“… until then I am comfortable with understanding that many of these answers about who we are are discovered through the process of writing.” – dimitrireyespoet.com
FYI, when I began my writing career, I had SO many questions. I was consistently looking for formulaic expressions that’ll lead me to my next completed poem. Or at least the next prolific thought that would help me know more about myself. I’m still looking for that perfection and until then I am comfortable with understanding that many of these answers about who we are are discovered through the process of writing. That’s the work.
One of my YouTube subscribers once asked me what my poetry writing routine was and I soon made a video for that. I remember sitting down to write the script and I realized after several versions that in order to write down my writing routine, it wasn’t something that could be jotted down and compacted in a list. It was much more fluid than that. It was easier to explain the different situations of my Poetry Writing Routine rather than having a blueprint.
So Here’s the Where & When
You can read more about this in my Laptop vs. Poetry video but I basically write when I get the chance to. And my writing holds no boundaries. I’ve been known to bust into a room crazy eyed looking for a pen and paper to get down a line. I’ve also been known to stop a lecture I was teaching to write something down. It can happen EN-KNEE-WHERE!
The most controlled is in an Uber, bus, or train, where I’m not actively doing anything else but thinking or reading. The most fruitful writing time I had was in college where I was taking public transportation daily. I usually read or knew I was going to get at least 15 minutes of writing time and this is when I permitted myself some writing time. Even if it was just 5 minutes of actual writing material, I deemed it okay as I was able to add to it the next day. Early on in my writing I knew it was important to allow myself time to get a poem done. One can’t force these things and I’d prefer work organically happen.
My favorite writing moments are when I get to schedule them on the weekends which often piggy back all of my notes and scribbles throughout the week. On Saturday or Sunday I still get up around 6:45 in the morning and soon after begin writing. It’s the best way I can start my day because I am the most creative in the early hours. I think it’s very important to know your body and this chooses when you should be scheduling your writing time. My fiance for example can be up into the wee hours of the morning— her adrenaline and creative energies first start kicking in around 1 or 2 pm and that can see her way into the nighttime. Balancing your preferences with your writing routine is the most advantageous.
Space is also a part of this conversation. Growing up in the city, I find comfort on trains and buses, therefore it’s a piece of me where I like to write— to be one with the space, if you will. Suggestions for a writing space that is productive and creates artistic energy includes… your bedroom for privacy and security, artwork that you particularly enjoy, a window, and a collection of your favorite books. Having a personal library close by is super important!
Check out my Poetry Writing Routine to get an idea of what my writing space looks like.
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