A writer’s desire to put words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs and paragraphs into stories is by no means a mechanical process. It is a force to be reckoned with. You can’t create it, if it isn’t in you and you can’t get rid of it, if you’ve got the bug to write. But turning our vivid thoughts and imagination into solid form can be both challenging and inspiring. The style that you use will depend on whether you have chosen to write a fiction or non-fiction work.

 

Before you even start writing your book, it is wise to do some research. Do you know if the topic you have in mind is hot right now? Are there similar books on the market and are they selling well? A good way to find out is by reading newspapers, magazines, newsletter and ezines that cater to writers. Join writer’s groups and forums, as well talk to other people in the writing and publishing field. It is wise to be sure you have a potential audience for your book ahead of time.

 

FICTION WRITING



Fiction writing is base on imagination and if you have a good one, your story will be good. It can also be plot-driven, or based on an idea or concept. The thing to remember as we go through each aspect of fiction writing is that although your story is fantasy, it must still make sense.

 

The next thing to consider is the physical setting of your story. It must be authentic enough to be believed and include everything from scenery, to atmosphere and perhaps even weather. These elements might have a profound affect on the actions or moods of your characters.

 

For instance, does your story take place in a run down factory, a dance hall or spaceship? All of these evoke extremely different images. Then you need to ask yourself, do I want my setting to be simply a background or something more powerful?

 

Choosing the right ‘point of view’ and ‘narrative voice’ for your story is also very important. Writing in the first person, gives the reader the impression that you are personally invested in your story. A third person ‘point of view’ is more detached.

 

Time is another element that must be established. First of all, what time of day is it? Although you don’t need to specifically state that it’s 2 p.m., your story must indicate through other details that it is mid-afternoon. Different time periods immediately create pictures in the minds of readers. For instance, there is a world of difference between Washington in 2006 and Boston in the 1800s.

 

Next, the characters in your story must be considered. Are they the primary focus, rather than the plot? Who is the main character and how will you write your book to show that this person is the most important? A good way to answer these questions is to write down character outlines. Describe not only how they look, but also their character traits (strengths and weaknesses), personality, views and moods.

 

Your main character will be the one who is most affected in the story and/or plays the biggest role. He or she will be the one with the most force of action, the biggest problem, the most painful hurt or seeking to accomplish the most tantamount goal. This is the character that you want your readers to know best, to perhaps identify with and to care about. Then unless you are placing yourself in the story, decide which character will tell the tale. This is the ‘viewpoint character’ and the reader will experience the story through this character’s eyes. It is also possible to have more than one ‘viewpoint character.’

 

Next, consider the plot or story line. How will you let the plot unfold in a natural way and follow it through to the end? Where and at what point will the climax occur? Will there by semi-climaxes as the story moves along and at what points? If you are writing a plot-based story, the intricacies of the plot will be what create the most interesting tale. This, of course, will take some planning. In this case, it helps to write out your game plan ahead of time.

 

Dialogue is a vital aspect of any written work, as it can really bring out the personalities of your characters. It can also serve to fill in necessary information, without just stating it, it can be used to establish the time and place, and also to develop conflicts between characters. Whatever its purpose, writing dialogue is something that can be difficult to create, if you haven’t done it before. Don’t try to recreate actual conversations, as they’ll likely be very boring and annoying. For instance, most people repeat certain phrases and non-words like ‘um,’ ‘aha’ or ‘you see.’

 

I’m sure you’ve heard the term “double speak” at some point. In dialogue, it means that what your characters say and what they really mean are two different things. What are your characters saying “between the lines” or “subtext?” This can happen when one or more of your characters don’t really understand themselves or their own motivation. Showing a different side to a character through dialogue will tell the reader more about him or her than if you just outright said it. Knowing how to write this kind of dialogue can set you apart from other writers.

 

Also if your character has a slang or accent, don’t overdo it. Dialogue should also flow, without a lot of ‘he said,’ ‘she said.’ Also try to intersperse your conversations with associated actions. Finally, always remember to begin a new sentence each time another person speaks and put their words in quotations.

