I’m about to become one of the thousands of migrating Victorian country folk as I start the rather new routine of catching a train to work. Aside from the fact that I’m only slightly terrified, it’s a situation I’m actually happy to comply with since it’s the perfect opportunity to get on with some serious writing. I’ve been muddling over the dilemma of working on The Secret Diary without the ability to save to computer for some time. Although the solution may seem blatantly obvious it’s been more or less a problem of aquisition rather than execution.
I’ve finally assembled my writing kit. It isn’t anything elaborate but it will enable me to get a few words down in the time I have trundling along to the city (my trip is comparatively short to that of one of my fellow writers). I’ve bought an exercise book with a hard cover for sturdiness (this also helps as it’s something to lean on), a new pen (and that alone can be enough to get me writing, just for the feel of it) and a highlighter. I’ll add a small thesaurus somewhere along the line, but it’s certainly not essential.
As the materials suggest, I’ll be writing long hand with the intent of transposing to my home computer later. Not a new concept for me since it’s how I started out writing, but I take pride in knowing it’s a leaf out of Philip Pullman’s book – no pun intended. Once happy, because I tend to edit during that phase, I will print out copies to edit even more. As much as I would dearly love to get my hands on a Notebook, for the moment this is the best way for me to at least get on with writing.
I also see this as good reading time and although it can be tempting to use it for just that purpose exclusively I feel it’s essential that I get stuck into the writing. It’s been three months since I started my new job and my writing has suffered substantially. I’m going to have to get back into books aimed at my target audience since the plot has changed and the result of that is an older age level for my novel. Even so, I enjoy YA fiction so it won’t be any great sacrifice.
Oh that brings back memories of my eight year bus journey to and from work with students hacking and coughing all around me and spreading their germs all over the place. I used to sit there for half an hour each way frantically scribbling in my Moleskine notebook only to find when I got home I couldn’t read most of it, due to the jerking of the bus (and the students). In this way I nearly wrote my novel. When it all got to much I said ‘to hell with the money’ and gave up. I now write at home and have no colds. No money either, but at least I can read what I write. Good luck with it – writing on trains is much easier than busses and the germs don’t seem to be so invasive. Have fun, that’s what writing’s all about. Ali
Thank you, I’m very much looking forward to establishing this new routine. No quite as hazardous as bus travel, but I’m sure there will be plenty of sneezing/coughing passengers – especially at this time of year.
And you’re absolutely right! Writing is fun and it’s meant to be fun, other wise what’s the point??
All the best for your own writing too.
I’m so excited that you’re to become a travelling writer too. Yay! It’s done wonders for my writing…and reading! I love it. It’s a shame about the time I have to get up and the time I get home though. Anyway, I’m sure you’ll find a new routine in no time flat, especially when you see results.
Oh, one other thing…you are very naughty making us wait so very long for an update. Shame on you.
Oops, yes I know, I’ve been very bad. It’s getting back into the swing of going out to work. But there’s really no excuse when it comes to writing.
I may not be getting the writing done on the train as planned but I’m managing to squeeze in a little under an hour when I get to work before my boss gets in. So in the end it’s all good.