Get in a regular writing class. Find a great teacher near you and go every week. Also, get psycho-therapy and tape-record your sessions and use that as writing fodder.
>Is there more of a career in online writing such as in blogging or advertising? Or is it a better idea to work towards publishing books? Do you do work outside of your writing? Or do you make money from it?
I made my living as a writer from 97-2007, but have worked other jobs since. It is very difficult to earn a living as a writer.
I usually earn a few hundred dollars a month from my writing.
Just write and let your curiosity about things dictate what you write.
Books or blog don’t matter as long as you are writing and building connections with other writers.
I love to go 12 step groups. It is great way to connect, network, grow for everything. Choose a vice that is yours.
>I have things rattling around in my head all day, and i barely have time to jot down anything much less concentrate and write
Get a Sony digital recorder. I never leave home without it. I put down my dreams etc and upload the files to my google drive and I can access them anywhere. I just use it for inspiration, to jump start. I tape my readings to my class and their feedback. I journal every day, just force myself to pour things out in a jumble. First draft is most raw. I try to capture my crazy thoughts on my recorder or journal and sculpt ’em later
>I think i read that you’re single? How do you find your writing effects your relationships? Do you have to avoid certain subjects for friends and family?
I am single. It winnows, narrows things. My family is in Australia. They’re pretty tolerant.
>So do you write with grammar, punctuation etc or do you just work to get down your thoughts when handwriting? I’ve been so used to writing for school I tend to get hung up on the editing process once I’ve written something and read it to death, changing it little bits each time. Do you find it better/easier/more popular when you write about your own past experiences, everyday experiences/thoughts/ideas or political controversial opinion related topics? Do you prefer one over the other? How do you feel about fiction writing? Pop novel and the like?
I prefer, at the moment, writing memoir.
Not many public policy issues I am expert in, ergo, I don’t feel the need to write on that.
I am perhaps best at interviewing others.
I love fiction, but have not written much of it.
Hand writing is best for the first draft, for finding your emotional truth. I have no concern for grammar and punctuation when I am creating. I just write it all out and then come back later and edit, but one should never create and edit at the same time.
