Articles archived for October 2010
At some point everyone aspires to write a novel. Then the hypothetical writer sits down to write, Grand Idea in tow, and can’t find a way to realize it. Then the hypothetical writer gets depressed, closes the window, and quits working for six months, though they continue to tell everyone they know that they’re either writing or “getting ready to write” a novel.
You don’t want to be one of those people who talks about getting things done more than they get things done. Instead, if you want to be writing a novel, you should be writing a novel. Here are some creative ways to get that novel started.
1. Cut to the chase.
Don’t think in terms of establishing everything right away, especially if your grand masterwork hasn’t been outlined and will be more made up as you go along (as if things aren’t made up as you go along). If there’s a single event, or a character, or some other factor that’s making you feel forced to write, write about that right away. It doesn’t even necessarily need a place in your novel
right away; you’ll find a place for it as you go, and establishing that will help make everything else come naturally.
2. Don’t begin at the beginning.
Beginnings and endings are brutally, painfully difficult. They require a whole lot of revision and a great deal of planning to make them successful, effective and not bogged down in cliché. Start from just about anywhere else and your chances of getting frustrated go down considerably; your beginning and end will come when they come. Don’t assume that you’re writing a beginning
when you start writing, and that you’ll find a place for the first pieces you write as you get further along in your writing project.
3. Power through your first draft.
Don’t assume that you’re going to craft something truly great as you simply start writing. Instead of reading and rereading when you only have a few pages, keep moving; when a cohesive whole, or the seed of a cohesive whole, starts to take shape, begin revising then. You’ll feel a thousand times less prone to abandoning the entire project if you’re trying to support more than only a few hours’ worth of work, and your increased investment in the project will help you in the long term as you seriously approach the revision process later on.
4. Experiment with narration. (point-of-view)
If you find it difficult to write in the third-person, try writing from the first-person. Or consider even trying an epistolary format or another version of second-person address. In doing so, you might find yourself suddenly more invested in a character, or a concept, or discovering things that do and don’t work for you as a writer or the long-form work that you’re attempting to complete.
5. Read fiction that inspires you. Poach a good idea if you find one.
Supposedly at some point Pablo Picasso said that “Talent borrows, genius steals.” Don’t steal someone else’s work and don’t plagiarize, but if something moves you enough to start writing, ask yourself why it affects you so much and why it works, and twist that concept or idea until it begins to feel like yours. The best writers are also voracious readers of fiction; they know tropes and the rules of language well enough to be able to subvert and play with them, and how to make something that stands out in a world in which thousands of books are published yearly and there aren’t that many readers. Bringing up your consumption can only help you in the long run.
Andrew Hall is a guest blogger for Pounding the Pavement and a writer on call center management for Guide to Career Education.
Joseph Clark of The First Footsteps of Poetry wanted to share these tips from his blog with the readers at The Craft of Writing Fiction. Then I read Anne Fortier’s guest post from Writer’s Digest about her Golden Rules of Being a Writer and thought these little “rules” are a great idea. After you’ve read Joseph’s post, please take a moment to share your own “Golden Rules” in the comments.
Dreaming up that first draft requires a lot of time, and the patience of a saint. We all have a real life outside of our imagination; if we could combine the two, there wouldn’t be a straight line in sight across the globe. To be a writer, having an over active imagination is an obvious must, but it is only one of the many traits a good scholar needs in his or her arsenal.
It becomes increasingly evident that good parents also make good writers, as long as the first need is met. Parenting is about having the patience of a saint, so is shaping and editing any piece of work, or even waiting for the idea. It’s been known for weeks or even months before that golden idea will hit. So always keep up with your real life because you never know when your fictional one will want to sweep you away.
How to bring your first draft into existence
- Poetry:
- Build up a firm understanding of poetry in general
- Experiment with poetical devices and forms
- Imagery, symbolism and other theories, familiarise yourself with them!
