Deep Dive Into Writing

Writers Hat Challenge by Subhi Najar

When did you start writing? Is there a specific story?

My first story was written for Roadtrippers Magazine in July 2022. I was paid $300 for that story, a huge surprise. But one that provided that spark that perhaps I could actually write something. That story was very personal to me, as it was about a trip to take my Mom’s ashes to Lee’s grave.

That story was also my first story on Medium since Roadtrippers had no restrictions on my using my own story in other publications.

Do you have rituals in writing? If yes, then please share them with us.

I started out writing on the patio mostly as I enjoy being outside. But then I moved indoors as the wifi was stronger after I lost some work a few times. I write and read mostly in the early morning but have been known to read and write at all times of the day.

I frequently have Alexa play smooth jazz while I’m writing. And a cup of coffee is always close at hand.

The ugliest monster that writers are afraid of is writer’s block. If you have a recipe to deal with it, kindly share it with us.

When I first started, I had way more ideas than I had time to write. And even after 300 stories, I still have ideas pop into my head all the time. Many of my stories are silly day-to-day stuff, but in keeping with the mantra to write daily, I put the silly stuff out there.

Describe the process of finding ideas for your stories. Please elaborate

I get many of my ideas and flesh them out further when I’m on walks. Often walking our Pembroke Welsh Corgie. It’s quiet and without many distractions. I forget things and so have to write them down; sticky notes and scratch paper are often lying around with ideas.

I don’t keep a lot in the draft folder normally. With my compulsive behavior disorder, I have to finish one story before starting another.

I love photography and try to use my own pictures as much as possible. Sometimes the photo comes first, and the story evolves from the picture.

As humans, we suffer without knowing it by choosing not to move outside our comfort zone. Do you have a “comfort zone” in writing ( i.e a topic that you always like to write about)? Have you tried to step outside your comfort zone and write something drastically different?

My comfort zone is any subject that I am passionate about or have a good general knowledge about. Travel and Food are topics I write about a good deal.

I enjoy reading and writing things that are funny and humorous. It doesn’t always work well, but I still enjoy that type of writing.

Outside my comfort zone is deep writing with profound life lessons or a lot of human emotion — in the psychology and metaphysical areas. I have great respect for writers who can do this, and I enjoy reading these, but I’m not able to write them myself.

Another area is Fiction; I’ve never written fiction, but again have great respect for anyone who can.

Besides Medium, do you use other writing platforms? Please share our experiences.

Other than that one story, it's just Medium.

Have you published a book? If yes, how and where…etc. Plz, feel free to share your links with us.

No books, and they would be way beyond my ability right now.

You write because writing provides you with something special. Could you share your experience?

I started on Medium as a reader only, and when my free reads ran out, I decided it was worth a few dollars to keep reading. The transition to writing happened later.

I enjoy the engagement as much or more than the actual writing. The first story I wrote and published in Roadtrippers Magazine was great, but there was no interaction with the readers. I have no idea what the readers on Roadtrippers even thought about that story.

I do enjoy the creative outlet writing provides.

Do you write a paragraph, a chapter, or a story with the end in mind or not? plz explain

The end is almost never in my mind; it just happens when I get there — not a very good answer, but true.

Every writer has an idol. Who is yours? And what do you find inspiring in her/his/they trajectory?

I couldn’t possibly select one. But there are many writers on Medium that I have enjoyed both in their writing and engagement. Just a few mentions are:

Adrienne Beaumont I mention Adrienne first because she was the first person who contacted me with a suggestion that I should write on Globetrotters; she was so kind and answered so many of my questions, then and still today. She is a talented writer and editor for Travel.

The Sturg I mention the Sturg second, as he was the second person who I communicated with frequently, and he published that first story I told you about, my very first story published on Medium. And we all remember the first in our Medium adventures. He writes on many topics with great honesty and humility.

Subhi Najar, I said I have great respect for writers who can connect through their writing on an emotional level about the human conditions. Subhi does this as well as anyone. His stories about leaving a war-torn country and finding ways to make for a better life are inspiring — Alchemist of Words.

Tai Le Grice, I said earlier that I have great respect for writers of fiction, as it just seems so impossible for me to do. Tai writes great stories, both fiction and non-fiction. But to use one's imagination and mind to create a whole world of characters, keeping track of plots and sub-plots to arrive at a destination, is very admirable.

Joel R. Dennstedt, who blows me away with his writing, especially the travel stories when combined with his brother's amazing photography, has taken me on amazing adventures.

Annelise Lords is another writer I just love. I’m often never quite sure what is fiction and what is non-fiction, but they intertwine together in a most fascinating way. I always walk away learning something new or a powerful life lesson with joy and inspiration.

Henry India Holden💖 connects with spirituality, wellness, and positivity — all things I admire and could never do myself. They find good and positivity in almost everything, which is such an admirable quality. Then converts these amazing things into words that inspire.

There are so many great writers I could go on and on, and if I do, then we will end up with that book that I said I could never write. So I guess I should stop for now.

Does being on a writing platform like Medium help your writing plans? Plz, elaborate.

I don’t have any writing plans. I said early on that I considered my writing a hobby. And I also wrote about how all my hobbies often end up in the hobby graveyard.

It’s seven months now, and Medium hasn’t joined the graveyard yet. As long as it’s fun, I’ll keep doing this. If it gets to be a job or chore, then it will be time to stop.

Thanks, Subhi Najar, for creating this wonderful challenge and inviting me to take part. I have learned so much about the others who have participated. And look forward to more.

“Writing Hat” Challenge by Subhi Najar

April Challenge “A new habit” by Tai Le Grice

Original Tags:

Antonio Segovia,Valerie Spitaels,Adrienne Beaumont,Mark Armstrong,Elin Melaas, Jared Bouchard,Missy Crystal,Diana Meresc,Alexander Semenyuk,Addie Page,May Y. Yang,Denise Larkin,Michael Rhodes,Joel R. Dennstedt,Lisa Cunningham DeLauney,Laura Blackhurst,Monica Ray,Kallol Mazumdar,Julia Konrad,Mary Louisa Cappelli, MFA, JD, PhD,Michael Cappelli,Jennifer Barrios Tettay,Jennifer Burke Grehan,Brett Jenae Tomlin,Sally Lotz | Writer | Writing Coach | Mentor,Som Dutt,Nedelcu Alina,Pamela Oglesby,Grace Bianco,Walter Bowne,Julie KingGood,Veronica Llorca-Smith,Natalie,Nevena Pascaleva,Caroline Baker,Jacqui Smith,Colleen Millsteed,Patricia Timmermans,Hermione Wilds Writes,Michelle Renee Kidwell,Melissa Gray,Prerana Kulkarni,Naleen Mitchell,Robert Shaneyfelt, Dr Ruth Miller-Anderson,Ryan K.,Samuel O’Brient,David Fixter,Tru Sri,Olivia Love,Yalım,Kimmy Foulds,Emilia,Peter Sassi,Stephen Dalton,Miriam Rachel,Bella Smith ⭐,Amulya Kandukuri,Andrew & Christine — DesignACE,Crivo Weitner

New Tags:

Ruby Noir, Chantell, Jason Edmunds, Randy Pulley, Gary L Ellis, Harry Hogg