An Empowered Spirit Blog Post

Sharing My Writing Process

By Cathy Chester on May 1, 2014

When I first read my friend Connie McLeod's question asking whether I'd be interested in joining a group of blogger friends to answer the question, "What is your writing process?" my first reaction was to laugh. Why?

I don't think I have don't have an actual writing process.

writing

But I do love talking about writing, and I also enjoy learning from others about their process. So I thought I'd dive, head first, into shaky waters to perhaps discover what my process is. Let's see what we find!

WHY DO I WRITE WHAT I DO?

I write to marry two things I love: writing and advocacy.  I've always loved to write but never had enough time for it.  When I entered my fifties I thought  it was time to make room for my passions. I thought I'd begin by writing about myself and the world around me, to use my voice through the written word.

As a child I was very shy, and to some extent I still am.  But somehow when I write, I am able to express my authentic self in ways I never imagined I'd be able to do.

One more important reason why I write what I do: After my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis at the age of twenty-eight, I met many kind and compassionate people who showed my family and me unconditional love. Today my mission is to repay those kindnesses by paying it forward, trying to help others struggling with disability.  Using my voice through writing is my way of doing this. One post at a time.

HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE?

Whether I'm writing about disability, midlife, wellness, animal rights, social good, movies or books, it is written from my unique point of view.  That view includes my life experiences, my schticks, my likes and dislikes.

I admittedly look at the world through rose-colored glasses; it's who I am. When I write, I want my readers to look at issues through a positive lens. I enjoy bringing hope to the table, while spreading awareness, and perhaps even educating readers, without being too Pollyannaish. There's enough doom and gloom in the world. If I can make a positive difference in someone's life, I've done my job well.

HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS WORK?

I am a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of writer.  I know what I have to write for the sites I write for. I know what my deadlines are. Do I organize a schedule for myself? No. Should I? Maybe.

Yet somehow my non-process works for me.  It's like when I studied for final exams.  I did it at the last possible minute, pulling all-nighters with the help of a case of TAB (before my coffee loving days.)

It always mostly worked.

Here's my process: Every day starts with a cup of coffee while reading, liking, sharing and commenting on social media.  Then I scan the days headlines, and move on to the job of writing.

I keep a list of topics I want to write about in a notebook (yes, I'm still old-school) for my paid jobs, along with clipped articles that caught my eye. Topics are mainly based on topical issues or what's trending. From time-to-time I make notes of words and phrases I like.  Yes, I am a word nerd.

As for my blog posts, those topics come from thoughts that occur while taking a shower, during a walk, in the middle of a meal or after a conversation.

When I finally sit down to write, I begin by allowing the free flow of thoughts dictate what I type. When they don't flow I step away and come back to it later.

After I'm finished, I fine-tune everything by editing it a few zillion times.  I am a harsh critic of my own work.

Is that the right tense?  Did I phrase that correctly? Is my voice appropriate to the subject, and do the sentences make sense? Am I getting my point across?  

When I am done, I must feel proud of my work or I won't hit the PUBLISH button. Good writing should not only inform someone, but should move them as well. If it doesn't move me, it's not worth sharing.

My office!.jpg

WHAT AM I WORKING ON NOW?

I'm working on several projects:

  • I'm trying to find a site to publish an interview I conducted with the director of a star-studded documentary called Cinemability (Ben Affleck, William H. Macy, Gary Sinise, etc.) about the portrayal of people with disabilities in film and television.
  • I was approached to interview Dr. George Jelinek whose recent findings from a global MS study will be published in Nutritional Neuroscience in May.
  • I will be paying tribute to nurses for National Nurses Week in May. I love nurses and the way they treat the whole person. I want to pay homage to them for their dedication and compassion.
  • My long-term goal is to finish a children's book about parents diagnosed with a disability.

Now it's time for me to pay it forward by introducing the next blogger to talk about her writing process, the ever-lovely Linda Maltz Wolff. I met Linda last summer in Chicago at BlogHer. She is a gem, and one of the sweetest people I know. Linda is the creator and writer of CarpoolGoddess.com, a website for women, where she shares the funny and poignant in everyday life. She is a frequent contributor on The Huffington Post, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, and What The Flicka. Linda's writing appears in the recently published humor anthology: Not Your Mother's Book On Being A Mom.

Here are links to other writers in this blog tour. Read what they had to say about their process.

