On Writing

Writer’s Wisdom 13

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“Research the subject.”

Research is a necessary evil when you are writing your piece.  The amount and intensity of the research will depend on the kind of writing you are about to do.  A historical novel will take a decent amount of research as opposed to an article on the ozone layer.  The depth of the research is different in these cases.  Most best selling authors do research before writing.  I say most, because some, like Kate DiCamillo has said that she does not (as told in a Border’s interview).  For her, the writing process happens different.  Her book “just shows up”– to quote her.  When she knows she has to write the story, she writes it.  Jody Picoult researches the subject sometimes even months before she starts writing.  Other authors travel to places or other countries to do their research before starting a book.  Others, like Janet Evanovich, interviews people in ocuppations that relate to her book.  Every research style is different, they do what better works for them and the story.

If you don’t like to do research, I have bad news for you, it is a necessary tool. If you are creating a fantasy piece – here you are creating all your worlds and characters from your mind, and inspiration –  maybe you will get away with it and disregard research.  But for most other genres, research in one degree or another is necessary.  If you are completely allergic to it, then hire someone to do the research for you.  That’s one way to go around it.

For many, the passion for writing is enough to enjoy the research aspect of it, for others, a research assistant is as good as a Muse.

Writer’s Wisdom 12

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“There is only one way to tell a story and that is to tell it.”  Elizabeth Gilbert for Borders

Many of us have  ideas for future books, floating around in our head; lack of inspiration is not the problem here.  It is the fear to commit to put our words, our story, on paper (or pc screen).  We keep playing with the ideas and procrastinate, saying to ourselves, “It is not good enough, when it becomes clearer in my mind, i’ll start writing it.”  The problem is that unless you start writing, it won’t become clear; you’ll have tons of ideas bouncing around, begging to be written, so a story can be born.  If you have trouble committing to an idea for a book, then I suggest that you create short outlines of each, and leave them aside.  Then, pick one and work on that one alone.  Pretty soon your story will start taking shape, and you will become committed to the story.  It is important that the word gets written so it can start taking form.

It all starts with putting the first word down; forget about being perfect for now. Just write the story, you can worry about editing once the story is completed.  If you get stuck in the middle, take a break, give your characters room to breathe, pondering time.  Most likely, they will emerge with new force, and your plot will become stronger, energized.  Just make sure not to fall again into the trap of procrastination .  During this short break, mind your story, don’t disconnect from it.  Be aware of new sources of inspiration around you.  When your short break is over, plug back in, and start writing.

There is only one way to tell the story, write it down.

Writer’s Wisdom 11

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“The book inside your head”

“You have to live with the book in your head all the time, even when living your normal daily routine.”– Michael Chabon (on an interview with Borders)

When you are writing a book, besides living with your family, you are living with your characters – in another dimension.  “Your characters will pop up like mushrooms” (to quote Jody Picoult), and you better listen to what they have to say.  Daily living circumstances can give you ideas for your plot.  An interesting woman/man at the supermarket can become part of your book, a conversation, an incident …

Some writers go away for a week or two to write; Michael Chabon is an example.  If you have an extremely busy or complicated life, and going away is not an alternative, then be mindful of your book.  Be on the look, aware of what surrounds you, who and what you see, and the sounds you hear – engage your senses.  Live with your book, with your characters.  Talk to them, you’ll be surprised at how many times, they will come up with an answer – just the right one, when you were struggling with it.  Feel the magic all around you.  Be mindful of your writing!

Writer’s Wisdom 10

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“Have fun in the process.”

Best selling authors seem to agree on this one; you should enjoy the process of writing and have fun with it.  Some of them seem easy going, or go with the flow, others more uptight, with a more serious or solemn personality; but whatever their personal style might be, they all seem to have fun in the process.  They love writing and they have fun doing it.

Best selling authors are under the pressure of many deadlines, and deadlines can take the fun out of anything.  That is why having fun in the process is so important – it will lighten and refresh you, resulting in better writing and better use of time (since you don’t want to waste time stressing over the inevitable deadline).  It will contribute, in the end, to the flow of your pen (or your keyboard).

So, if writing is your passion, your dream, or your bread and butter, remember to have fun in the process.  No one wants a “crabby muse.”

Writer’s Wisdom 9

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“Inspiration is all around you.”