- never forget, the meter is almost more important than the words
- Novel writing:
- You can’t fluke it, you need to know what you’re doing
- Set the scene, it must be as vivid for the reader as it is for you
- Live in the world yourself, know about it and make all the notes you can
- Keep your paragraphs in line, let the reader breathe.
My Golden Rules of Being a Writer
I’ll end these tips with my five golden rules for being a writer:
- No research is ever wasted, know your topic
- No such thing as bad criticism when it’s constructive
- Not everything has to have a deeper meaning, some like simplicity
- Patience, it always comes to you when you relax
- Even writers need down time, it means you can work all that bit harder.
With this very short, but hopefully helpful bundle of words, I hope to have guided or inspired someone out there to succeed at what I’ve devoted most of my life to already. Happy writing!
What are your own Golden Rules of Being a Writer?
A good friend of mine asked if I could help her with a novel. Instead of writing a long, detailed email that could be deleted on accident, it made sense to share some ideas with all fiction writers. Now she will have something to refer to at any time and so will you.
Believable dialogue in any story is a bane to writers. Maybe not all writers. I do know that on forums and other online areas I see authors struggling to get their characters talking to each other. They are not quite sure how to get a conversation going, keep it moving, and end it with finesse.
That’s okay, folks. Those are hard concepts in day to day speech, too. I think everyone has dealt with those awkward moments of silence in a conversation. We are not sure what to say and I don’t know about you…but at those times I begin to wonder if the other person thinks I am socially challenged. (I am, but that’s a whole ‘nother can o’ beans.)
So, we sit and we struggled. A million ideas run through our minds. What to say? Will they think we sound stressed? That we’re pushing too hard? What if we say the wrong thing?
Your character thinks the same things that you do. Your characters are only extensions of yourself. Even that nasty villain running about kicking puppies is a dark bit of your soul. He’s worried that when he (or she) laughs maniacally then delivers his evil lines, the hero is going to snort in total derision and ask where he took his villain lessons. Gap sales school?
He does. He worries a lot. It’s hard being evil. Darn heroes make it that much harder.
The key to creating this dialogue is to think about what you would do in the same situation. You or your darker half. If you insist that these characters would not react as you would, then think of someone you know. Put your mother in law in the villain suit. That shouldn’t be too hard, right?
Now that you have the tools to get the conversation started and move it along, (really, that’s it – responding how you or someone you know well would), we need to talk about flow. Everyone hates reading stilted conversations. It makes you painfully aware of how hard the author is trying to sound ‘real’.
My best tip for creating and then polishing a written conversation? Read it out loud. How does it sound? If it sounds fake, try recording one character’s half of the conversation and reply back to it. Don’t force it to sound grammatically correct. How many people do you know in real life conversations that speak proper English 100% of the time? Write down your replies and then add to your document. Wash, rinse, and repeat. If you have a willing friend or a spouse you can bribe into helping you with the speaking parts, do it! You will have a superior end product.
Ending a conversation is just as hard as opening, moving, and polishing. There is no real key to this lock. Again, you need to refer to real life conversations. How do you end one? Do you make an excuse to get off of an instant message or phone call? Your characters can do this, too. Get into the mind of your character. Know what she would do. BE your character! Is she feeling uncomfortable or bored? Have her lie to the other character. “I have to walk the dog” or “Oops, doorbell” is going to work for her in the same way it will for you. In a face to face conversation, have her think up something that she needs to go and do.
And now, excuse me, but I really have to go walk the dog.
It’s amazing to me that I’ve spent a year blocked in many of my writing mediums. Blogging became a chore that caused more stress than pleasure, writing a short article came with as much pain as a tooth extraction and everything else, down to advertising copy, seemed “blah.” I was fighting an enormous block, mostly surrounded by medical conditions, treatments and therapy. But blocked, I was.
I finally went out and purchased a brand new journal and wrote only when something incredible happened. Not all those incredible moments were good, but incredible still. As I found comfort in working with words again, I ventured outside of my self-imposed barricade and began taking note of extraordinary happenings in the world around. With that, I had a little more fuel for that only-sometimes-used journal.
