Reading time: About 2 minutes
Sarah WaterRaven says writing is no different from any other profession….
Sarah WaterRaven is an urban fantasy author who says she kills people and then distracts readers with pixies. She is the author of Detective Docherty and I Fell in Love with a Necromancer.
I was excited to talk to Sarah about how she approaches writing.
Q. Roughly how much time do you spend writing every day?
I have a schedule for myself to write on certain days of the week. I typically write for one to three hours on those days. As a self-employed author, who also homeschools a young child, I may split those hours between morning and evening, but I always consider it a success if I get any writing done on a scheduled writing day.
Q. What’s a simple activity or habit that makes you a better writer?
Scheduling writing for specific days and making sure I have multiple devices to write on. Even on days where everything goes wrong and I find myself in bed with little-to-no word count, if I can pull out my phone and write a couple of sentences before I fall asleep, I am that much closer to finishing.
Q. What interferes with your writing?
Working from home with a young child. My son is wonderful and can entertain himself for long periods of time, but being young, he needs help with meals, snacks, and potty breaks etc., so even during times I have slotted for writing, I have to anticipate interruptions. I know this will get easier as he gets older and I try not to sweat it. If I have to ask my husband to take him to bed so I can get writing in, I know I will have that help and can set work aside until then.
Q. How do you persuade yourself to sit down to write on days when you really, really DON’T feel like doing it?
I listened to a podcast once where the guest said something along the lines of, “When you are self-employed, do one thing each day that either makes money or is working toward making money.” So, for example, when I open social media, I will pause and remind myself that I have to have more books out to promote them and make money. Once I’m refocused, I will pull up a playlist associated with my current work in progress, as well as any world-building and reference materials, and get my head back into writing gear.
Q. Is there a particular motto or saying that you’ve found helpful for writing?
I don’t have a specific quote from someone that keeps me motivated, though there are a lot of great ones out there. What motivates me is the absolute need to create. If I do not do it, I am the one who suffers.
Q. Which stage of the writing process do you enjoy the most: researching, writing or editing/rewriting and why?
Writing. Just watching the ribbon unravel as my story and characters come tumbling out. Other than holding a finished book in my hands, it has to be one of the best feelings in life.
Q. What’s one of the best books you’ve read (either fiction or non) in the last five years?
The Cruel Prince, The Fourth Wing, and the Seven Realms series.
Q. What book are you reading right now?
I’m currently reading Witch Hat Atelier, which is truly lovely.
Q. What do you think is the biggest misperception that new writers have about the act of writing?
That writing is different from any other profession. It’s not. If you want to make writing your job, you need to treat it like one. Schedule the time and sit down and do it.
