Just Write!
A friend of mine wants to write a book. She has a story in mind and the story sounds good to me but in the last six months, she has written one page. I ask her how it's going and she re-sends me the one page.
"Wow, how do you do it," people ask. I often wonder myself. I work full-time and sometimes it's hard to find the time to write, but I’ve learned to "free write." It's simple really: I write whatever I want; there are no rules. There will be no grades or ratings. No one will see it. I write what I want to write, no matter how silly or disjointed it sounds. Of course, I will proof and edit later, but for now, I just write.
I have a 40-minute commute to and from work and why waste that time? Often I write long-hand and then type it later. I always carry a print-out of my latest draft and a red pen for editing. It does sound simple, and it is. Why make it hard on myself? During lunch hour, I can do the same. Then, when I want to think about the plot line or character development, I take a break for a few days. It's not very scientific, I know, but it seems to work for me.
I was a beta-reader for a writer who would send me sequential chapters to read. I was in awe of her dedication to write chapter after chapter, and always in order. I would receive chapters 1-4, then chapters 5 and 6, then chapters 7-10. I don't write that way; I don't think I could. I write the action scenes first and maybe a conversation and then write around the conversation-where the characters were, what their bodies were doing, etc.
Everyone is unique in their writing style. I say write how you like to write. Don't stare at the blank page, wanting to do it like someone else. The "professionals" can try to tell you how you should write until the cows come home-but that won't get words-your unique words-on a page.
I say keep it simple: Feel it...do it...Just Write!
Joanie Chevalier
Author of Deadly Dating Games
"Wow, how do you do it," people ask. I often wonder myself. I work full-time and sometimes it's hard to find the time to write, but I’ve learned to "free write." It's simple really: I write whatever I want; there are no rules. There will be no grades or ratings. No one will see it. I write what I want to write, no matter how silly or disjointed it sounds. Of course, I will proof and edit later, but for now, I just write.
I have a 40-minute commute to and from work and why waste that time? Often I write long-hand and then type it later. I always carry a print-out of my latest draft and a red pen for editing. It does sound simple, and it is. Why make it hard on myself? During lunch hour, I can do the same. Then, when I want to think about the plot line or character development, I take a break for a few days. It's not very scientific, I know, but it seems to work for me.
I was a beta-reader for a writer who would send me sequential chapters to read. I was in awe of her dedication to write chapter after chapter, and always in order. I would receive chapters 1-4, then chapters 5 and 6, then chapters 7-10. I don't write that way; I don't think I could. I write the action scenes first and maybe a conversation and then write around the conversation-where the characters were, what their bodies were doing, etc.
Everyone is unique in their writing style. I say write how you like to write. Don't stare at the blank page, wanting to do it like someone else. The "professionals" can try to tell you how you should write until the cows come home-but that won't get words-your unique words-on a page.
I say keep it simple: Feel it...do it...Just Write!
Joanie Chevalier
Author of Deadly Dating Games
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