I decided that I was going to no longer work as a paid writer.
Yep. I said it.
I evaluated why I once loved writing and why that changed. I received my first-ever blue ribbon that came from writing almost twenty years ago. I loved words then. I explored new avenues of writing, didn’t harbor any self-doubt. Everything I did was perfect, because it was done. I cherished that time in my life as a writer.
But today, I can say that I don’t like deadlines. I do not like stress. Simplicity is what I need; in writing, living and life. So simplicity it is. And a very long hiatus from writing, at least writing anything for anyone.
And now, I have a great relationship with my Muse again. I only write inspired words and write them when inspired. I keep my notebook and pen handy for the moments when I cannot devote hours to writing as to retain that which my Muse delivered. And I play. I am nurturing all aspects of my creative self – including painting, again. The process of keeping myself readily available for my muse in all creative aspects has made me able to write again, for an audience.
Every writer experiences writer’s block. Good writers know when to put down the pen. For me, that pen was down for nearly a year. And now, it feels good to write.
Do you spend time nurturing other creative avenues in your life?
When I began my small e-publishing house, I knew that eventually there would be some very bad submissions. This isn’t to say that the writers submitting are bad, but that they have no grasp on the English language.
Okay, I know that sounds mean. Let me explain.
When you take the time to write a story, you want to paint a picture with words. Words are your tools – a painter chooses the right brush for his canvas, a writer chooses the right word for his scene. An artist that wishes to paint a detailed landscape doesn’t grab the house painter’s brush, does he? Then you, as a writer, shall not paint your scenes with strokes so broad that the scene is annihilated.
Yes, there is such a thing as abstract art. There is also abstract writing. That’s great, but if I (or any other editor) have no clue what you’re saying or trying to describe – you are not getting accepted. I will admire your courage in trying something new. I will be glad you chose my house to submit to…but I’m not going to subject readers to the confusion. You will receive a polite and personal rejection.
Is that horrible? To some writers, maybe. We all know the type, the ‘Anne Rice doesn’t allow editors to change her words, why should I?” writers. Here’s a simple, honest answer: “Because you aren’t Anne Rice, honey.” The lady is a wonderful writer, but even the great lady herself knows when to listen to reason.
Also, there are some subjects that editors do not wish to see. Please, for the love of everything that is good in the world, read our submissions guidelines. Do not send something we have listed in the ‘Do Not Want’ section. Not long ago I received a short story that glorified mental child abuse. Using abuse as an element of horror is fine, but going into minute detail of how cool the abuse is…that is different. It’s enough to warrant no response along with doubts about your mental health. Oh, and the editor using your submission as an example of what not to send when she writes a guest post on a fiction writing blog.
Unless you’re submitting to some really sick sites, most editors do not want to see anything glorifying abuse, pedophilia, rape, and anything else that is illegal or possibly illegal to publish. There are presses that will push the limits – if your tastes run to the extreme end of things, I’d suggest checking out their guidelines.
There are a myriad of other transgressions that can have your work rejected by a publisher. Misspellings, horrid grammar, unbelievable plot/characters, and poorly constructed conversation. I left these for last, because most writers will understand that these are elements expected to be as perfect as possible.
Most writers.
Then again, there are individuals out there that believe their writing will be published even with their limited grasp of high school English. Again, I am coming across as mean. That’s fine, I intend to do so. Far better to read it here than to receive an email or letter from a publisher outlining just why you are coming across as illiterate. I love you all and believe that a firm hand in the beginning will stop you from making a fool of yourself.
So, in a nutshell:
- Be descriptive and use the right words to describe your settings/characters.
- You’re not Anne Rice. (Unless of course you are and in that case, HI ANNE!) Let your editor do his or her job.
- Read guidelines before submitting a manuscript. If you do not, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
- Don’t be a sicko. Send that junk elsewhere.