 

NON-FICTION WRITING

 

Non-fiction writing is based on reality, but is not necessarily factual. This genre includes recreations of true stories, biographies and autobiographies found in such things as books, magazines, newspapers, advertisements and reference books. You might also want to write a how-to book. There are many of them out there on everything from how to loose weight, dance, find the right mate and build a birdhouse, how to improve your golf game, learn to dance, read sheet music or improve your Internet marketing skills, start a business and even how to write.

 

Non-fiction also includes medical, travel, space books and whole host of other texts. Obviously, the most important aspect of non-fiction writing is to write about what you know best. You must do your homework and become an authority on your subject matter.

 

You must also have an angle or purpose. Why are you writing it? In answering that question, you must answer the questions: who, what, why, when and how. For instance, if you are writing on how to balance your budget, your purpose is to help people gain control over their finances. You must decide whether you are aiming at the poor, middle class or wealthy. What do they need to know and why? When should they begin their financial planning and how?

 

For general non-fiction writing, you must decide on the right ‘point of view’ and ‘narrative voice.’ For instance, if you are writing about a personal and painful experience of your own, you might want to present it in the first person. However, if you are not ready to tell the world it was ‘your’ experience, you will need to write it in the third person. If you’re writing an academic book, you might want to write in the third person in a ‘professor’s’ voice. If it is a book about a conspiracy, you might want to adopt a ‘suspicious’ tone.

 

Next, choose your setting, which for non-fiction writing should be an actual place. If this is not possible, you will need to recreate the setting as closely as possible. Then establish the time element and your character outlines. Again, these must be factual or as close to it as possible. You must then decide on your characters and who is the primary character. What is the plot and how important is it? Will there be actual dialogue in your non-fiction book? If so, make sure that all words, expressions and accents are authentic in relation to the time element. What genre does your book fall into and are you being true to form for that genre?

 

Finally, although your non-fiction book should be based on facts, you can be just as creative as a fiction writer to keep your writing from being too dry and boring. Don’t be afraid to spice it up a bit, but at the same time stick to the facts.

 

**************************

Assuming that you know what genre or category your writing falls into, there are a few things to consider. You must be aware that there are certain conventions of structure, character and conversation that automatically come with specific genres. For instance, writers of science fiction often use the term “faster-than-light travel” or “warp speed.” The sci-fi writer needs to know how and where such terms are used, if he or she intends to use them. In mystery writing, the plot generally begins with a discovery, such as a dead body and ends when the mystery is solved. A great way to become familiar with the conventions of your particular genre is to read similar books by other writers.

 

There is much a beginning author needs to know about manuscript style, dealing with writer’s block, tricks to unleash the imagination, writing query letters and book proposals, using photos, the importance of editing and book covers, how to find a publisher and/or book agent, copyright, why you should get a literary critique, book contracts, marketing, advertising and so much more.


- Martha Jette

s never easy, especially when you encounter the so-called “writer\’s block”. Add to that process, the idea of synchronizing melody to the words you write – now that is even more difficult. With the many hit songs in mass media today, it\’s hard to find your own voice as a songwriter. If you\’re thinking on how to write a song, we have come up with seven easy steps to get you started:

1. Be Inspired. Oftentimes, a songwriter can come up with a hundred hindrances for writing. Yet one of the biggest challenges of being a songwriter is motivating oneself. The first step on learning how to write a song is to get that mental and emotional stimulation. You have to set your mind on a goal, and that is to come up with a great song at the end of the day.

2. Stay With It. Once you have captured that subject of inspiration, stay with it. You have to set your frame of mind to work on that idea. Make sure you are in a place where you\’re comfortable to write and express your ideas. Most songwriters prefer to sit in a quiet place with good scenery. Others favor an ambiance with relaxing music to soothe their thought flow.

