Q/A - Writing!

[warraven]

I was going to write a tutorial on some basic writing tips but I realized that I didn't know where to start. How do you start learning to write? By doing it. By practice. So I thought instead I'd open a forum for people to get advice and ask specific questions so instead of having a "here's how I do it" explanation, they could get tailored advice to where they're at in writing.

But above all, remember: practice.

So ask away.

[Raineigh Dravenholdt]

Do you have a prewrite process or it entirely a freewrite?

Also! Your stories tend to actually flow just straight along like a river, where I get the feeling like mine do no move anywhere. Or... if they move, they move just a smidgen. Do you have anything that could help that too?

[warraven]

admin said:

Do you have a prewrite process or it entirely a freewrite?

Entirely freewrite. I never draft anything out, I just get an idea and sit down and write. I do have some 'triggers' to get me started though. Sometimes it'll be a dream and I'll build a story off that, or a song that gives me an idea for something, or sometimes just a good first line. For instance, the latest story I wrote was inspired by a dream and what got me started was a good first line.

"I realized it was time for more than breaking up with my boyfriend when he threw me through the window."

I don't really see writing as something that is planned but something that should rise naturally from your mind. If it feels forced or planned, stop writing. Some thought is required to get a direction to the story but again, if you find yourself having to force the ideas to come together, get up, go for a walk, listen to some music, anything, and come back when it clicks.

Don't force yourself to write.

Also! Your stories tend to actually flow just straight along like a river, where I get the feeling like mine do no move anywhere. Or... if they move, they move just a smidgen. Do you have anything that could help that too?

I found that flow comes from practice. When I was first starting college I did a lot of almost 'stream of conscious' writing tied to a single theme. And I did tons of these, just little short two or three paragraph stories carrying on a theme. They were not meant to have a story, but to convey a meaning or feeling. Another exercise I did was to find some artwork and then write something surrounding the image. I would suggest trying that. Don't think about a plot... just look at the image or theme and write. A plot may rise from it, but don't actively plan one.

Let me give you some images I used when I first started doing this:

bongoshock.deviantart.com/art/waterstone-4401979
bongoshock.deviantart.com/art/the-monster-by-the-church-13611737

See what stories you form from those.