- Re-evaluate your writing skills. Take a few writing courses – online or off. Brush up on your grammar and spelling.
Even if you have done everything ‘wrong’ on this list, you’re not lost. Everyone starts somewhere and admitting you have a problem is the first step. The next step is harder…polishing your writing, but soon you’ll be amazed at how far you have come.
What other submission guidelines for every fiction writer can you share? What errors have you noticed crop up in your own writing? How can writers cut down on the number of those rejection slips they receive?
Rebecca: When was the last time you evaluated your goals, examined your dreams? Get real with yourself about who you are, what you want, and what really drives your life and your writing. Mysti Guymon-Reutlinger visits today during her own sabbatical. She is taking a few months to discover herself and shares this interview with oneself that we can each do to find or rediscover the writer within.
I’ve spent a great deal of time writing for WRA (now The Craft of Writing Fiction) discussing time management, office practices, and tools to help you succeed. Given the time since my last article here, there might be question as to my continued work. Let me assure you that Rebecca has been more than patient with me in regards to articles and there will be plenty more from me in the future. For now, I’m doing something outside the box for myself.
This morning, I woke to find silence in my house and, with my creative juices flowing, posed an interview to myself. This is something I’ve done with fictional characters to better understand their needs and desires and how they blend with the story line set forth.
Why did you decide to ‘disappear?’
It wasn’t a decision I made lightly. I have had many responsibilities in the writing world that I left. But in the end I know I needed to find Mysti beneath all the chaos to better serve my clients, family and me.
What are you hoping to find while off the map?
There are aspects of myself that I loved as a teen. I had an incredible determination to set goals and achieve them, no matter the odds. My life was simpler, allowing me the opportunity to really hammer out the kinks in what I was doing to reach success. By stepping away, I hope to regain much of that determination I once possessed.
Who are you wanting to become?
I can’t say I want to become anyone in particular. I want to be myself without the tension headaches and stress knots in my back. I want to rework how I work to have a wholesome, fulfilling life. I’m working on myself and my life to ensure that I have the best opportunity to achieve what it is I truly desire from life in general.
Where did you come up with this idea?
I’m sure I could bore you with the lengthy story, but in summary; I realized that I wasn’t happy on my current path and wanted to find a pleasant middle-ground again. I’ve always been an advocate for taking time for oneself and disconnecting from the computer, work and daily grind. Stepping away from all of those responsibilities for an extended period of time seemed very fitting for me. I’ve never been one to put one toe in the water to test the temperature, I’d rather jump in, feet first.
How are you working on yourself?
I am doing something different each day. From pampering my body and soul to trying new activities and foods. I am also reconnecting with family very intently after one very shocking and difficult death of recent weeks. Through all of that, I’m uncovering a new way to think, evaluate, act and react.
When do you plan on really resurfacing?
On my 30th birthday, October 30, 2010. I gave myself 4 months and 7 days to really work on myself and my life.
Is there any knowledge you’ve gained thus far that would help our readers?
By that, I’m not saying bail on all your gigs or writing endeavors. Instead, evaluate where you want to go and what key factors are most important. When running any business, you are in control of your destiny. You decide what is best for you and what isn’t. Act accordingly and you can find yourself enjoying the passion that inspired you to become a writer in the first place.
While this interview with myself is outside the box, the technique brings out great thought and understanding. When working with fictional characters, the questions I pose are much more intense and private. Just like I need to know myself at this stage in my life, knowing my characters inside and out will help me carry them through a story to completion.
What have you learned, or are you learning, about yourself as a writer? What would you ask yourself to find you and your voice?
Photo Credit: ihave3kids
Most writers are voracious readers as well, devouring books as fast as our busy lives will allow us. This love of reading starts at a young age, as fairy tales and the magic of books turns us on to the allure of the written word. Yet, when we are struggling with our own writing, it is easy to forget to go back to the source, and read a few books to renew our first love.
