Hello Readers,
Have you ever felt like like there should be some secret formula to writing that the professionals have figured out but you're still waiting to crack? Because I have too and I've really been puzzling over it lately. I have managed to come to a few conclusions, form my own tips, and gather my favorites from peers, mentors, and professors and would love to share them with you.
But first things first– everyone's process is different and not every method will mesh with your interests or personality. So when figuring out what will work best for you, experiment and don't feel bad if someone's life changing idea isn't the perfect fit. These are simply a few tips that have resonated with me!
- Don't ever let anyone tell you how to write. This one comes from one of my professors this semester. As an experimental writer and someone who wrote about her very personal life experiences, she feels strongly that you don't need to follow the trends or stick to a formula. You should tell your story how you want to tell it and that tale will find its intended audience.
- Discover what time of day you feel most creative. I read somewhere that Stephen King does his writing in the morning after a long walk as he has found that starting his day at the keyboard provides the most conducive time for getting work done. That won't be the same for everyone! You might be more of a late night writer or enjoy finding a sunny patch in the afternoon. If you haven't been catering to your brain's most inventive time, then it is no wonder you are feeling stuck in your progress!
- Make time for yourself. Life gets busy– like, really busy. But I don't need to tell you that! Sometimes, we aren't writing as much as we want to simply because our hectic schedules get the best of us. But just like prioritizing a good night's rest means a solid eight hours of sleep or reminding yourself to make dinner means you carve out the time to cook, making writing a priority means you will be intentional with sitting down at the computer. If you don't put it on your to-do list, you won't do it. So put it in writing (ha, get it?)!
- You probably won't like your first draft. This is one that I'm learning as I work on my own novel. As it's been a work in progress for a few years, I am often forced to embarrass myself by rereading the earlier chapters as I write. Though it makes me want to instantly get to revising, I have to remind myself that this is only the first draft and the red pen will have its time to shine. It won't look pretty until then and that's okay! It is impossible to be perfect on the first try; if we were, then the competition around the Pulitzer would be pretty steep.
- Read a lot. This is pretty standard advice, but it should never be forgotten. The books you read inform your style and inspire you further in your chosen genre. I have personally found that all of my writing and reading slumps coincide; when I am having a hard time hitting a good writing flow, taking a few days to obsessively read dislodges the road blocks. Escaping to another world that someone else created is a form of practice for getting into my own.
Here is an unconventional one I heard a long time ago. I would love to hear what you think about this one!
- Write in your own voice. Instead of inventing one or trying to sound like someone you're not, use the one that comes out of your head naturally. How do you think? When you tell your friends a story, in what manner or tone fo you do it? Stick with what you know instead of forcing something that isn't there. It might impede the adventure that is waiting to be put on the page.
When things get sticky, give one of these a go! I hope they help bring you new direction and perhaps a more comfortable way of writing. Take the time to find what works for you and hold on tight to it. You can do it– so get typing!
