Construction Chat is a weekly chat on Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. If you’re free, we’d love you to join us.
The Writing Process
We don’t just tweet, right? There are things to write on our blogs, Facebook posts, and the lot.
So what’s your method to your writing madness?
Q1. When is your ideal writing time?
A1) Whenever I get the topic approved. Writing is a great way to inform others. It's exciting to present solutions to problems. #ConstChat
— CapitalTristate (@CapitalTristate) October 1, 2015
A1. my idea writing time is when I'm supposed to be working on something else #procrastination #itworks #constchat
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) October 1, 2015
A1. Mornings are best, but I end up writing late into the evenings quite often. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 1, 2015
A1 First thing in the morning, but it doesn’t always work out that way #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) October 1, 2015
A1 I’ve been known to get up in the middle of the night and finish a blog post #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) October 1, 2015
A1. There is no 'ideal' writing time. You MAKE the time, otherwise life will get in the way before you know what happened. #constchat
— Floors To Your Home (@FTYHFlooring) October 1, 2015
A1. Whenever I can fit it in. 🙂 I don't really have an ideal time. Sometimes nights are the best. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) October 1, 2015
A1 – When nobody is around…early morning, when folks are leaving the office, or at home. More focus. #ConstChat
— Getable (@getable) October 1, 2015
Q2. Do you prefer to listen to music when you write? What kind?
A1. Quiet music with no words. No blasting hip-hop. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 1, 2015
A2 Yes, Classic Rock is always a good go-to #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) October 1, 2015
@RigginsConst A2. YES. I prefer music I don't have to focus on: familiar or no instrumental. upbeat for sure. #constchat
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) October 1, 2015
A2 – Always. I'll listen to anything on @spotify but the background noise really helps me. #ConstChat
— Sunflex Wall Systems (@sunflexwalls) October 1, 2015
A2) I prefer the sweet sound of power tools roaring with the low humming bass of near silent #LED lighting completing the tune. #Constchat
— CapitalTristate (@CapitalTristate) October 1, 2015
A2. I used to. Now I work PT from home & have a toddler running around…so I usually have Curious George in the background. Ha. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) October 1, 2015
A2: Depends. For tech writing I like industrial music, for less detailed stuff I like ambient tones. #constchat #ICanTalkMusicAllDay
— Floors To Your Home (@FTYHFlooring) October 1, 2015
A2 – More likely to be productive with music without lyrics…or else i'll just end up singing along in my head. 🙂 #ConstChat
— Getable (@getable) October 1, 2015
Q3. Do you write on paper, in a text editor, or on the actual blog?
A3 Paper first, and then revisions are usually done in a text editor/word processor #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) October 1, 2015
@RigginsConst A3. I write in a text editor unless I'm kinda stuck on a direction. then I'll start on paper. outline or SoC #constchat
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) October 1, 2015
A3 – Ideas on paper (need to map it out), draft in Word, and then the actual post. It's a process. #ConstChat
— Sunflex Wall Systems (@sunflexwalls) October 1, 2015
A3. I always start in Word, then move over to WordPress and do the final tweaking. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) October 1, 2015
A3. I write on paper, text editor, and the blog. I carry notebooks, have one by the bed, in my purse, all over. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 1, 2015
A3: Just MS Word, usually, then in a text editor if I have to go in and play with the HTML at all. #constchat
— Floors To Your Home (@FTYHFlooring) October 1, 2015
A3. speech to text on the mobile phone is GREAT for jotting ideas down during morning commute. (hmmm no ideas on commute home? 😉 #constchat
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) October 1, 2015
A3 – In a text editor with no formatting, like Sublime Text. Screwing with formatting is distracting from the creative process. #ConstChat
— Getable (@getable) October 1, 2015
Q4. Do you have an editor?
A4. Best friend is an editor, but I only ask her if I get stuck. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 1, 2015
A4 Nope, I’m writer, editor, copyeditor, proofreader #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) October 1, 2015
A4: I pretty much am the editor here, but I do ask coworkers to be a 2nd pair of eyes on certain things. #constchat
— Floors To Your Home (@FTYHFlooring) October 1, 2015
A4. Nope. Just myself. Sometimes I have my husband read things over for clarity. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) October 1, 2015
A4. Reading aloud helps a lot. Also: reading backwards to see if there are missing words. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 1, 2015
A4. A HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA no. @RigginsConst Q4. Do you have an editor? #constchat
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) October 1, 2015
but seriously A4. I have my coworkers look over my writing before it goes out. More eyes = less mistakes! #constchat
— Feeney, Inc. (@FeeneyInc) October 1, 2015
A4 – Not an editor, per se. But multiple people read it pre-launch — especially with email, because you can't edit post-launch. #constchat
— Getable (@getable) October 1, 2015
Q5. Do you use any software to help your writing along
A5 No, but I’m really interested in giving Hemingway a shot http://t.co/YO3TSNlQAb #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) October 1, 2015
A5. Use that Hemingway app thingie sometimes, but for my own blog, I like to write to a higher level than 6th grade. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 1, 2015
A5. The Hemingway Editor (web-based) is my very favorite tool. Paste your text. Gives suggestions. http://t.co/2SDxWizAui #constchat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) October 1, 2015
A5. Also, Grammarly has a Chrome Extension. #constchat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) October 1, 2015
A5: @ScrivenerApp is great for planning when a myriad of Post-Its won't do the trick. #constchat
— Floors To Your Home (@FTYHFlooring) October 1, 2015
I also use a plagiarism checker for guest posts #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) October 1, 2015
I do use an online thesaurus a lot, though. 🙂 #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) October 1, 2015
Q6. How do you get out of ruts / blocks?
A6 taking a walk, starting a new project, working on something else for a bit, reading/writing fiction also helps me out #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) October 1, 2015
A6. Hiking and getting outside in nature usually help me get a clean slate, so to speak. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 1, 2015
A6. When all else fails, STEP AWAY FROM THE SCREEN. Give yourself a break, then come back to it. Helps immensely. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) October 1, 2015
A6: It goes like this: Grousing, chocolate, procrastination, then getting my metaphorical shovel and digging free. #constchat
— Floors To Your Home (@FTYHFlooring) October 1, 2015
A6. Also, watch an episode or two of Curious George. Does wonders. 😉 #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) October 1, 2015
A6 – When I'm stuck, I always take a break and work on something completely different. #ConstChat
— Sunflex Wall Systems (@sunflexwalls) October 1, 2015
A6 – Step 1: go for a walk sans technology. Step 2: caffeinate! #ConstChat
— Getable (@getable) October 1, 2015
Q7. What are your tips?
A7 Go read On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by @StephenKing, best textbook on writing ever #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) October 1, 2015
A7. Write a little every day, whether you want to or not. #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 1, 2015
A7: Trust yourself, and try to be patient. Writing is 10% talent, 90% skill. Skill comes with practice. #constchat
— Floors To Your Home (@FTYHFlooring) October 1, 2015
A7. I start out writing a general outline, with thoughts/ideas as bullet points. Then rearrange as necessary to fit the post. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) October 1, 2015
@RigginsConst Go write something! Anything! #constchat
— Construction Data (@cdcnews) October 1, 2015
@RigginsConst When you get stuck, ask your friends for ideas! #constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) October 1, 2015
Just get some ideas on paper. The rest will come eventually. #constchat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) October 1, 2015
How do you write? What are your tips?
Tell us in the comments below.