Member Spotlight: David Sines

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? Writing is a means for the expression of the mind, a chance to slow down and view the particulars of one’s thoughts, and helps us grow in our understanding of others. For the writer, it’s a channel to say what may never be communicated otherwise.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? I will frequently take a quiet walk outside. It gives my mind space to breathe and lets thoughts come organically. Sometimes, I need to feed my mind with things I enjoy, such as reading a good book or even watching a movie. It helps me see new angles that get me excited to write again. If all that fails, I have to ask myself, ‘Is this scene I’m trying to write critical to the story?’ Most of the time, it’s not, and I can skip to the next scene. If it is an important scene, I start typing. As I type, I begin to see possible directions to follow, and words come naturally.

What is your favorite time to write? I’d say mid-morning to mid-afternoon. That gives me time to address any needs of the day and gives me a guaranteed break for lunch, followed by a homemade latte and a good book, so I am mentally and physically refreshed before getting back to writing.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? I forget where the original quote came from, but I always appreciated the saying, “Bash it out now. Tart it up later.” So often, I want to go back and reread and edit before I’ve finished. This quote permits me not to make every word perfect on the first draft. Focus on the big picture first. If you think of something that needs to be adjusted, make a note and do it later. You will save lots of time and probably have more fun.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? Personally, I’m just excited to be a writer. To create something captivating and make it available for others. To learn about the craft and immerse myself in books is the coolest thing ever.

David Sines’s Nora and Alai: Trust is out tomorrow.