This is the first in my series of weekly blogs. I figure the best place to start is where the story truly begins. But just let me say that these are just my experiences in the writing world. Everyone has different opinions about what to do/what not to do, so if you don't agree with what I suggest, that's totally cool.
Let's get started, shall we?
Ideas can come in any form no matter the time of day. You could be reading a book about wizardry and think "gee, I'd really like to write something about banana muffins!" The television could be playing out some mindless drama and you could decide, in that moment, that you could write something way more believable than that. Fact is, with enough determination, you probably could.
No idea is too big or too small. You don't have to be the best writer in the world to have the best ideas. J.K. Rowling is one of my literary idols, and I guarantee it took many drafts and long, tea-fueled nights to get Harry Potter to where it is today.
Once you get the idea, write it down immediately, doesn't matter if that is a word document or a scrap piece of paper. The worst thing you can do is not write it down then forget about it, especially if it comes to you when you're half asleep. Yeah, getting out of that nice warm bed can suck, but it's worth it, especially if the idea grows into something amazing. The nice thing about ideas is there really is no shortage of them.
Okay, so you have your idea, now what? Well, I guess now would be a good time to decide if that idea is meant to be a poem, short story, or full-length novel. If it's something along the lines of "a school of wizardry", I doubt you could cover all the amazing things that happen in 1000-10,000 words. Okay, maybe with 10,000 you could, but I usually try to keep my short stories, well, short.
Say you decide to write a novel. Your idea needs to be expanded upon. Who is the antagonist of your story? What is your plot? How do you get from A to B to C? Where does the climax fit into all of this? How doe the whole thing end? Better yet, how are you going to begin? Nothing about this is going to be easy, but one of the ways I do it makes the process less stressful.
Cut up pieces of paper into squares and placed them before you. On each piece, write out something you want to happen in the story. It can be as simply as "Susie goes to the store" or "Bella fights the dragon". Keep the statements brief. Once the papers are all filled up, arrange them in an order that you think they should follow in the story. This, then, becomes your plot. This can also be useful for short stories, depending on the length!
The best thing about the paper process is you can always switch where you want things to go afterwards. You can even add in more pieces when another idea comes to you. Don't feel limited to a certain amount of pieces. Creativity has a way of getting a hold of you when you least expect it, and it helps to just go with the flow. There's always room for editing once you've got a basic plot line going.
If you run out of ideas and want to get back into the flow, read some of your favourite stories. What is it about them that makes them your favourite? Watch TV. What about some TV shows makes them compelling for the audience? Don't be afraid to just wander a public place and wait for creativity to hit you. It can be as easy as having a conversation with your friend!
Well, that's all I have for you today. I hope some of these things I said helped. If I forgot anything, leave a comment! Also, if you have any ideas for next week's blog, comment!
Let's get started, shall we?
Ideas can come in any form no matter the time of day. You could be reading a book about wizardry and think "gee, I'd really like to write something about banana muffins!" The television could be playing out some mindless drama and you could decide, in that moment, that you could write something way more believable than that. Fact is, with enough determination, you probably could.
No idea is too big or too small. You don't have to be the best writer in the world to have the best ideas. J.K. Rowling is one of my literary idols, and I guarantee it took many drafts and long, tea-fueled nights to get Harry Potter to where it is today.
Once you get the idea, write it down immediately, doesn't matter if that is a word document or a scrap piece of paper. The worst thing you can do is not write it down then forget about it, especially if it comes to you when you're half asleep. Yeah, getting out of that nice warm bed can suck, but it's worth it, especially if the idea grows into something amazing. The nice thing about ideas is there really is no shortage of them.
Okay, so you have your idea, now what? Well, I guess now would be a good time to decide if that idea is meant to be a poem, short story, or full-length novel. If it's something along the lines of "a school of wizardry", I doubt you could cover all the amazing things that happen in 1000-10,000 words. Okay, maybe with 10,000 you could, but I usually try to keep my short stories, well, short.
Say you decide to write a novel. Your idea needs to be expanded upon. Who is the antagonist of your story? What is your plot? How do you get from A to B to C? Where does the climax fit into all of this? How doe the whole thing end? Better yet, how are you going to begin? Nothing about this is going to be easy, but one of the ways I do it makes the process less stressful.
Cut up pieces of paper into squares and placed them before you. On each piece, write out something you want to happen in the story. It can be as simply as "Susie goes to the store" or "Bella fights the dragon". Keep the statements brief. Once the papers are all filled up, arrange them in an order that you think they should follow in the story. This, then, becomes your plot. This can also be useful for short stories, depending on the length!
The best thing about the paper process is you can always switch where you want things to go afterwards. You can even add in more pieces when another idea comes to you. Don't feel limited to a certain amount of pieces. Creativity has a way of getting a hold of you when you least expect it, and it helps to just go with the flow. There's always room for editing once you've got a basic plot line going.
If you run out of ideas and want to get back into the flow, read some of your favourite stories. What is it about them that makes them your favourite? Watch TV. What about some TV shows makes them compelling for the audience? Don't be afraid to just wander a public place and wait for creativity to hit you. It can be as easy as having a conversation with your friend!
Well, that's all I have for you today. I hope some of these things I said helped. If I forgot anything, leave a comment! Also, if you have any ideas for next week's blog, comment!