10 Things I Love About Being a Writer

Photo by Jacqueline Munguía on Unsplash

I’ve recently found myself slowly falling into a bit of a negative mood. Some of you are probably feeling the same. Dreary February, combined with lockdown and uncertainty, a deep wish to return to work, and the feeling that I’m repeating myself in these posts 😉

So today I’m going to buoy myself up with 10 Things I Love About Being a Writer…

1. My head is full of what-ifs and whys, like a curious toddler. (For example, my next novel, Small Forgotten Moments, was partially born out of my realisation I sometimes don’t recognise my own mum in the street!)
2. You can write anywhere, at anytime – all you need is a pen and a piece of paper
3. Reading is officially ‘research’, and not just research, essential research
4. I like problem solving – plot holes, subplots, wayward characters who appear without my consent: they all make my heart leap with joy, even if I happen to be complaining and frowning a lot
5. It wasn’t actually a choice to write, it’s something I knew I had to do – even from being very young I’d have stories on the go. I preferred stationery shops to toy shops. I still do.
6. I like the compliments and 5-star reviews, the thrill and apprehension of knowing someone is half-way through my book
7. I kinda like the bad reviews too, because regular people are reading it. That very first 1-star review is so important (although a lot of authors dread it) because it means someone who isn’t family or a friend has bought your book! (Well, hopefully it wasn’t family…🤔)
8. Staring out of the window is officially ‘writing’
9. Getting lost in social media is officially ‘marketing’
10. I have met some amazing writers, mostly through blogging which I began 10 years ago, and seen their careers grow, their lives change through marriage and babies. They are friends.

What would your Top Ten list be? It could be anything: 10 reasons why you like rom-coms, or your job, or the colour blue, or the area you live in. I’d love to see what you come up with!

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I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but on Saturday I created a new Facebook group, Annalisa Crawford’s Book Stop.

I know a lot of readers, and I know a lot of writers. As a writer, I know how hard it is to find new readers for my work – unless you’re very successful, at the indie level, you rely on friends and friends of friends. Well, I’m a friend, who knows a lot of friends!

Unlike most other groups I’m a member of, I’m hoping for a mix of writers and readers, to introduce to genres and names to people, to focus on our shared love of books, rather than the process and technicalities of writing.

There’s currently no structure, I’m going to see what naturally occurs – but I’ve got a couple of ideas brewing. If this is something you’d like to be a part of, click here. I’ll see you there!