Hekiko
(?)Community Member
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- Posted: Sun, 27 May 2007 05:50:01 +0000
It seems a common problem, writer's inertia, though I'm not sure if anyone's called it that yet. The idea waits their in your head, a glorious, nearly germinated seed of potential. It's going to be epic, marvelous, the great Gaian novel. Or it's going to be a poem sure to launch you into the position of Gaia's poet laureate. Yet, somehow this wonderful idea remains dormant. How then, do you get the idea from the head to the outside world?
Run with it.
First, accept your idea as just that, an idea. Don't question whether it is good or bad, either way it's captured you as an author far enough to want to write it. Don't come here or to another writing forum and ask if your idea is worth writing. Just believe that you have an idea. Besides, most complex ideas sound trite when pinned to three sentences or less in prose form. Questioning can come later, when something resembling a story already exists.
Second, create conditions that will let you write. It might be a myth that authors need certain environments to create, but if that helps you begin writing, do it. If music inspires you, put it on. If IMs or the Internet distract you, close everything but your word processor or use a notebook. If there's a certain time of day or night where the words come more easily, put aside time to write then.
Third, start with what you see most clearly. It might be a line of dialog, or description of the setting or characters, or even a simple action. It won't be the best sentence in the world, unless you've got a lucky ear for words, but it will be true. Put down what you can see clearly, and other details will follow.
Don't worry if you're not starting at the exact beginning, if what you're envisioning is the great climax. Don't worry if your vignette has no plot, or your character's in your action sequence don't have names or faces yet. You are the author, and you are free.
Fourth, turn off your editing ear. No, what you put down will not be the best thing in the world. It doesn't matter, because everything will be up for change. If the words do not resemble what you are envisioning, do not worry about it. Just write until you reach a logical conclusion, or until the words run out. Close the document and do something else, go to bed, go out for ice cream, whatever, just get your mind away from what you've written.
When you're refreshed, then open your work and start to question it. Spellcheck. Find awkward phrasing. Figure out where what you have will lead. Post it on Gaia, or somewhere else, and ask for criticism. If there are still holes in your idea, or pitfalls, don't be afraid to ask questions. Pick it apart, because at least now you have something to pick apart and continue from. And people's suggestions will either make sense or not based on a solid piece of work, not on some ever-changing ephemera in your head.
Finally, don't be afraid to let your ideas and writing change. No matter what, you are not locked into anything.
Outlining vs. Not Outlining
Honestly? It's your choice.
Some people need road maps, to remind them where the story will go next. If you're the type of author who likes seeing the general action unfold in a fairly logical sequence before fleshing it out, then outline. And if not having the map there blocks up your writing machine when it comes time to write, then definitely outline.
Some people need to run out blind. They don't necessarily need to know that point A will lead to point Z along highway B. They just write according to some plan in their head. If outlines bore you and prevent you from writing, then for goodness sakes, just toss aside the outline and start where you need to start.
Writer's Block
So, what if it's the other way around. You're jumping to write, but the ideas don't come? What then? Well, there is, of course, lovely writing prompts, and if those don't inspire you, just find something interesting and think about it. Question it. Listen to music. Watch a movie. Talk with friends. Draw pictures. Go somewhere strange. If things get desperate, force something out in a free write, even if it doesn't have anything to do with anything.
Beyond the Online World
Although it might sound so from the rant, Gaia is not really the end of the writing world. Nor is Fictionpress. Nor is Live Journal or any online community. I believe that for someone who writes for fun, the internet provides a good place to get started and exposed, but for people who want something more?
One place to start are creative writing courses. Realize going into this that you won't be writing exactly what you want to write, especially at the high-school level. However, you will learn more about different structures, forms and techniques for writing, and these will give you a clearer idea of what you want to do and what you don't want to do.
Better yet, workshop-style creative writing classes will give you an opportunity to get your work critiqued by both peers and the teacher, and to see what other people around your level of development are doing.
