1. We Are Always Writing

If we get an idea at three am, we’ll probably get out of bed and write it down, and that’s if we’re in bed in the first place because if the words are flowing there’s no way we’re sleeping.

We write whenever and wherever inspiration strikes, including the waiting room at the doctors, while we are pushing a trolley around the supermarket, as we breastfeed a baby, while we plan and cook dinner; we have to write when we can, we are busy people.

When we sit down at our computers, we bring together all of that incidental writing and use it to build up our work.

An idea we had at the hairdressers might end up being central to the message in our book.

2. We Carry A Notebook At All Times

Okay, it might not be an actual notebook, but we like to carry something to record brilliant thoughts.

Our notebook, or equivalent, goes with us everywhere we go. Some of us use our phones now, taking notes on an app.

We can be choosing an avocado and bam, a truly inspired idea pops into our heads, so we put down the avocado and record that thought. Sometimes we might be asked to shift along, so someone can get to the fruit we are ignoring while we scribble in our notebook.

Some of us can’t resist a gorgeous notebook or journal from one of those stationery stores. Oh we love those stores.

3. We Write In Different Voices

We write in a voice that doesn’t always sound like our speaking voice. Especially when we write fiction, but not only then.

In the same way that your mother has a normal voice and a phone voice, writers have a regular voice and a selection of writing voices. It depends on what we are writing, who we are writing for.

When we write for our blog, we use our blogger voice, which we unconsciously chose when we started our blog. My blogging voice is much more confident than my actual voice.

4. We Listen In On Conversations

We know there’s no better way to get to know how people actually talk, than to eavesdrop.

We don’t always know the context of the conversation, but we listen to learn about tone of voice, unique expressions and the pot of gold; stories.

Now that we can get to know friends from around the world via social media, we gladly pay attention to everything people put out there.

5. We Turn People We Know Into Book Characters

Some people stand out to you; their way of talking, their mannerisms, the fact they’ve been arrested eight times.

People are really interesting, including the people who think their lives are boring. Quiet people who live simple lives often have complex inner worlds, filled with secret desires, hopes and dreams.

You never know what’s going on inside another human being unless you listen to them.

We writers most often mix a few people together to make one character. We might add some unique habits of an eccentric cousin to a kindergarten teacher who owns a dozen cats and come up with a complicated and somehow relatable character.

I hope you found this interesting. Find me on instagram if you’d like to connect, I’m rachelgracewrites. I also have a Facebook page with the same name. Ask me anything you’d like to know about writing in general, or my writing in particular.