Writing: A Grand Adventure - Step Two

Second Step: Writing

The second step in the writing process is the actual writing, where words become sentences and sentences become paragraphs which lead to chapters and eventually a story.

The following are some things to think about when you are writing:

1) When you are writing remember that we do not speak the way we ought to write and we should not write the way we speak.

English is a very messy, inconsistent language. We have exceptions to the rule in punctuation, grammar, spelling, and even movement of a story.

If you were to actually listen to a conversation and then type it in, the story would probably look like the person who had told it was incoherent, even if the story made sense when you were listening to it. We speak in incomplete sentences, we gesture to replace spoken words - in short, we do all kinds of things in spoken language that makes no sense in a written language. When you are writing the story you have to fill in the gaps that would exist if you were just telling the story verbally.

And the opposite is true for our written language. It tends to be formal and sounds strange when read aloud, if it were not written to be read aloud. I think the point that I am blathering on about is that you actually need to know two versions of the English language and you will use both of them when you are writing but you need to know when to use them.

Which leads to the next point to consider...

2) You can break almost any writing rule - if you can make it work. In creative writing two plus two does not always equal four.

One of the ways you can use the spoken version of the English language in a written story is in the dialogue. Formal writing does not fit well when the average character is speaking.

There are lots of ways to break the writing rules and in creative writing it is acceptable - but only if you, as the writer, can make it work.

3) Almost all writing is subjective because we have a vast array of word choices.
a) He robbed her. She hit him.
b) He took his stuff. She attacked him.

Pick your words carefully because the slightest variation can hint at a different outcome or understanding.

4) Writing from different perspectives requires different skills. Stretch your writing skills and try a variety.

Tools for Writing:

1) Set up a writing schedule. Try it out.

2) Setting and Scenery Books

These are especially good for the writer who struggles with visual details. I fall into this category. I frequently look at pictures of forests, houses, rooms, flowers, or animals in order to get a physical visual of something before I write it.

3) Thesaurus

If you keep using the word bold to describe a character you might lose your readers.

4) Spell Check and Grammar Check

Use these tools - but use them with caution. Dialogue is especially tricky because a writer breaks a lot of writing rules in character dialogue.

5) Music

Never underestimate the power of music to influence your writing. You may need to write a very happy scene when you are feeling normal or you may need to write a real tearjerker when you are outrageously happy. You can utilize music to dial into other emotions during the writing stage.

Next Step: Letting it Sit