Pauline's
Writing Tips
(See
Resources for Writers, Books and Internet.)
Over
the years, I've often heard the words: "One day,
I'm going to write a book." Even I said them, long
ago, when I was an idealistic teen. Well, I don't know
about you, but my calendar still says Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and...
guess what? No "Oneday."
Some
25 years ago, spurred by the prospect of becoming rich
and famous, (that's long before I became rich and famous...just
kidding.) I began to pen my first book, a novel. Without
training of any kind, not having written anything other
than a personal journal, and not being much of a reader
of popular fiction, for the strangest reason, I thought
that writing a novel would be a piece of cake... a popular
misconception among "Oneday" writers.
Since
that early noble yet horrible first draft of a novel,
I've learned a thing or two about the craft of writing.
If writing is truly important to you, and you're not
just saying that you want to write a book to make yourself
sound interesting over cocktails at a networking event,
there are a few things you ought to know. Here are some
of the things I learned, the long, hard way.
Make
the commitment: First of all, I don't think we will
ever have an eight day week, not any time soon, not
ever. So forget about "Oneday." It's just
not coming. If it's that important to you, simply make
the commitment now, and then arrange your life accordingly.
Remember, you're the one who wants to be a writer, so
be one.
Your
Writing Schedule: Determine a writing schedule,
from which you will not budge. This time is sacrosanct.
Many famous writers got their start by getting up very
early, writing every day for a couple of hours before
work, or on the commute to work. Most writers prefer
the early morning hours. I like to block off Fridays
for a period of several months, especially the winter
months. I'm a block writer, and can write for hours.
Do what you're comfortable with, but do it.
Your
Writing Environment: Create a writing environment
that is free of noise, clutter and distractions. Feed
the kids and the cat, walk the dog, return your mother's
call, pay that late bill, before you enter your
sacred writing space. Make yourself a pot of coffee
or tea, and turn off the phone. Make certain your workspace
is ergonomic. Don't read your email, don't even download
it during your writing time. Hang a sign on your door
Genius at Work: Do not disturb. Depending on the
genre of your writing, you may want to set a mood with
music or candles. I could never write with words being
said or sung in the background, so I listened to classical
music while writing my novel. Now, I prefer to write
in silence.
On
the Nature of Creativity: Once you begin the process
of writing, you will naturally unleash your creative
juices. This creative energy will infuse all of your
thought processes and you may see creative possibilities
all around you. You may need to reign yourself in at
times, as your creativity starts to wander and you lose
focus. It's interesting how a new recipe for blueberry
muffins or rearranging your closet can suddenly become
attractive, especially on your designated writing day.
Be
prepared : Once unleashed, you may find that you
get your most brilliant ideas at the most inopportune
times. Don't risk losing a morsel of your brilliance.
Keep a notebook handy at all times; keep one in the
car, in the bathroom, the kitchen, the TV room. Tuck
a small notebook in your purse. What may seem like a
tiny germ of an idea can grow into a major line of thought.
Keep a micro-cassette recorder in your car, or on your
night table. My best ideas come at four in the morning...
go figure. I used to keep a notebook next to my bed,
but couldn't read the words I scribbled in the middle
of the night.
On
Managing information: Gather all relevant information
in one easy to access and find location. I keep 2 computer
files for a writing project: one for the main body of
the material, organized by chapters, the second is a
note file, in which I dump ideas that don't quite have
a place yet, or ideas I'm not sure of. I don't delete
anything until I'm sure it isn't suitable. I usually
work with both files open at the same time, toggling
between as I need to dump or capture material. I don't
bother printing until I'm ready to read for edits.
On
Writers Block: Most writers will encounter at some
time or other something called "writers' block"
where they seem to have lost the flow of their ideas,
and believe they have nothing to write. If this should
happen, try reading over some of your latest entries,
or go back to the beginning of your project. If still
nothing comes, write anything that comes to mind. This
can often unblock your words. If all else fails, go
for a long walk, or read on the craft. Avoid filling
your writing time with other projects, otherwise, soon
you will be painting the house, cleaning the garage
and planning Aunt Mae's garden project instead of writing
your book.
On
Editing versus Writing: Writing is rewriting. Accept
this fact now, and it will make it a lot easier on you
in the long run. An average book will require up to
six or seven revisions. Few authors get it all down
in the first draft. This is normal. As you reread your
first draft, your material is further explored and expanded,
with layers being added as the material is deepened.
So don't worry about editing style, grammar or punctuation
in your first draft. That will come much later. What
is important is that you lay down that first layer on
your canvas.
Honing
your Craft: Hone your craft by joining a writers'
group, taking a creative writing course, and by reading.
Read not only on the craft of writing, but also read
other works in your genre. For example, if you are writing
a romance, read popular romance novels. (See list of
a few excellent titles on the craft of writing.)
Reward
Yourself: Save some of those fun project ideas you
have set aside in favour of your writing as a reward.
For example, promise yourself to repaint your bedroom
once you have completed the first draft of your book,
or set aside a spa day for when you have completed the
next 10,000 words. Rewards are not only great motivators,
they also serve to acknowledge your progress and reinforce
your resolve to see your project to completion.
Above
all, relax, and enjoy the process. Your writing will
take you on an incredible journey of self discovery.
Happy
writing,
Pauline
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