The urge to write fiction seems God given for some, a learned skill for others.
One thing is certain ? it requires practice and a particular mindset. But, if you're a beginner, where do you start?
The following 10 tips will help kick-start your writing habit, whether you're a complete novice, or perhaps a pro who has lost their way!
1. Step Away From the Car, Sir.
Slightly detach yourself from your surroundings. Stop participating and begin observing. In social situations, watch people, see how they act and ? more importantly - interact.
Don't pass judgment. Take it all in ? and draw on it later when you write.
2. Look Harder, Homer
Stop and look around you. Consciously notice the buildings, what's underfoot, overhead, and what's right in front of you.
At home, look at something you take for granted. An iron, for instance. Find yours and study it.
3. Write Thinking Will Be Rewarded.
A simple technique. Your mother is making tea and you are chatting to her. Take a mental step back and describe the scene.
Similarly, when you're outside, describe your environment as though you were writing it down.
4. What Reasons Do You Need?
Don't wait for inspiration ? just write!
Force yourself to write anything at all. A shopping list. An overheard conversation. Describe your bedroom.
It doesn't matter how personal it is, or how trivial, just get it down!
5. Wakey Wakey!
Set your alarm clock for an hour earlier than normal.
When the alarm goes off, get up. Don't dress, bathe or eat. Don't even make coffee. Just stagger to your writing space and write the first thing that comes into your head for five minutes.
6. Oh God ? Not That!
Think of the most awful and embarrassing thing you've ever done - the more cringe-worthy the better. Now write about it. All of it, in all its gory, horrible detail.
Then hide it away for a year or so before you read it again!
7. Like Your Style, Baby.
Don't limit yourself. Write poems, songs, dialogue, fact, fiction, even practice writing advertising copy or horoscopes.
Your expertise improves in all areas ? an improvement in one area can reap benefits in another.
8. The Sincerest Flattery
Take out a classic book from your bookcase. Copy out a paragraph. Think about the words as you write them. Don't get intimidated!
9. Wanna See My Invention?
When you're not writing, string together stories in your mind. Think of plots, characters, settings, d?nouements.
Ask yourself what you should do next to improve your writing.
Develop this technique into a habit.
10. It's A Goal!
When you start writing regularly, set yourself small goals. Anything from 200 words a day, or just a commitment to writing in your diary.
Later extend to finishing a short story, or an article or a poem. Perhaps one in a week.
The trick is to set goals you can achieve easily.
That way you'll get the writing habit - and you won't forget to enjoy it!
About The Author
Rob Parnell is founder of the Easy Way to Write, a young Internet company committed to giving excellent writing resources to novice and seasoned writers. For free writing lessons and much more visit: http://easywaytowrite.com
premium house cleaning Wilmette ..You know you've got writing talent. Others enjoy your work... Read More
When I was young, I used to talk to myself.... Read More
Take out a white piece of paper and place it... Read More
1. PLAY A GAME LIKE SOLITAIRE....for half an hour or... Read More
Arrogance has a bad rap. We think of arrogant people... Read More
If a writer considers writing to be a task, he/she... Read More
When we write stories, with the purpose of sharing them... Read More
Today I took the dog for a walk and realized... Read More
If you are like most writers, you're constantly searching for... Read More
Listen, consider this scenario.You have a deadline to honour. Time... Read More
Writers are an insecure lot.It's easy to understand why. You... Read More
It never ceases to amaze me when a prospective writer... Read More
Do you consider yourself a storyteller? Do you consider yourself... Read More
So, you want to freelance as an editor, writer, copy... Read More
Every writer eventually develops her own unique style of writing.... Read More
Sailors had it for years. Great explorers had it as... Read More
Hundreds of writing contests tempt screenwriters with the lure of... Read More
I've seen it time and again. One of the most... Read More
Choosing the wrong words can have a poor effect on... Read More
You are far more likely to successfully write and publish... Read More
Interested in breaking into writing or breaking into a new... Read More
It would be very selfless or noble of me to... Read More
The Big IdeaOkay. So youve figured out that you would... Read More
ELICIT, ILLICITElicit means to extract or draw out; illicit means... Read More
There's nothing that kills a scene like hackneyed dialogue. Just... Read More
personalized cleaning services Deerfield ..Back in the mid to late 1980s I was a... Read More
If you have been online for any length of time... Read More
Sometimes I can be dense when it comes to realizing... Read More
Most of us hate housework.Nevertheless, even the most hopeless slobs... Read More
A few months ago, I wrote a guide entitled: 101... Read More
Yes, you know your subject. You also need to think... Read More
What do you mean, you don't have a website yet?... Read More
The first and final rule of quality writing is this:... Read More
Written communication is often the first impression you make on... Read More
What Makes a Great Headline?Headlines are far more important than... Read More
Have you ever read someone else's writing and thought one... Read More
My dad was wrong. I just discovered that I am... Read More
To help build your profile and reputation within a large... Read More
I???ve spoken to hundreds of editors, employers, and project managers... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?For a theme to work and the... Read More
I'm willing to bet that quite a number of you... Read More
Have you ever started a creative writing project with great... Read More
For several years before I left teaching to write full... Read More
LATER, LATTERLater means afterwards; latter is the second of two... Read More
The principle for writing good screenplays begins with good idea... Read More
Great writing transports one vicariously to realms that the reader... Read More
(This excerpt is taken from my new writing workshop Writing... Read More
There is a psychological nuisance so powerful that can deflate... Read More
Human beings seem to be born with a gene for... Read More
Writer's Block can strike like a King Cobra, paralyzing every... Read More
Writing |