Let Your Fingers Do the Typing
So, you have this unique premise for a story that you just know in your bones, your heart of hearts, and gut, has great potential. Now what? There are no right or wrong answers to this question, but have no fear, Wordy has tips at the ready to help you get started. It’s time to release the story from your head and throw it down on paper.
Don’t have a writing tantrum. Stay calm and get your glam squad ready to give your lump of writing clay its day on paper. Sculpt your story and keep on sculpting until it’s done. Take what you need from the ideas below. Skip the ones you’re not drawn to. Add a few of your own.
This sounds easy but with our busy lives of juggling so many things like work, family, pets, and all the responsibilities of life at home, not to mention all the monkey wrenches that get thrown in on a daily basis, finding time to write is not as simple as it sounds. Take as much control as you can in this area. Maybe writing at night when everyone is asleep and you’ve shaken off the day’s problems, is your jam. Go for it. Look forward to it. Make the most of it. If you’re like me, jump into writing in the morning after fully caffeinating. If you work full-time things can get tricky. Set aside part of your lunch hour to devote to writing.
Whenever your best writing time is, seize the moment and go all in ready to kick ass and take names. A cautionary tidbit of advice though - don’t beat yourself up if life gets in the way and you can’t stick to a rigid writing schedule. Take a break. Let it go. Tomorrow is another day.
If you’re old-school, grab your pen and paper. If you’re riding the wave of technology with all its ease and flexibility, your laptop. Or maybe a combo of both.
Collect your thoughts, ideas, sticky notes, and notebooks.
Find your best writing spot to spark creativity. I prefer my laptop, on the couch, in the living room or at the beach with a pad and pen. You may prefer the solitude of an office or library, the hustle and bustle of a coffee shop, or out in nature. Whatever works for you, settle in with your gadgets and gizmos and hopefully, once you do, like Pavlov’s dogs, your writing juices will get the signal to gear up, and your mind will automatically ready itself to weave your tale of intrigue or write your non-fiction masterpiece.
Bring your A-game with any techniques you feel will help or pilfer a few from Wordy's Writing Bag of Tricks.
Though I use them sometimes, I’m not a big fan of outlines. Please partake if that floats your boat. I love my sticky notes and notebooks where I can categorize characters, dialogue, plot, conflict, and stakes. The point is to at least have a rough idea of where your story is going.
Some writers love a good visual representation. Try a storyboard or vision board. Fill it with drawings, direction, dialogue, characters, plot, photos, and anything else you have planned for your story. Add or subtract from it as you wish. A storyboard can be beneficial in remembering ideas, scenes, and everything important to your story.
Character worksheets are a great way to keep track of characters, their appearance, persona, idiosyncrasies, mannerisms, the way they speak, who they’re related to, or have a relationship with, etc. Refer to them as needed. Add to them at will.
You may find yourself down a rabbit hole when you research for your narrative, but it’s worth the trouble. I’ve found that Google is like a magic friend that can lead to new ideas, characters, scenes, dialogue, and even plot. You start with a click then another and soon you’re writing juices are overflowing with fresh thoughts. Besides adding authenticity to your novel, research can take your story in an entirely different direction. One that wasn’t on your radar. So, it’s all good. Embrace research and you may find exciting and amazing ways to express yourself through your writing.
Okay, so you’ve carved out time to write, gathered your tools, settled into your comfy spot, created a rough outline or more, and gotten your facts straight. It’s time to type away or write long hand until your wrist aches. Bang out that wonderful story and bathe in the light as you journey down the road to your finished masterpiece.
