maximize your way. (Ent)

- Try to keep to a set time for your writing. When are you freshest and most creative? What time is most suitably free from distraction? Couple it with your ‘set days’ and jot it in the calendar. (Ent)

- Don’t be slavish about set days and times. Be intentional but without chains. Don’t beat yourself up over adjustments as life happens. It’s about insuring progress, not deadening routine. (Ent)

I've just started writing my own set of wargaming rules. Its a skirmish game (meaning only about 5 miniatures a side) set in a fantasy Napoleonic era apocalypse (Napoleocalypse?)
If it works out, I hope to publish it somehow.

Aethelwulf said:

I've just started writing my own set of wargaming rules. Its a skirmish game (meaning only about 5 miniatures a side) set in a fantasy Napoleonic era apocalypse (Napoleocalypse?)
If it works out, I hope to publish it somehow.

Click to expand...

Sounds interesting!

Aredhel Ar-Feiniel said:

Sounds interesting!

Click to expand...

It is, writing wargaming rules is quite fun. You have to work out the rules for everything, from movement, to investigating clues, and how its going to be different to other games. If its done properly, you end up with a fun game to play. If not, you just waste your time.

I'm meaning tabletop wargames, where you build the terrain, and paint your little miniature armies. Not any kind of computer game wargame (Just wanted to make that clear).

Well. Ent joined @Maedhros_Nelyafinwë this morning in preparing a tea as he entered his space. Ent loves a good English Breakfast Tea, but rarely has one. Now it will be part of the preparation for writing. Thank you..!

That said, it strikes Ent this thread can be used not only for sharing what writing we're workin on, and words of encouragement, but perhaps a place to share our struggles as well. And as he sat to focus last night (and again this morning) his own great internal struggle rose to life again. So he'll share it just to get it 'out there' ... for no reason other than to have said it.

In short... Ent always feels very selfish when considering doing his own works. His life has always been one devoted to helping others - and there are many he can yet help with their works, through editing. He enjoys editing, too.

His own projects are going to be very intricate, complex and time consuming. And for who's benefit? Only his own. This hardly seems justifiable to him.

There are many ways to write. Self-satisfaction could come through just sticking with the occassional poem or verse, maybe finishing a few of the others he's listed and set aside in the past. Too, more Wikis could be written and revised... and these not only meet Ent's desire to learn more deeply of Tolkien, but help others who may be benefitted by the Wikis.

Even writing the essays Ent targeted long ago and still has the background for, perhaps for the Library of the Istari or something, is available, again perhaps providing for others' learning along the way.

So... why his own works? For what purpose? Once started, they will be nearly "all consuming" for his remaining years.
Yet these books flashed upon him like a lightning bolt. How can he ignore them?

So... there is Ent's greatest difficulty. Always has been. How is it best to use his few skillsets for the benefit of all. Especially when every aspect of the work is personally fulfilling. What tips the scales between "self and other" for him.

No response to this is needed... just using the thread as a 'safe space' to get thoughts out of his head.

Ent said:

Well. Ent joined @Maedhros_Nelyafinwë this morning in preparing a tea as he entered his space. Ent loves a good English Breakfast Tea, but rarely has one. Now it will be part of the preparation for writing. Thank you..!

Click to expand...

I'm so glad sharing my routine has helped you! And especially if you don't have English Breakfast often, you'll see it as like a treat and that could help your motivation and productivity.

Also, I did take your advice too Ent, and I didn't try to get up early for writing yesterday or today. Both yesterday and today are busy and so I needed the extra sleep, and I'm glad I didn't push it too hard. Tomorrow morning, though, I'll be back at it!

Ent said:

In short... Ent always feels very selfish when considering doing his own works. His life has always been one devoted to helping others - and there are many he can yet help with their works, through editing. He enjoys editing, too.

His own projects are going to be very intricate, complex and time consuming. And for who's benefit? Only his own. This hardly seems justifiable to him.

Click to expand...

I know you don't require a response to this, but I'm chiming in with my thoughts anyway! Even though you may feel like you're just writing for yourself, it may end up benefitting others regardless. If you do share it, it can bring someone else happiness, since if you're interested in a topic it's likely that someone else out there is too. And even if you don't share it, it's still helping to improve your writing skills, and taking time to do something for your own enjoyment also helps fill your tank so you do have the ability to pour out to others.

Maedhros_Nelyafinwë said:

I'm chiming in with my thoughts anyway!

Click to expand...

Thank you. Ent has been pondering for 3 1/2 hours on this now this morning... while dappling with some TTF posts (like this one) and dabbling at some editing.
The 'real' issue has begun to coalesce in his mind. He's been viewing this as an 'either or' situation, rather than a 'both, and' one.
The issue likely does not boil down to "whether" to write his own, but "what is the nature of the work being done".