3. Have Fun. You might be thinking, “How will this help me concentrate on my subject?” Having fun is an essential part in learning how to write a song. You have to find joy and fulfillment in what you are doing. Once you start writing, you can now play with words and work on your lyrics. Explore the possibilities of working with an instrument on hand. At the moment you get part of your desired melody, continually play it to stir up more tunes to add to your music.

4. Expand Your Horizons. Keep your ideas flowing. In this way, you can begin to develop your initial material. Reread the lyrics you\’ve written and expound on them. Construct a story about your subject or create another voice in your melody. Try to form progression in the chords of the song\’s tune.

5. Make Music Out of Lyrics. Use metaphorical descriptions and rhythmic patterns to titivate your song. It helps to know a little of poetry and literature to help influence your work. Bear in mind that in knowing how to write a song, it also helps to have knowledge on your genre of music.

6. Listen to Your Song. Once you\’ve come up with the lyrics and the melody to beat, make sure you listen to the entire song. While doing so, ask yourself if you are satisfied with your work and what you can do to make it better. The process of self-critique helps polish your song. Make sure you edit the necessary words that don\’t have nuance to the theme of your music. At the same time, make sure that the melody is plausible to your chosen subject.

7. Let Someone Listen. Your song is finished. The best way to know if you\’ve done well is to have someone listen to the product of your hard work. Feedback is vital in improving your next creation. Learning how to write a song from another person\’s point of view will make you grow as a songwriter.
- Alex Rocklane

At some point or another every writer experiences writers block. It could be because of tiredness, life’s stresses and strains, or it could be for absolutely no reason at all. There is no one type or reason, but there are many ways in beating writer’s block that you can incorporate into your daily routine.

Write all the time

Writing every day in little bursts will help combat the serious bout of writers block. Where ever you go keep a notebook handy so if a great idea comes to mind you can write it down there and then. If you can’t get past it, the best way I find to help unlock your thoughts on to paper is to go for a short walk, to clear your head before returning to the computer screen.

Meditation

I find that meditation helps quite considerably. It helps you to relax and allows you to find a peaceful place in order to gather your thought. After meditating I find I am at my most creative and relaxed. Most meditation courses can be found by private teachers, but if you are lucky to have a Buddhist center near by, they offer regular classes which run at different times during the day to suit you.

Don’t try too hard- take a break

Sometimes it can feel like you have to squeeze the words out, and in the end you are just not happy with what you have created. Don’t push yourself, even if you have a deadline as this will only stress you out further. Give yourself a break even if it’s to recharge to return to it an hour later or the next day. The best way to beat writers block is to come back to your writing when you are refreshed and relaxed. I find first thing in the morning is when I am at my most creative and fluid.

Change your scenery

Changing your surroundings can be a great way to alleviate writers block. Take yourself to a quiet café, or if it’s a nice day go outside. New things could give you inspiration and I find this helps when I get the worst of writers block.

Refresh your skills

It is always a good to refresh your skills once and a while to beat writers block. There are many inexpensive short day workshops for creative writers of all levels that you can use to your advantage.

A few years ago I went on a creative writing holiday in Scotland. The scenery among other factors was a great inspiration and being able to write with others meant I could learn new skills and techniques. These courses don’t happen all the time so snap it up when you get the chance.

Listen to how you write

One of the best bits of advice when beating writers block is to write with your talking voice. It is always obvious when a writer is not expressing themselves naturally and in the end, is more frustrating to write and uncomfortable to read.

I find the best way to combat this is to read what you have written or your problem passage and record yourself. Play back the tape and what you have written will sound completely different. This will help you to find the right words and will help get rid of writers block.

No matter what method you use to rid yourself of the dreaded writers block, it is always important to remember that really, writers block does not exist. It is a name we have given to the inability to make decisions when writing. Look at where you are having problems in coming to making your choice, whether its wording that paragraph or chapter. Sit and then figure out what decision you are not making and make it.


- Patricia A. Jones

Every writer experiences the pain of writers block sometime in their life. There is tons of reasons this could happen, from lack of sleep, stress, or for any other in a list of hundreds of reasons. It is practically impossible to track it down to one reason, so beating writers block can be quite the challenge. Here are some ways you can put into your daily routine, that helps block out writers block.