There are so many variations of fiction writing available that it is hard to decide which ones to read first. As writers, we want to use our reading time to our best advantage, reading works that will infuse our writing with renewed enthusiasm and inspiration. It is difficult to just read for pleasure. I find myself picking apart stories as I go, commenting to myself on the author’s use of metaphor or point of view. Choosing the right story will help you relax your editor’s brain, allow you to be fully immersed in the story as you read it, and come away with new writing techniques.
Classic Vs. Modern Books
When most writers think of reading to inspire writing, they turn to the literary classics, books that we may have read in school that have been deemed timeless and well written. It can be fun to read these tomes of literature, and examining them for creative word play and stunning characterization. Millions of people have enjoyed these works, and many more will for years to come.
However, writing is a constantly evolving medium, spanning the centuries. Styles, topics of interest, and audiences have all changed over time. Therefore, the classic books may not help you write a fantastic novel today. Reading modern novels will keep you on the front page of writing style, and act as a breath of fresh air to your writing. If you already have a stack of new books waiting to be read – or queued up in your Kindle – enjoy them without a sense of guilt for not reading the classic works of literature.
Genre Novels Vs. Literary Fiction
Choosing what genre to read within is another point of contention for the reading writer. As a reader, you have your favorite genres to read within, which may or may not be the same as what you write within. For instance, I love writing fantasy stories, but I read fantasy, science fiction, and even the occasional romance novel. It is up to you to decide whether reading a story within your genre is inspiring or off-putting. A well-written book causes me to whip out my own notebook, and a poorly written one encourages me to write a story far and away better!
Literary works are considered the cream of the crop in writing circles, but often these novels aren’t written for the masses. Their artistic value as uniquely crafted wordplay tends to make them hard to follow for the average reader. If you enjoy literary works, by all means read them! If you don’t, then go ahead and pass them by for something that will refill your well.
Novels Vs. Short Stories
In writing, the length of the story does matter. Novels have room for lots of twists, turns, and subplots, weaving an engaging story that leaves the reader wanting even more. Short stories are powerful within their brevity, making a single, poignant statement within the confines of a few pages.
I usually let how much time I have to devote to reading determine what I’ll read. If I have an afternoon free, I’ll cozy up to a good book, and let myself be immersed in that world. If I need a quick break between writing sessions, I’ll grab a short story to renew my enthusiasm.
What kinds of reading do you enjoy? Do you let your reading materials enhance your writing, or do you fear it will influence it too much? Do you actively read for style and writing mechanics, or do you let the story carry you away?
“The most important kind of freedom
is to be what you really are
You trade in your reality for a role
You give up your ability to feel…
and in exchange…
put on a mask.”
~ Jim Morrison
To be honest, when the Absolute Write Blog Chain regulars were talking topics for this month, I loved the Halloween concept. Ideas immediately leapt to mind. I instantly knew how I could relate All Hallow’s Eve to the craft of writing fiction. But, Halloween is not this month’s theme. Instead, I stare glumly at the word “Masquerade” and wonder, “What can I do with that?”
Say hello to my friend, Writer’s Block. There are many causes but the one that tangled me up is: lack of direction. To move forward we each need to see into the darkness ahead. We must unmask the handsome stranger who is our story (or blog post) because while he is hidden behind a mask he is distant and insubstantial. And THERE it is. The connection between Masquerades and writing.
No matter where you find the source of your idea waterfall, be it a dazzling Muse-moment, or a keyword prompt from your writing community (or client), a story begins like a masquerade ball. The invitations were sent, the catering prepared, the music sets the beat, and we wait for guests to arrive. Without the guests the party is a dismal flop. The guests bring the character and plot to every event.
As the first guests arrive, either in your first paragraph for a pantser, or, planner, as you begin to brainstorm and take notes, you meet their mysterious masked faces. Their trues selves are foreshadowed by the mask they wear. They are hidden beneath lies and half-truths. They exist as something other than who they really are.
