Featured Writer: Tar Atore
On creating space to write and writing advice.
Welcome to Women Writing, a biweekly interview series about creative practices. This week, Tar tells us about some of the best advice she’s received. Was there a piece of advice you received from a mentor or writer friend that resonated with you? Please share in the comments.
About the author…
As an avid reader from a young age, Tar Atore got introduced to queer fiction fairly late, and even more so to queer characters in her favourite genres—fantasy and science fiction. Now, she focuses on writing those genres by building relationships between her queer characters that enhance the plot without taking over the genre. She's a fan of subtle romances that smack and epic scales that don't feel overwhelming. She has a habit of playing with common tropes and twisting her plots. When not writing, you can find Tar Atore still with a book open on her phone. Or more likely on her computer, as she works with indie authors to design their covers, maps, and typeset their books.
On a writing routine …
I don't have a routine—I've tried to create one multiple times and all it led to was a dislike of writing since it started to feel like work or homework. Instead of having a routine, I write whenever inspiration strikes. Since I'm self-employed and work from home, I control my own work schedule. I do like to write during work hours, though, since that leaves my evenings free to do other stuff and be with family.
The only routine I've been able to keep up is when I started streaming every week before noon on Wednesdays. That extra accountability of having a schedule really helped get me through some writer blocks, but since I used the same time to also stream design work, it wasn't a guarantee that writing would get done.
The biggest thing for me though is to ensure I won't be disturbed. I'm not a fan of pomodoro breaks, sprints, or specific schedules: when I sit down to write, I won't get up for at least an hour, sometimes longer, so I like to make sure I have nothing pressing or that can distract me for at least that long.
On writing spaces …
My favourite space to write is at my computer desk. I do shift sometimes to the sofa if I'm writing in the evenings, or to the bed if I want a cuddle sessions with the cats at the same time. The most important thing is to keep the music on and no distractions. Except the cats. They are never a distraction!
On writing communities …
I am part of a few different discord servers and a server I was previously on was what got me out of an almost decade-long writing block. The gamification really helped at the time and I met some amazing people. Now, I just jump into a few servers here and there to say "hi" and help how I can, but I mostly talk to a few people I've met through those servers on a regular basis and that really helps me out. Having that support, encouragement, and the *excitement* for someone to hear more about my bunnies and stories is the best dopamine to get me writing!
“When I'm not stuck, the most common advice I give to myself when writing is to do it my way … If I feel certain way—I will write in a way that follows that and not limit myself. ”
On challenges …
Writing is not the primary focus of my life, so it does take the back seat a lot of the time. There are times where I would wish I could be writing instead of doing something else, but those are rare. I don't really have many challenges - more often, writing challenges itself. When a bunny jumps out of nowhere and demands attention, that is more likely to challenge me than anything else. And since I love my work, too often I use it as an excuse not to write when I'm stuck.
On the best writing advice …
The best piece of writing advice I received feels a bit weird to share, but it works and it is still the same thing I remind myself when I get stuck: keep your praises close. I have a note file on my computer that includes every single review I've ever gotten, special quotes from friends about ideas, and other "good vibes" messages I've gotten about my writing. Whenever I'm stuck, doubtful, or start wandering down the "wtf am I doing?!" path, I open that file to remind myself that there are people out there who genuinely love my work.
When I'm not stuck, the most common advice I give to myself when writing is to do it my way. I know there are some people that say "your first draft shouldn't be perfect" or "just write and don't stop" or (one that I followed for a while) "just write 10 words! that's it"—but none of those worked for me. If I feel like focusing for an hour on one sentence, I will. if I feel like writing just dialogue to get the idea out, I will. If I feel certain way—I will write in a way that follows that and not limit myself.
On the worst writing advice …
Oh, this one still annoys me to this day. First year of undergrad, majoring in professional writing, huge lecture hall of 800+ students, and first class the professor tells us never to write as a career and then proceeded to break down how much money the average author could get. That discouraged me for a long time and I turned to other things (even did a double-major as a "just in case" backup plan). Writing took such a backseat that I barely did anything at all worth mentioning. Eventually, it led to my writing falling so much behind that I didn't write anything at all for close to a decade.
Back then, I was disappointed, hurt, but also shrugged because this is a professional in the field, someone I looked up to, who said the same thing so many people around me were telling me. Now, looking back, I am still disappointed—but mostly in him for crushing so many people and in myself for believing in him.
On advice from personal experiences …
This is a tough one but ... I think the only advice I can give to any woman writing is to "do it anyway." If you ever doubt yourself, if you ever wonder if your story is good enough, if you ever, for any reason, think you're not good enough, wonder if you should use a pen name, get sky about speaking up: just do it anyway!
At the end of the day, this is your life and your writing. Do whatever makes you happy, even if that means taking a nap instead of writing that next scene ;)
On rekindling creativity …
Most commonly, I get my most creative juices when I'm chatting with others about stories. Being able to talk about my stories and ideas without feeling like I'm ranting, talking too much, or even talking about something that the other person doesn't care about is the best way to get me going. Outside of that, having a cigarette break without my phone. When I don't have a device on me to distract me with the latest book, webtoon, or TikTok video, and having that short time limit makes my mind wander on so many different things and, quite often, it's ideas about writing and the worlds I'm imagining in my head.
On a recent publication …
I most recently put my novella Last Sunrise out. It is a high fantasy story about a courtesan looking for revenge. I currently have a novella and a short story with editors, and am currently working on a sci-fi duology - all three of these in the same universe.
Tar’s online spaces …
I need to get pages written. Are you with me? Let’s do it! Upgrade to paid to schedule regular writing time for yourself. The Women Writing Circle meets biweekly for 90-minutes to set goals, write pages, and inspire each other.
Happy writing!