The flashes of the books Ent currently got, wonderful and intricate as they are and could be made by a skilled author, may not be the kind of product Ent is intended to deliver. That is, it's not WHETHER he writes... it's WHAT he writes. What he writes, why he writes it, and how it is framed, written and delivered.

One thing is certain: The Characters of Tolkien: Who Are They and Why Did He Give Them To Us is distinctly still on the plate for consideration..!
As to the others, we will see.

Hum. Much more pondering to come. Thank you for sharing.

Good morning (where Ent is) Tolkien Writers. Another day to consider every word you write..! (It's not just the time on the projects. It's every time a word goes forth from your twigs. Uh... hands.)

Any progress, anyone? Hints, encouragements, suggestions, thoughts?

.. Ent's progress report: On his 'home front', he continues to probe the 'why' of his writing to be sure what the right direction, angle and order to proceed in is.
.. He's passed his works/ideas by a couple other authors, both of whom are very excited to see it all unfold, and are busily offering thoughts and suggestions.

. The ultimate purpose of the works, and how to drive them so they are productive for all and not just entertainment for Ent, is beginning to coalesce well.
.. But the order of production is likely going to need to change, given Ent's short years left... and ideas for a couple may end up being passed along to others to complete.. if he can find anyone who sees value in it and would take them on.

What a world, what a world.... it's all so fun.

Ent said:

Any progress, anyone?

Click to expand...

Not much progress over here- I've been very busy these past 3 days with work, my own birthday and my brother's birthday. We'll see if I can get any writing done today, but if not, tomorrow for sure!

Ent said:

He's passed his works/ideas by a couple other authors, both of whom are very excited to see it all unfold, and are busily offering thoughts and suggestions.

Click to expand...

That's really exciting! Good for you!

Maedhros_Nelyafinwë said:

We'll see if I can get any writing done today, but if not, tomorrow for sure!

Click to expand...

Great..!! And Ent would bet a good pile of tree fertilizer, your thoughts on your project didn't stop, and that's part of the 'not much' progress. Good you recognize that's progress too..!

Well, what a surprise. Just got a little more time on my current project, and as it expanded, discovered I need to change the title from The Ents and the Trees to The Lore of the Ents.

"Always in motion is the future." (Yoda). He failed to mention the present... but it probably didn't fit his need at the time.

I've got some Earl Grey brewing and am about to do some writing!

Maedhros_Nelyafinwë said:

I've got some Earl Grey brewing and am about to do some writing!

Click to expand...

Good luck!

Aredhel Ar-Feiniel said:

Good luck!

Click to expand...

Thanks! I didn't end up actually writing much; I mostly just reread stuff. My book is a 250,000 word monstrosity, and since I haven't touched it in months, there's things I've forgotten about. So I still count it as productive time.

Maedhros_Nelyafinwë said:

Thanks! I didn't end up actually writing much; I mostly just reread stuff. My book is a 250,000 word monstrosity, and since I haven't touched it in months, there's things I've forgotten about. So I still count it as productive time.

Click to expand...

Wow!
It's still good though!it gives you time to think about it before you write something!

Great @Maedhros_Nelyafinwë..! You bet it's productive..!
I've just had my first cup of English Breakfast, during which I worked on an artists concept rendering of my thoughts on a certain Sauron issue, and sent back some alteration/adjustment thoughts. Taking a break to brew another cup, peek at the Forum, then get into Lore of the Ents for a while again. There's potential for some decent time on it this morning... an unexpected surprise.

Well-aged Ent said:

Great @Maedhros_Nelyafinwë..! You bet it's productive..!
I've just had my first cup of English Breakfast, during which I worked on an artists concept rendering of my thoughts on a certain Sauron issue, and sent back some alteration/adjustment thoughts. Taking a break to brew another cup, peek at the Forum, then get into Lore of the Ents for a while again. There's potential for some decent time on it this morning... an unexpected surprise.

Click to expand...

That's awesome, sounds like you've had a productive morning too! That's so cool that you've got an artist working on concept art for you. One of these days I'd like to ask you about the publishing world, if you don't mind!

Maedhros_Nelyafinwë said:

That's so cool that you've got an artist working on concept art for you. One of these days I'd like to ask you about the publishing world, if you don't mind!

Click to expand...

Artist... Well...this other author I am editing for actually has the artist. However, he seems to like my concept, and has asked his artist to render it so we're exchanging and discussing early draft concepts. I really hope its first appearance will be in this book we're working on...there are excellent places to insert it along with his others.

Publishing world: color me clueless. I've never published anything. I'll be going to this same author, if anything ever comes out of my pen worthy of considereing passing toward the public in some way. He's already offered me that help.

Let's ponder together how we can find some general assistance from some who have published. There are various ways to do it... choosing the right method is the starting point.

The second cup of tea is brewed.
Time to settle into the mood
and over many new things brood.

We'll pray things work out very well,
no creativity we quell,
and all our machinations jell.