Aldorel also brought the site Merlyn's Pen up. I don't have any experience with them, but if you are a junior high/high school student, it might be something to look into.
Any feedback on this rant, questions, comments, criticisms, suggestions are welcome.
Run with it.
First, accept your idea as just that, an idea. Don't question whether it is good or bad, either way it's captured you as an author far enough to want to write it. Don't come here or to another writing forum and ask if your idea is worth writing. Just believe that you have an idea. Besides, most complex ideas sound trite when pinned to three sentences or less in prose form. Questioning can come later, when something resembling a story already exists.
Second, create conditions that will let you write. It might be a myth that authors need certain environments to create, but if that helps you begin writing, do it. If music inspires you, put it on. If IMs or the Internet distract you, close everything but your word processor or use a notebook. If there's a certain time of day or night where the words come more easily, put aside time to write then.
Third, start with what you see most clearly. It might be a line of dialog, or description of the setting or characters, or even a simple action. It won't be the best sentence in the world, unless you've got a lucky ear for words, but it will be true. Put down what you can see clearly, and other details will follow.
Don't worry if you're not starting at the exact beginning, if what you're envisioning is the great climax. Don't worry if your vignette has no plot, or your character's in your action sequence don't have names or faces yet. You are the author, and you are free.
Fourth, turn off your editing ear. No, what you put down will not be the best thing in the world. It doesn't matter, because everything will be up for change. If the words do not resemble what you are envisioning, do not worry about it. Just write until you reach a logical conclusion, or until the words run out. Close the document and do something else, go to bed, go out for ice cream, whatever, just get your mind away from what you've written.
When you're refreshed, then open your work and start to question it. Spellcheck. Find awkward phrasing. Figure out where what you have will lead. Post it on Gaia, or somewhere else, and ask for criticism. If there are still holes in your idea, or pitfalls, don't be afraid to ask questions. Pick it apart, because at least now you have something to pick apart and continue from. And people's suggestions will either make sense or not based on a solid piece of work, not on some ever-changing ephemera in your head.
Finally, don't be afraid to let your ideas and writing change. No matter what, you are not locked into anything.
Outlining vs. Not Outlining
Honestly? It's your choice.
Some people need road maps, to remind them where the story will go next. If you're the type of author who likes seeing the general action unfold in a fairly logical sequence before fleshing it out, then outline. And if not having the map there blocks up your writing machine when it comes time to write, then definitely outline.
Some people need to run out blind. They don't necessarily need to know that point A will lead to point Z along highway B. They just write according to some plan in their head. If outlines bore you and prevent you from writing, then for goodness sakes, just toss aside the outline and start where you need to start.
Writer's Block
So, what if it's the other way around. You're jumping to write, but the ideas don't come? What then? Well, there is, of course, lovely writing prompts, and if those don't inspire you, just find something interesting and think about it. Question it. Listen to music. Watch a movie. Talk with friends. Draw pictures. Go somewhere strange. If things get desperate, force something out in a free write, even if it doesn't have anything to do with anything.
Beyond the Online World
Although it might sound so from the rant, Gaia is not really the end of the writing world. Nor is Fictionpress. Nor is Live Journal or any online community. I believe that for someone who writes for fun, the internet provides a good place to get started and exposed, but for people who want something more?
One place to start are creative writing courses. Realize going into this that you won't be writing exactly what you want to write, especially at the high-school level. However, you will learn more about different structures, forms and techniques for writing, and these will give you a clearer idea of what you want to do and what you don't want to do.
Better yet, workshop-style creative writing classes will give you an opportunity to get your work critiqued by both peers and the teacher, and to see what other people around your level of development are doing.
Aldorel also brought the site Merlyn's Pen up. I don't have any experience with them, but if you are a junior high/high school student, it might be something to look into.
Any feedback on this rant, questions, comments, criticisms, suggestions are welcome.
