What Kind Of Writer Are You?

The other day I got you to reflect a little on what type of reader you are and today I want to examine your writing habits. Have a look at the six questions below and I will include my own answers next to each one. Let’s compare answers.

Are you a reflective writer or an impulsive one?

Do you plan everything in great detail or fly by the seat of your pants?

Whether you write on paper or type on a screen, every writer finds their own way to capture their ideas and conjure up incredible stories. It would be fun to take a moment and reflect upon how we as individuals write and perhaps consider how others choose to do so at the same time.

1) Do you write with a pen or by typing on a keyboard?

I used to be a pen and paper guy but these days I type everything on my iPad. If I’m busy or tired then I may just type a paragraph or two at a time but at least it saves the work as I go along and I can easily add more detail later or quickly delete a passage if I feel like it. From past experience, I know that writing my ideas on paper can lead to me not being able to make much sense of them later.

2) Do you have a favourite place to write?

I am usually able to write just about anywhere but my absolute favourite place is lying down on the sofa. I like to be comfortable when I’m being creative and most of my best ideas seem to come to the forefront when I am totally relaxed, which usually happens in my living room.

3) Are you an impulsive writer?

Yes is the simple answer. If I am feeling inspired when I’m out and about, then I have to write my ideas down straight away using anything I can get my hands on to make a note of them before they vanish from my brain. Often I text myself a thought so that I can return to it later, developing it into a paragraph when I get home.

4) Do you like to plan your whole narrative in advance?

Many people like to have detailed plans to refer to when writing a story, but I actually prefer making it up as I go along. I love just starting to type and seeing where my imagination will end up. After I have reached the main event in a book, I do start to track through my work to make sure I haven’t missed anyone out. I try not to have secondary characters who don’t have much to do. I’d much prefer that they keep recurring in a story, rather than being in one chapter and never returning.

5) Are you a night writer?

Who isn’t? It fits the stereotype of a struggling writer, kept awake by their incredibly niggling stories that are aching to be told.

In all honesty I find myself writing at all times of the day. If an idea is swirling around in my head then I can’t relax fully until I have found a way to get it recorded, either on my iPad or on a spare piece of paper. I’ve even been known to write on the back of envelopes which still contain unopened mail.

6) Do you have a favourite writing snack? Or is writing your food?

For me, I love to have a cup of tea freshly made, when a I am trying to get into my writing. A couple of ginger biscuits to dip into the hot drink and I am off into another world; the place where fiction unfolds.

Some people say no to eating and drinking whilst on the job but for me writing is a pleasurable activity and so having a few treats while I do it can only make it more enjoyable.

I hope that you found this post fun and had a go at the questions yourself. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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