MAKING A WRITER OUT OF YOU by Craig Lock
What do we need to get started in writing?
THE TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Anyone with reasonable literary skills
can write, but not many people can write really well.
Yet we all have the opportunity to use this means of expressing
our creative energy.
You don't need much: no money- only time and IMAGINATION. To
start writing, all you need is a place, a pen, paper and an idea
(which comes through the amazing power of the human mind).
Firstly, work habits: Organise yourself (my big difficulty in
all areas of life!). Decide WHERE you want to write. Which room
will enable you to concentrate and lift your spirits the most? I
find writing outdoors enables me to be most relaxed and therefore
at my most creative?
Then
Allocate a few hours a day when you won't be disturbed.
Then stick to it with total COMMITMENT (remember the qualities of
a writer from lesson one?).
What other tools are there to help you?
The local library, dictionaries, like a Thesaurus. What's that
dad?
And especially, a dictionary of quotations. Can you start a
sentence with an "and"?
All of these resources are extremely helpful to a writer.
I find the local library especially helpful.
Get to know your way around, to find out where things are.
Using this resource saves a great deal of time and
frustration...and most of all money, not having to buy books ("El
cheaposkate", like me). I am constantly using the facilities of
the excellent HB Williams Memorial Library here in Gisborne.
What other resources are easily available?
Dictionaries: Such as the Oxford Dictionaries of Quotations.
They'll always come in handy when you're looking for a good
quote.
Incidentally, good grammar and punctuation, together with
presentation, is very important in getting published. I cover
more on this subject in subsequent lessons. As my English teacher
at school said, READ, READ, READ. It develops vocabulary (another
nice long word).
Typewriter or Wordprocessor? Once you've got this clear in your
mind, ie. place, time, tools (like pen and paper), later comes
the decisions about whether to buy a typewriter, wordprocessor or
computer.
Word-processors and computers make life so much easier for
writers: you can quickly rewrite by moving words around or simply
cutting them out altogether. They even have a spell check for
those not too confident in this area.
All writers continually revise their work many times to make the
words flow better (don't say 'continually' and 'many times' -
they mean the same thing!).
Do you need one?
If you want to be published, no editor will consider handwritten
work... so you will need to make that decision someday. If you
want to write purely for your own pleasure, no "hassle"!
My simple advice is to take your time regarding purchasing
decisions.
Don't rush out and buy now, but wait and see how your writing
develops.
Perhaps you have an old typewriter in the attic to start on, or
you may be able to borrow one from a friend in the meantime
("cheapskate").
This advice is based on what I did...
Start off with a typewriter, because all your work should be
typed - unless you're writing purely for yourself.
Later you can progress to a word processor, if you really get
caught up in the writing 'bug'.
I bought my word processor just before I left work after being
made redundant as a Life Assurance Manager.
It was the best investment I have ever made in my life!
Then I progressed to learning computers. This was no easy task
for me, but now working every day with one, I've got quite good
(even if I say so myself!). However, I still use my wordprocesser
to work in the hot sun outside. Hedonistic sun freak!
What other tips are there?...
Keep a work diary of your projects underway- keeps one on track.
Also keep a record of your writing expenses - for the tax man.
Any expenditure you incur in producing income from your writing
is usually deductible from your taxable income.
I'm sounding like an accountant now - sorry!
More on this subject in a later lesson.
Have a clippings file of things that interest you...because those
are the things you are likely to write about some day in the
future. I keep them on about ten different subjects, from stress
to the South African economy (which leads to more stress!).
Handy!
Keep a note book handy by your bed.
We often get our most creative ideas, whilst sleeping when the
mind is relaxed.
I used to wake up with a great idea in the middle of the night.
EUREKA! ... but by morning it was forgotten.
You can even use a small tape recorder.
I have resorted to taking my dictaphone.
I get lots of funny looks, but at least it stops me having to
turn back before I forget my inspirational thought for the day.
GETTING STARTED Now we have all the tools, time to get started.
I believe the best training for new writers is to write as often
and as much as you can.
So write about ANYTHING that tickles your fancy.
It doesn't matter, as long as you WRITE.
It is practice and experience (and life experiences) that counts.
As the tourist in New York asked : "How do I get to Carnegie
Hall?" and the cabbie replied: "Practice, mate (or the Yankee
equivalent of this New Zealand and Australian expression),
practice, practice"
When I look at my first manuscripts, I can clearly see how much I
think my writing has improved in the last six years.
At least I think so!
What else can you write about?
Write letters.
This is becoming a forgotten art.
You could also keep a daily diary.
Write about your thoughts, your feelings, your daily experiences,
your hopes your fears, your dreams.
Doing this regularly hones your writing skills.
You can take courses at universities, colleges, polytechnics, or
this one.
As well as the course content, I think that writing courses have
a definite social function; because they keep you in touch with
other like-minded people... and always remember writing is such a
solitary occupation.
Happy writing
Craig Lock
http://www.craiglock.com" target="www.craiglock.com">http://www.craiglock.com
As the ancient Chinese proverb said so wisely...
The journey of a thousand miles begins with...a broken fan belt
and a leaky tire.
The "original" Online Creative Writing Course
http://www.craiglock.com/writer/index.html
The various books that Craig "felt inspired to write" are
available at: http://www.craiglock.com and
http://www.bridgeniche.com
More articles on WRITING
Writing for Publicity and Profit on the WWW
Twenty-Five Tips in Writing Articles for the WWW
How to Use and Write Press Releases as an Internet Marketing Strategy
Sharing Some More Thoughts on Writing Styles
How to Become a Better Writer
What is Copyright and How Does One Protect It
Making a Writer Out of You
391
|
|
|
|
