Ask the Author: Jaye Ripley
Answered Questions (2)
Jaye Ripley
Truth, or the better answer? The truth is, there are days where I feel like I can't write. On those days, you'll probably find me in my PJ's, binge watching shows like Outlander or Castle, and eating popcorn with M&M's poured in the bowl.
But the better answer is that you may be blocked for writing your current work in progress (WIP), but you should try writing something else just to keep you writing. I find that if I don't write at all in a day, it makes going back to writing the next day even harder. Because who wouldn't want to have two days of total show or movie bingeing? Or maybe 3? And before you know it, you haven't written anything over an entire week.
Think about it this way—writing 100 words is 100 words more than you had. Add up 100 words at a time again and again, and eventually you'll have a completed WIP!
But the better answer is that you may be blocked for writing your current work in progress (WIP), but you should try writing something else just to keep you writing. I find that if I don't write at all in a day, it makes going back to writing the next day even harder. Because who wouldn't want to have two days of total show or movie bingeing? Or maybe 3? And before you know it, you haven't written anything over an entire week.
Think about it this way—writing 100 words is 100 words more than you had. Add up 100 words at a time again and again, and eventually you'll have a completed WIP!
Jaye Ripley
This is a fun question to answer because there is a story. One Saturday night, my friend Brandy demanded that I get dolled up to go out with her and her girlfriends to a club. Being a married lady, I didn't typically go out like that anymore, and I'd gotten into a huge rut of staying home on the weekends.
I ended up being designated driver. It meant I could have some drinks at the beginning, but would wrangle the girls at the end of the night. The club we went to was half country and half rock. Not quite as big as the Rock & Rodeo in my book, but a similar concept. Since I wasn't out looking for a guy, I spent most of my night observing (occupational hazard of a writer). Within a short amount of time, I realized what a cool environment it would make for a book setting. On the country side, there was a cool local band playing. On the rock side, there was DJ'd music. I watched the personnel of the place and how they managed the customers. I saw a 6'8" cowboy—no joke. He even wore a Stetson.
By the end of the night, the other girls were hammered, but I had the seeds of an idea in my head. I told Brandy about it the next day, and she thought it was an awesome idea. Seven months later, Sweet Melody was finished.
I didn't want to go out that night. By 10:30pm, I was pretty much done since I wasn't looking for a date. But because I was there, I ended up with a cool idea that hasn't let go of me since. Now when friends ask me to go out, I readily head out the door with them. Who knows where my next idea will come from?
I ended up being designated driver. It meant I could have some drinks at the beginning, but would wrangle the girls at the end of the night. The club we went to was half country and half rock. Not quite as big as the Rock & Rodeo in my book, but a similar concept. Since I wasn't out looking for a guy, I spent most of my night observing (occupational hazard of a writer). Within a short amount of time, I realized what a cool environment it would make for a book setting. On the country side, there was a cool local band playing. On the rock side, there was DJ'd music. I watched the personnel of the place and how they managed the customers. I saw a 6'8" cowboy—no joke. He even wore a Stetson.
By the end of the night, the other girls were hammered, but I had the seeds of an idea in my head. I told Brandy about it the next day, and she thought it was an awesome idea. Seven months later, Sweet Melody was finished.
I didn't want to go out that night. By 10:30pm, I was pretty much done since I wasn't looking for a date. But because I was there, I ended up with a cool idea that hasn't let go of me since. Now when friends ask me to go out, I readily head out the door with them. Who knows where my next idea will come from?
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