 When your ink well is running dry, look around you; you will find inspiration in the oddest of places.  Best selling authors are aware of this and practice it all the time.  Some observe and listen for ideas, others have dreams, others write about what they know; some use ideas that are already out, but modify them into a different story.  Caution should be exercised with this last one, as you have to be careful with copyrights – a lawyer should be handling these details – this applies in the case of modifying a story that has already been written, for example “A Lion Among Men” by Gregory Maguire, which is a different view of The Wizard of Oz. 

Sara Grwen saw a picture of a vintage circus, and that instance, she knew she would write a story about that (Water for Elephants), even when she had started a complete different story.  Christopher Paolini wrote about what he always wanted to read about, but there was just not enough of it around (Besinger).  Jody Picoult says that ideas come from all over the place.  For her, usually about an issue that she doesn’t have the answer to.

So, however you want to connect with your muse, inspiration is all around you, just be aware, or alert to your muse’s call.

Writer’s Wisdom 8

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Perseverance

This is one important characteristic that best selling authors have in common.  Their backgrounds are very diverse, but there is a constant – they persevere once they fall into writing, and they just keep at it for as long as it takes.  Some of them had hardship in their lives, or events that lead them into writing.  But once they wrote, they persevered.  Many aspiring authors love writing, but they are not willing to hang in there for the love of it.  Rejections are hard, but each one comes with a wealth of information attached to it.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines perseverance as:  “to persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea or task in spite of obstacles.” 

According to this definition, not only do we have to be persistent, but also constant, in spite of obstacles.  Many writers stop, take a break, become paralyzed or frozen at the arrival of a rejection letter. They stop writing, they suffer, mourn, and disconnect themselves from their main purpose – writing.  But this is not what perseverance is.  While dealing with the feelings of rejection (the obstacle), a writer must continue to write, write, write.

Writer’s Wisdom 7

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Love of the craft – write, write, write.

Some best selling authors seemed to have writing in the back-burner, and somehow, fell into it as if by chance or destiny; others, did not even know if they were any good.  But one thing they have in common is that they write, write, write.  They have a discipline about writing, and they love writing.  It is their passion, as if a birthright.  However you feel about writing, if you want to become good at it, then you have to be disciplined about your writing and give it a serious place in your life.  There are many inspiring bios of best selling authors.  You may want to check out Stephenie Meyer, Janet Evanovich, Lalita Tademy, and Sara Grwen.  They had their very unique start in writing, and they will inspire you.

So, pick up your pen, wake up your PC, and write, write, write.

Writer’s Wisdom 6

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“Pick a genre and stick with it, at least at the beginning.”

For those who are planning on making a career out of writing, this is sound advice.  At the beginning, the excitement and inspiration is high, the ideas are floating everywhere, and you feel that you can write hundreds of books in different genres.  You may be able to, but you have to focus your writing.  Read best selling authors in different genres and have a feel for the genre that you identify with the most.  Stick with that genre and start writing.  Write everyday.  Once your first manuscript is finished, send your queries and keep writing.  If you get published, you will start establishing yourself in that genre, and then, later in your career, you may decide if you want to try other genres.  At the beginning of your writer’s career your efforts and focus should not be spread around.  You have a story to tell, and in the future, many readers that will want some more.  So, pick a genre and write, write, write.

Writer’s Wisdom 5

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“It is a huge honor to have your book made into a movie; but, it is a totally different animal.”

I heard a best-selling author say this in an interview; I wish I remember who. Many best selling authors have had this honor.  This is one of the best things that can happen to you as a writer (besides being published for the first time).  Some writers are actively involved in the process, while others are completely disconnected, by choice.  Most of them agree that making a movie out of a book is a totally different animal, and that you should let the “movie makers” work their magic.  Others agree that the integrity of the story should be kept, they welcome instances where the magic of the movies has made the story dynamic, or a particular part, better.

For us fans of best selling authors, we can’t wait for the movie to be made.  We got a good taste of a good book and now, we wait for the dessert.

Writer’s Wisdom 4

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“The characters will take a life of their own; they will lead you, but you are in control.”

As you get deep into the story, each character will start interacting with you in its own way.  Sometimes, a character will refuse to do what you want them to do, and will suggest other ways.  It is up to you to listen to that character, feel what he/she is feeling, get a better understanding of where he/she is coming from.  Sometimes, characters will surprise you, they will step forward in the story, or they will stay back.  Sometimes, characters will help you in a story dilemma; you might be stuck with an issue, and suddenly, a character jumps out with the appropriate answer.  So, listen to your characters, talk to them.  However, you are still in control of the story.  You choose to accept or refuse their input, and you certainly have the last written word.