Writing advice?

Question

I've heard all of the "write for yourself", "write about what you know", "organize" "just let it come" .. etc.. and I realize I have to discover what works best for me through experience.

What I am asking here is for specific writing advice, whether it be a certain technique, place you write, ways to get the mind and ideas flowing...ANYTHING specific, little tricks that help you..

Interesting tricks that help you..

Just please no cliched answers.

Thank you!!

Answer 1

I find that I have to stop ignoring the banter in my head. My mind's always working, I'm thinking about what I've got to accomplish - household tasks, errands, etc. But underneath all that, my characters are living their lives, begging me to tell their stories.



When you find the time to write, you have to be in tune with what's going on with these characters. You have to ask them questions about themselves and be prepared to write them down. Evan Marshall wrote a book called The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing and the best thing I got out of that book was the section on Character Fact Lists. Once you get to know your characters, their stories fall into place.



Also, you've got to keep notepads and scrap paper and pens nearby, some in every room, in your purse, in your car. Scenes, dialogue, character traits will just leap out of your head and you've got to write them down - don't put it off till later because you'll forget. Especially if they happen as your drifting off to sleep. I've found when I was too tired to get up, I told myself, "I'll remember in the morning." And I didn't. If you can even jot down one or two key words to remind yourself of those thoughts, you'll be doing yourself a favor.



Hope that helps.

Answer 2

1) Brainstorm in a notebook - write down any and all ideas you have - no matter how silly they sound.



2) Put each of the ideas on a file card and sit down at a table and start shuffling them around - changing the order of events until you get something that sounds good to you.



3) Do the same brainstorming with characters - character studies - write down every single thing you know about your characters - the more the better.



4)Put those on cards and start shuffling them around - see who rubs up against who - who likes who - who hates who etc. That will help you to add subplots to your story.



5)Work up a complete outline - adding subplots and main plots - You can also do a story curve to see where you story peaks and how it plays out. When you do your outline, use one color ink for the main plot and a different color for every backstory or subplot. That helps keep the story organized.



That is the way I teach it. It will work for you if you put a lot into it. The secret is really really knowing your characters well so that you will know how they respond in situations..I recommend two books for you. One is The First Five Pages, which should be on every author's bookshelf. The second is a novel called The Novelist. It is the story of a famous writer teaching a creative writing class. During the semester, she writes a book for the class and teaches them her techniques. It is a great story and a good learning book.

Pax - C

Answer 3

This is what worked for me:



Step one - write every day. Sometimes, you don't feel like writing one bit. I took down that one page minimum and brought it down to a measly three lines a day. Sometimes, I'd write more. The idea is to at least keep you in your writing.

Step Two - Re-Read. Start taking notes as to what themes come back. Flesh out two or three themes. Conentrate more on those (although you can still roam at this stage).

Step Three- You keep re-reading and you keep re-writing and eventually, you get a project you'll want to complete. Make an outline of your project.

Step Four - Write a first draft from beginning to end. Don't worry too much about whether the story all fits together at this stage. Just get a first solid draft through.





From that point on, this is where most writers end up quitting. Here is where we separate those who really want it from those who don't. It's not just the fun creative stuff anymore. The real hard work begins. And it's a marathon, not a sprint.



Step five: start re-reading and correcting. Iron out plot problems. I used to have brain storming sessions when I said to myself: OK. This part doesn't work. Ideas - so I'd just scribble whatever came to mind and eventually had something that made sense.

Step Six: Once you know you're whole plot, write a second draft from your first.



(Now we get in the nitty-gritty stuff)



Step Seven: Go over your manuscript as many times as you need and polish it. If it doesn't yet satisfy you, it's not complete. Correct grammar, pay attention to vocabulary use, make sure the plot is consistent and makes sense to you. You may need to go over several aspects of the plot and you'll probably have to go over it two, three times, probably more.



Best of luck to you.

