If you are just starting out as a writer chances are you are taking classes or at the very least reading up on any instruction material you can find. It is very common to find “advice” that is very rigid instructing you of various steps you absolutely MUST take before even beginning to write. Take classes. Learn how to outline. Start out with short stories only. Fight the urge to write a full length novel. Get into a critique group and review every page you write. Study all the masters…
For some people this advice may be very solid and I would never snub my nose at someone who believes this is what he needs to be a writer. However, this does not work for everyone. I’m here to tell you to break all the rules if you have to. As the creative mind behind your desire and need to write you can decide for yourself what path you take towards writing and seeking publication. I think the advice above, while designed to teach you the craft and discipline, it is also meant to discourage you and make you understand that few, very few, new writers get into publication immediately.
A heavy dose of reality is healthy, giving up because you are discouraged is not. Too many new writers never become writers because they are intimidated by everything they are told they should be doing. My personal style of writing and teaching creative writing is more grass-roots and seat-of-my-pants. If you have a story inside you by all means get it written down, let those ideas and words flow onto the paper — don’t hesitate because someone says you aren’t ready. Write and keep writing as long as you can.
Reality check, you will revise that manuscript many times before you even think of approaching a publisher. There ARE things you should be doing anytime you plan to write a story and this goes for seasoned authors as well. Read. Read everything and be especially familiar with the type of story you want to tell. Find a way to separate yourself from the writer in you and note the way already published stories move along and keep you interested as a reader. Look at the length of your type of story and notice any formulas. Most importantly make a decision to write.
Now writing a detailed outline MAY be what you need to keep yourself on track, but if forcing a detailed outline out of you stymies the creative time you could have been building your story on paper (or the computer screen if that is your comfort spot), then ignore that; there will be plenty of time to scratch a brief timeline of events down as you begin edits on your book. Joining online writer forums will help to surround you with other writers who can offer encouragement and well-meant advice, but don’t let your online chats keep you from WRITING. Having a trusted critique partner or group help you evaluate each scene is handy, but write the basic story first and start working with the critiques as you are doing your editing. Someone else’s vision of what SHOULD be written may sway you and cause you to lose the storyline you intended.
After you’ve written your story the first time, review and edit it to flow smoothly with few, if any, typos, grammatical errors and misspells. Having a second, or third, set of eyes as you edit is extremely helpful and advised. While you are editing try to focus your writing towards a target audience that frequently reads that type of story. And while I will remind you that very few first books ever get published and very few ever have great sales and fame, don’t let that stop you from trying. Don’t let anything get in the way of your writing and finishing that book.
Writing Exercise: Whether you use an outline (before you write your book) or not, you should know how to map out a story. 1) What is your basic premise? Situation and goal? 2) What will/can happen if that goal is not reached? Think of this from your main character(s) worries. 3) What are the necessary steps to reach the goal? 4) What are obstacles the character(s) encounter as they work towards the goal? 5) What is given up along the way? What aha moments happen? What are unexpected results to the journey? 6) What is the final outcome to the story? — Okay, list the answers to these questions in a fairly chronological order (outline form).
Writing Prompt: Think of 3 to 5 stories you’ve read. How would you change the endings? What consequences would there have been with your changed endings?
Writing Challenge: Write a short story based entirely on the outline you made, make sure you take it through to the end. How did you feel using the map to write your story? Did you stick to it strictly? Why or why not?
