Do It YOUR Way

Here I am procrastinating on the brink of writing my first novel. I've tried a few methods to outline my book by mind-mapping it, staring at sample outlines, downloading outline templates…only to come to the conclusion that I have to create it MY way. Writing is an art; a creative process. Classically trained artists study the processes of the masters and some even try to emulate their style. In the end, you find that your best work comes when you just…LET GO.

That's where I am. It is by no means my intention to undermine the advice of countless successful authors, but they did it their way. Creation is as unique to the individual as a fingerprint. You can't create something new and different by emulating someone else. Take advice, but mold it to work for you. Let the process take over and control every aspect of creation from the method you use to outline to the last period. "Bob's outline" might look great on the page, but it's Bob's.

If you flow better with a physical pen to the page, start doing your hand exercises because 50,000+ words is A LOT. If you want to spend some quality time with your laptop because your brain is too fast for your cursive slant, what are you waiting for? Brew some coffee, tea, buy a 6-pack of Pepsi, a pack of smokes, a Large McDonald's French Fries or whatever you need to feed your vices. Cut out the distractions and prepare to virtually hibernate…because the time is now.

Do this thing YOUR way. That's the only way it's going to get done. All the specialized software and sample outlines in the world won't feed your creative juices. Get the $ signs out of your head. This is for you and them, your readers. Write. Write like never before. Write like there's no tomorrow. Push. Push yourself…push until you have that rough draft…until it sits before you tangibly. Then proofread. Stay tuned, because that's the next post.