• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sandhenge Publications

Jim Potter, Author

  • About the Author
  • Author Blog
    • Sign Up for Jim’s Posts
  • Blog Podcasts
  • Book Reviews
  • Contact the Author
  • Read the Behind the Books Blog
    • Listen to the Audio Blog
  • Check Book Reviews
  • Sign Up to Receive Blog Posts
  • All Books

A Writing Environment

August 2, 2017 by Jim Potter 2 Comments

Share this blog post

Email
Share
Tweet
Share
Pin
https://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/A-Writing-Environment.m4a

·  Peer Support  ·

Sketch by J. Alex Potter

Despite all the people and animals residing in our home–gerbil, snakes, cats, turtles, birds, rabbits, horses, bull, elephant–visitors often remark how much they enjoy the peace and quiet.

But once our friends get introduced to the multitude of characters, they begin to understand how many stories are interwoven into our tranquil environment.

Thanks to artist and storyteller, J. Alex Potter, our home resembles a fine art gallery. The stories are everywhere!

I’ve heard about writers who can write anywhere, anytime, and about others who require the stars to be aligned properly before beginning an epic journey. For me, my most productive time for actual writing is in the early morning hours, generally around 5 a.m.

“Cow-Cow,” sculpture and photograph by J. Alex Potter

But ideas to further my writing materialize when I’m most relaxed. These occur when I’m outside cutting our so-called grass, when I’m about to fall asleep (picture old-fashioned note cards by the bed stand), and when I’m taking a shower. 

Recently, I heard a famous author discuss his all night writing schedule. “When do you sleep?” must be the most common question he receives from his fans. 

“Georgina FliesLikeGhost,” sculpture and photograph by J. Alex Potter

I recommend that anyone who wants to write find a kindred spirit who also has a deep drive to imagine. Having an ally in the home means there’s a peer who understands the process of creativity and productivity.

It also means a listening ear, free counseling, and free advice (whether you’re ready to listen or not).  

I remain pretty isolated to any community of writers outside the home, but many inventive people are drawn to groups of like-minded artisans. They feed off the circle’s creative energy.

Today, ongoing support is relatively easy to maintain through the wonders of technology, but it still takes that initial moment of one-on-one connectivity before people feel mutual respect. When I sense care and understanding, then I’m ready to share.

I’ve been watching an indie authors group online. They offer a lot of advice and support to one another. There’s one thread that caused my eyebrows to rise. It’s titled, “Can I have a hug?” Group members ask for and receive electronic support. Hey, whatever works!

It’s vital that artists be available to help one another because being a writer can be a lonely place.

“Tang,” sculpture and photograph by J. Alex Potter

A few days ago I received feedback on a story of mine that I had shared with a friend. He closed with these important words: “Good luck with your writing.”

And just today I reminded a friend who is hesitant about publishing work on a controversial subject that her writing is a gift. 

We agreed with Matthew 5:15: You wouldn’t light a candle and put it under a bushel.

Until next time, happy writing and reading!

Share this blog post

Email
Share
Tweet
Share
Pin

Related

Filed Under: Blog posts Tagged With: artists, creativity, peer support, writers, writing, writing environment, writing support

Sign Up for the Blog

You will never have to check this site for the latest blog post, and you’ll get the latest and the greatest first! You will receive a confirmation email that you must respond to in order to be officially subscribed.

IMPORTANT! Check your Junk and Spam folders as needed!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    August 2, 2017 at 10:38 pm

    Jim,
    I enjoyed the audio and your comments about writing. My struggle is writing an editorial for the Hutch News published every other Friday. I never thought of myself as a writer. I struggle just to produce a 800-1000 word article every two weeks.
    Keep blogging, I appreciate your thoughts.
    Phil

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      August 3, 2017 at 10:30 pm

      Hello Phil,
      Thank you for writing. Encouragement is always appreciated. I hope you’re getting enough of it. I really appreciate your column because I know I’ll always find a thoughtful point of view.
      How much is your struggle finding the next subject, and how much is it the actual writing? Usually when I’m on to an exciting topic, the words flow more easily. Are you having “writer’s block” where nothing spurts out, or wrestling with shaping the article the way you want it?
      I can identity; for over a year I wrote a crime prevention column for local papers. Sometimes it flowed easily and I felt like Hemingway; other times it was like I was a dentist pulling teeth.
      Could this be a sign that it’s time for you to: a) begin writing your biography? b) begin contemplating a novel? c) take a break from the column? d) find more encouragement for your columns? or e) none of the above? What do you think?
      I’m sure we can continue this conversation if you think it’s “writer’s block.” There are books written on the subject! (I wonder if authors writing books on “writer’s block” ever get writer’s block while they’re writing books about writer’s block?)
      I regularly read the “Ask Hutch” column in the newspaper. What I’d like to see is for you to have your own column of Q&A. It could be more universal or PHIL-osophical. It could be called, “Ask Phil.” What do you think about that idea?
      Peace out,
      Jim

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Jim Potter, Author

author

Recent Blog Posts

  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Choosing a Title January 26, 2023
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Multitasking January 19, 2023
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Networking January 12, 2023
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Introduction January 5, 2023
  • Charles Collins: First Reno County Sheriff September 30, 2022

If you prefer to listen . . .

If you prefer to listen to my blog posts, you can do so … List of podcasts about Podcasts

Post Archives

  • January 2023
  • September 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017

What People Are Saying

Footer

Follow Jim on Facebook

Follow Jim on Facebook

Interviews with Jim Potter

Video interview with James Lowe outside Bookends Bookstore July 21, 2022

Print interview with author Bill Bush September 1, 2022

Print interview with author Cheryl Unruh February 28, 2019

Hutchinson Magazine Article

Copyright © 2023 Sandhenge Publications · Website by Rosemary Miller