The more I look at other writers' pages on social media the more I realise I'm not like a lot of other writers. For example...
Procrastination. Some authors speak of spending their time avoiding writing as if it's something to be proud of or an inbuilt aspect of the craft, even sometimes seeing it as the hallmark of a true writer. I don't procrastinate at all. I just sit down and get on with it.
Writers' block. I've never had it. If a piece of writing isn't happening, isn't flowing, I work on something else instead. See above about procrastinating.
Dealing with imposter syndrome. Likewise. It has never been a problem. But then I've always had confidence in my own work.
Writing and posting on social media about the process of writing. Daily goals and word counts, editorial updates, screenshots of queries and acceptances and rejections, et al. I can't imagine most of my readers being too interested in that stuff. It's the final piece that matters.
Writing about being a writer. Writing about life as a writer. Posting 'You know you're a writer when'-type memes. See above (though I am of course doing precisely this for the purposes of the current article it is not norm for me).
The difference was highlighted again for me recently when I read a post from a writer asking what systems other writers use to keep track of their reviews. You what? I don't even read reviews, much less keep track of them.
I don't understand the sheer amount of time and effort some authors expend reading and obsessing over their reviews. Reviews aren't written for the writer's benefit, they're written for other readers. If I get a good review that's nice, if I get a bad one I can't do anything about it. I know writers who have been sent into depression and self-doubt over a bad review, all for something they have no control over. I'd rather be writing than spending time subjecting myself to these things.
I'm not saying these are bad things to do but I find the difference interesting. Everybody has to find the balance that works for them.
I do have some things in common with other writers though. The obsession with cats. The coffee addiction. The love of pens and notebooks.
How do you write? Is a question every writer gets asked a lot. I couldn't tell you. I just do it. I also couldn't tell you where my ideas come from. They just happen. Sometimes there'll be a clear inspiration which I can pinpoint but not always. The process of how writing occurs, going from blank page to filled, is still a mystery to me but I'm very pleased that it does.
I do have a very definite way of working though and I do write every day. The process is the same every time. On my sofa with my laptop, music loud on headphones, often with my other half sat next to me watching TV and usually with one or more cats in attendance. I create custom music playlists for each project, tracks that inspire or provide a good soundtrack to the writing of it, listened to on repeat as I work. To a lot of writers such a method might seem odd but that's mine and what works for me. Again, everybody finds what works for them. There is no right or wrong way.