We all wear masks, don’t we? We have a face for every situation. We wear the “Mother Lion”, or the “Capable Worker”, or the “Talented Writer” mask and we change our mask as frequently as we change our hats. The elements of our stories wear their masks too. These masks are an illusion. They hide the depth and substance of the person beneath.
Just as a person is never a single mask, owning many, our plot and characters are multi-layered. Life is not simple. It was never meant to be. Life is a song, a story, deep and complicated. The best stories reveal each facet slowly, with sultry looks and edge of the seat anticipation. Mask by mask we reveal the strange creature beneath.
As the Masquerade Ball of your story swells, the room fills with masked strangers. They are freer because of their anonymity. They act and speak with a closer connection to their true selves because they are not themselves. Our story is truer too, before it is fully revealed to us, which is perhaps why it can destroy our motivation if we plan too finitely, but, to uncover the core, to see the final and one true face of our story, we must peel back those layers and discover the intricate characters and plot beneath the surface.
How do you remove the masks of your story? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Check out other great posts from Absolute Write’s October “Masquerade” Blog Chain:
- Auburn Assassin
- Hillary Jacques
- Aimee Laine
- Ralph Pines
- Veinglory
- You’re Here! laffarsmith
- PASeaholtz
- Madelein.Eirwen
- Amy Doodle
- CScottMorris
- Orion_mk3
- FreshHell
- IrishAnnie
- Dolores Haze
- Aidan Watson-Morris
- Aheila
- Wildscribe
- Hayley Lavik
- Semmie
- Bettedra
Image Credit: * Wearing The Mask * by pareerica
Image Credit: S2 Wraps Blends by pareeerica
Woah!
Did you see that?
A meteor, totally, blew up
my house last week!
Oh, right, no, that’s just my two little people and the first week of another school holiday. One of the many joys of the mother-writer is that sometimes little miss and little mister leave me completely unprepared. Have you ever faced the challenges of juggling parenthood and writing?
Thankfully, from these things we can recover. I have another hectic week ahead with vacation swimming taking up our mornings and more family time all afternoon and into the evenings. By the end of the day I’m completely wiped out and crash to bed before I’ve barely glimpsed my email. But I’m determined to make sure we at least have a handful of posts for you. Starting with the announcement of September’s “Year Supply of Pens” Winners.
To give this week a boost I’m welcoming any new (or returning) contributors and guest posters. If you’ve got something you’d love to share about “writing fiction” or the “craft of writing” please add a new post or email me. What have you been talking about with fellow writers? What’s inspiring you? How are you staying motivated? Do you have any writing tips? Can you recommend a great publisher? Want to review a fantastic writer’s book?
Ok, enough of the chatting. Let’s get to those winners. That’s why you’re really here, right?
We had a fantastic response to last month’s contest and I’m looking forward to seeing increasing numbers in the contest I’ll announce later this month. (I’m trying to think up something suitably spooky for Halloween. Got any ideas?) I was so glad I didn’t have to choose three favorites amongst the many entries this month. Instead, I plug in your names into an Excel file in the order you posted your “favorite pen” responses and let the roll of the dice choose three lucky winners.
So, who won?
Give up a great warm, CONGRATULATIONS, to:
I’ll be contacting each of you shortly to make sure I’ve selected your favorite pens and get them shipped out to you as soon as possible. Keep an eye on the snail mail!
If you didn’t win, it’s still a great time to stock up on your supplies of stationery for next year. I’m adding more items to the Crafting Fiction Shop so stop in and see what we’ve got. If it’s not on the list click on any product and browse the complete range offered by Amazon. Let me know if there is something you think is a writer must-have that isn’t in our shop and I’ll add it.
So, now you know, who won and who didn’t. Congratulations to the three winners and good luck to everyone for future CF contests. Ok, right after you’ve shared your comment it’s time to get back to writing! Have a great day!
Image Credit: Rebecca Laffar-Smith (snapshot from SimCity Deluxe on iPhone)