1. Write every day, as much as possible. This can cure even the most challenging time of writers block. Always have a notebook at your side, and write about what you do, as you do it. Write down the little details. Also be sure to write down ideas for writing whenever you get them, so you don’t forget on your way home.

2. Kill stress. If you are having a hard time at work, find some way to make it easier. Bouts of stress are one of the biggest causes of writers block, and can be really hard to fix. Meditate if you need to. Clear your head. Take a nap. Heck, even take a day off if you need to.

3. Don’t force yourself to write. You don’t have to write the next 2 chapters right now. Take a break from writing. Go on a walk. Leave it until the next day. If you have a deadline, extend it a day or two. Even something as simple as a coffee break can recharge your energy and relax you, so you can finish up that paper you have to write.

4. Read, read, read. Picking up a book and sitting down to read for a good hour can really give you a lot of good ideas on how to finish up your book. Even if you do something as simple as reading one of your old writings, or reading the last chapter you wrote, you can definitely get out of writers block.

5. Change location. Changing your scenery can change the way you are thinking, and easily knock you out of writers block. Go to a cafe. Watch animals at the zoo. Even just sitting on a bench in a park can have an amazing effect on your writing.

6. Shut the world up. Any sound can make it really hard to think, and keeps the ideas from churning up. If it’s your family making a racket, invest $2 into ear plugs. If it’s traffic outside, change your location. Nice quiet cafes work wonders.

7. Go to a writers workshop. Refreshing your writing skills is an amazing cure for the worst blocks. There is many one day workshops that only cost $20 to enter, for all levels of writing skill. I remember that once I was writing a short 30-page story, and on page 15 I ran out of ideas. I went to a workshop, and that day I finished up my rough copy.

No matter what trick you use, writers block is still dreadfully difficult to cure. Some writers go months at a time without a single idea. Sometimes we mistake writers block for an inability to make decisions while writing, and rely on others to tell us what to do. That is never a good idea, as it mixes up different story’s into one blob of a bad book. Just sit down, and think through what you have written. If it is an information article, go and research some more. If it’s a story, think: ‘What would the character do?’ If you just plain can’t come up with an idea, write about what you did that day.


- Justin

Normal 0

When I started creative writing, I felt like the Lone Ranger. I didn’t know a single writer, or a single writing rule, for that matter. Further, I had no idea where to go to get the knowledge. Creative writing classes were too expensive, and it never occurred to me that the library had a wealth of information at my disposal; thus, I was totally on my own. There is no worse way to learn writing than that.

After writing for two decades, I accidentally stumbled into a creative writing group. It made a huge difference in my life. It was there that I found leadership capabilities; it was there that I ventured into the vast, empty space beyond anything I had ever dreamed. As a direct result, I have founded two writing schools.

Here are four good reasons to join a creative writer’s group:



Find other writers who think and act as you do. You can talk in forums, by email, or chat privately.

Other writers can critique your work, and you will critique theirs. By this simple but effective method, you can improve your writing by leaps and bounds. (Don’t get your feelings hurt by someone criticizing your favorite story. On the contrary – use 95% of their suggestions to edit it, and then put it out again for more reviews.)

Being part of a writing community gives you awesome opportunities to search out latent talents and bring them to life. You can create contests (or help others who create them). If you like graphics, you will have a wonderful opportunity to sell them and gain exposure.

You can browse various ports and read material by other authors. Then it will be your duty to give a review on their work. The more detailed your critique, the more they will appreciate it. Tell them if they miss a comma, or should have used a semi-colon; tell them if their plot was thin or the scenery didn’t convey to an image in your mind. This is what they need to know to improve their performance. By interacting in this way, you will soon learn what is good and bad writing, and what you want to emulate, and what you should avoid.



I have visited many writing sites. The one I endorse is Writing.com, as I believe it to be among the best writing groups on the net. It has a lot to offer. Membership is free, and you will receive lots of instructions to help you get started.


- Deborah Owen