Answer 4

You've got lots of really good answers from people who actually write and who work hard at it. There isn't much more I can contribute to this other than:



Set aside a specific time every day for writing and stick to it - whether it is half an hour or two hours. In that time, work on your writing. I read somewhere a very famous writer said the most important ingredient was "bum-gum". Your backside has to be stuck to the seat for a very long time to get a book written. As for the rest, just start writing. For me, it begins with character.

Answer 5

First and foremost, you must write. Every day. It doesn't even matter what you write or how much, just that you write. As for myself, I write late in the evening usually, because there are fewer distractions. It is important to learn about the craft, read as much as you can, and if at all possible, network with other writers whenever you can. One very good source for instruction and motivation is the Writer's Digest Magazine. There are always items in there to address various aspects of the writing life, such as agents, publishers, self publishing, writing prompts and even contests. I would suggest going to the library and looking through a copy of this magazine. I would also suggest having a notebook with you at all times and even if all you write is a stray sentence or an interesting name, it is always a plus for your craft. There could very well come a time when that is precisely the name you need for the perfect character. Good luck.

Answer 6

I use some of the characters I've created in different online RP's (role playing forums). It helps me to get to know them better. They will suddenly take on a life of their own.



Another good thing is to join a writing website or community, to exchange critiques, ideas and techniques with hundreds of authors around the world. I highly recommend www.fanstory.com I've learned so much during my two years there and I can honestly say that I am a better writer because of the feedback I received.



I've also keep a notebook that contains the backstory, character sheets, world building issues, like maps and history, timeline, magick system etc. You should know as much as possible about the background of your story, even if it's never mentioned in your book.

Answer 7

-- I always go to the same spot when I write. Go to a quiet, comfortable place in your house- your favorite room to be in. You want to be comfortable and undistracted so nothing can get you away from your craft. You can also...



-- ...Get into the environment you are writing about. To truly write about what you know, you have to have done it or experienced it. It's hard to write about a death when you haven't felt it. If you are writing about what goes on at the beach, go to the beach. You won't be making up a story that may not flow properly. It will all be happening and that much easier to record.



-- I try to spread out my time writing. I don't like to write too much in one day because the next day - or maybe for a whole week or more - I'll feel burnt out by writing. Take your time.



-- Be organized. Keep a notepad or book by you anytime so you can jot down any little thing that comes to mind. When you are done, put everything in the same place, all papers together so your thoughts can all be looked at and aren't as scattered (though they still will be).



-- When jotting down thoughts or notes, try to keep it as simple as possible without forgetting what you were writing about later on. You can elaborate later.



-- Get your initial plot and characters down before you start officially writing. I like to have character descriptions and how I envision them, too.



-- Don't be afraid to go above and beyond.

Answer 8

I have to ride the bus to and from work everyday, so that's where I write. So if you're stuck somewhere you don't want to be, and you can use that opportunity to write, do so. Also, don't be afraid to write anywhere you go. I used to be self conscious about writing in public but I got over it. Carry a little note pad with you, either in your purse or back pocket. When you think of something, write it down. My experience is you get your best ideas when you're least prepared. Good Luck!

Answer 9

I find you can't force it. If a story wants to come out, the best thing to do is to just let it.

Go ahead and the story wander, even if it takes to weird places you've never really intended it to go. If you feel like writing the middle first before the beginning and end, go ahead. There are no rules to writing. Grammar and spelling are a basic courtesy.

Don't miss a chance to write.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Answer 10

Interview your characters. Talk to them. Discover what makes them tick. Put them in scenarios and pretend to *be* them. Discover their goals and fears, likes and dislikes, what makes them happy and what makes them miserable. If you've got good, well-developed characters, it shows.



Also, learn about the world your characters live in. Even if it's not fantasy, it kinda stinks to say your character's bedroom's on the first floor in the north part of the house in chapter one then accidently change it to the second floor in the eastern part in chapter four. Sketch out floorplans of their house, the map of their street, name the roads, that kind of stuff.

Answer 11

Hilarious!