Mindy Trotta
Helene Bludman
Connie McLeod
Marci Rich
Jane Gassner
Janie Emaus
Walker Thornton
Lisa Froman

 

 

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Author

Cathy Chester

Comments

  1. I love the way you talk about the blending of writing and advocacy--that's a wonderful gift to those who live with a disability, their families and friends and the wider community where the understanding is sometimes lacking.

  2. I loved reading about your process. I have a similar style, I know when things are done and I do prefer to have them ready far in advance of a deadline, but most times I find myself working on a project (especially my own posts) right before they are published. I'm different with things I'm hired to write, but there is still a sense of panic and then, wow, I see the words appear on the page! Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your world!

  3. Lovely. So interesting learning about your writing routine. Our processes have a lot in common! Do your cats continually jump on your keyboard while you're trying to write? Mine does!

  4. Love your writing process, Cathy and must admit and I truly enjoy reading what others think about this, especially after sharing my own process last week. I, too, find reading blogs and such early in the morning helps me to start my day off right before getting into the zone for both writing and designing during my day. So, could very much relate to how your day starts and sounds like we definitely have that in common here 🙂

  5. Your site looks so much better on my phone today:) I can see the pics.
    I loved reading about your writing process.
    One thing I am taking from yours and the other posts I've read is that while working on my books I have two editors, while writing for a newspaper, there is an editor. I need to be more deliberate in editing my own blog posts, on my own.

  6. Cathy, I loved this! Thanks for sharing --literally--a window into your writing world. What a gorgeous view from your office. I'm not sure if I'd ever get anything done...the beauty of the woods might be too distracting. LOL.
    I love that you see the world through rose-colored glasses. That tint colors everything you write with inspiration, kindness, hope. That's what I like to read....things that inspire me.

    Funny about Nurses Week. The company I work for (Blue Cross) is doing an internal promotion to pay homage to our nurses. I did a little work on it, too.

  7. I love reading about your process, Cathy. I frequently hit the Save button too -- I've learned the hard way what furry terrorists cats are 🙂

  8. Great post! I like the insight into how you do what you do. Thanks for sharing! I found you by way of the blogger Facebook group.

  9. So great to learn even more about you, my friend. I love that view from your window -- how inspiring and peaceful. No wonder your words are so calming and beautiful. My post about my writing process starts pretty much the same way yours does -- we are definitely soul sisters! I know you will write that children's book, and continue to make a huge difference in the lives of so many people.

  10. Loved reading about your process, Cathy! For us "shy" girls, writing opens up a whole new world and way in which to live large. What I love most about your writing is how your kindness and positivity shines through in every word. And thank you for the lovely intro! xoxo

  11. It seems you have perfected the process that works for you as you're rather prolific. And most of your work is advocacy work, which I truly admire.
    Love your view. I can imagine that helps greatly in getting your creative juices flowing.
    Thank you for sharing your process. Cheers to continued success with it!

  12. Wonderful post Cathy! I did this last week and enjoyed it so much. It gave me a clearer prospective of what I want to accomplish with my writing. That is if I ever get out of WordPress hell! Love how you use your writing to bring attention to causes!

  13. I too admire your ability to keep on writing about disability--it gets to me. Must. Write. About. Other. Things.

    Totally admire your organizational skills--keeping a notebook of ideas. I think about it but end up deleting sentences from articles and posts and keeping them as drafts for new ones.

    And I admire you more than I can say. You're an incredible person, Cathy Chester!

  14. I saw myself a multitude of times in your article: I, too, am shy and a definite "word nerd." I love phrases and words. I often "own" the books, so I can underline, highlight, or make comments of pleasure in the margins. I edit zillions of times, as well. What I learned from your article is the need to walk away and come back. Thank you. Totally enjoyed the article.

  15. I love how you describe yourself. As I read this, I realized that your gift is to not lose your message and focus - no matter what. Everything you write about is centered in giving someone or something a voice... elevating and, as your title says, empowering... That, my friend, makes you so rare and so special! I love your rose colored glasses and want a matching pair!

  16. Cathy, I love how you want to (and are) focusing your writing on advocacy . That is truly your niche . I also love your idea for a children's book for kids with parents who have disabilities. You can make it happen.

  17. I simply love the way you have stepped into your passions, the blending of your advocacy work and your daily observations is what makes your readers feel they have stepped into your living room for a cup of something warm. One of these days I hope we may meet in person! xo

  18. Enjoyed reading about your process, which is very similar to mine. I tend to write my blog at night, then do a final read-thru and edit in the morning before hitting the post button. Amazing how you will notice things after a few hours sleep that were not apparent the night before.

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