When writing it is always good to get in the right mood. Writing requires a disconnection from your world, and escape to the set mood it takes to erect masterpieces, your work's "scaffolding." so-to-say. The way I do this is by attempting to escape by blasting music to a reasonable roar and trembling of speakers, then I turn off all the lights, and sink into something quite surreal that I lose all thought, and next thing you know, I am over forty thousand words in it several hours later. Sometimes I get the dreaded writer's block that everyone complains/warns about, and each person has their different way of getting out of the rut. Some work, some do not, but my ability to come out of that trance usually works more times than it does not work.
The most common form of of writer's block is right after one great scene, then you are left with this great emptiness that leaves you more drained than fulfilled. Another time writer's block strikes in in the middle of a sentence, or worst, before you even start writing. The best way break writer's block, for me anyway, is to just "force it" out. now, this may seem like a strange way to break such a problem, and others have written many words on not to force it out, and just let it come to you, that is a load of jargon my friends. If you force it out, you will get more written than just "sitting around" waiting for inspiration to strike like a liteary lighting bolt brought forth by the Gods of Aliteration and Symbolism. Face it, you can always edit, which is what should be taking up the majority of your time with your piece, and if you cannot touch your precious "masterpiece" by "forcing it" another suggestion is to continue writing the story in a seperate text box, or do a "brain storm" just like they taught in high school. Truth is, if you sit there, and wait for inspiration, chances are you will be waiting for a while.
Another important thing to remember when if comes to writing is take it easy, and do not rush, unless it is due the following business day, then you can rush all you want, does not mean you will get paid, or a good grade, or put food on the table. I learn to balance rushing and realaxing in writing, and that is how I can type hundreds of pages in less than a few hours, and a few thousand pages handwritten in script in less than a week.
On average I type and write only twenty minutes a day when I am busy, and on days off, or I am just bored, I can write for several hours, and accomplish nothing. The truth with me is, I cook under pressure, and I know when it is a dead line due for a newspaper article, or that a post from several places online is due, I can cram it out, edit it, and stuff it in the e-mail in less than the required time. At only 19 years of age, I have written and been published for a local newspaper on a regularly basis, written over a hundred short stories for both public and private reasons, and I have written three full-length novels, but only admit to one, because the others were no where near as long. I am not trying to boast my qualifications to you on why I should be writing a blog on the craft, I am just saying is that I know there are people out in the world just like me, better than me, and people better than those better than myself. I know that I am not too above normal in the sense of intelligence, and knowing that college-bound students both younger and a few years older than I have done much more than I have. I only tell you these things to show you that I am flexible in the writing world. I have also published an essay, written so much poetry that I feel poetry in our day and age is as useless as an appendix with appendicitis, and this is coming from someone who owns all the works of Robert Frost, Edgar Allan Poe, and enjoys other great poets that have both lived, died, and are still surrounded by controversy. (Dante Aligerhi).
Back to writing, I do suggest that you work close to things you are unfamilar with, so it forces you to research your subject, and you can make a more realistic story. Again, writer's tell you to write from what you know, again, not the greatest idea because if you know so much about the subject, it may be too hard to put into words because it is too mundane to you. If you want to briefly explain something to someone, I would suggest use a reference that you are not famillar with. Besides, if you have it sound too much like your life, you are not developing an individual character, unless, of course, that was your intention. If so, ignore the above sentences, and focus on the upcoming ones. If you decide to write this "masterpiece" of yours, and you want the main character to have similarities to you, the author, than do it in a seldom manner that does not make it sound like it is your autobiography, Let's face it, if you cannot make your life sound interesting (Which I doubt anyone could not do) than I would suggest twisting your character a little bit. No one wants to hear about a five to six line description of a character that looks, acts, feels, and reacts like you, then they will see this character as the average, the ordinary, and your descriptions will probably be just as drawn out as your character.
Character development is the most important aspect of the character's design. Remember, you are creating a chracter from scratch off some notes full of coffee stains, and the grey matter sliding around in that cranium. Also take note that chracter development is possibly the hardest part of the character development, and can pretty much open lights up to the character's actions, dialouge, and place in the story. The best way to see your chracter, is to become your character in the physical sense. Once you get a feel to your character, just go with him/her/it/ N/A. No matter what you do decide to write about, please take note that character development should take some time, unless you are going to base the characters after somone you know, or yourself. Sometimes though, this could be an even harder process. Then again, experimenting with writing is something I would suggest doing.
In the last real post, I gave you an idea of good books to help you develop your style. I would also like to suggest that looking at amateur writing is just as valuable than looking at the big shots in the wiriting industry. See, besides knowing how to write, you need to know the business of the writing world, and that is also another reason why I suggested the Writer's Market 2005, because it will give you an idea of what it takes to get published. Anything else you need to develop styles should come from the studying of past, present, and future authors. (Future being amateur writers who have the free press of writing online and in other various mediums.) Good places for amatuer writings is at certain poetry sites, including contests places that post winners. As a person who is an amateur writer, it is always good to see the styles of other writers so I can develop my style evern further than what it is as the present time. Now, I do not mean you should go and steal amateur writings, but rather try to differntiate yourself from them in every way you can. If you can do this, than I would suggest also to take note of the people that are reading the sort of writings amateur bloggers are putting up to read, and see what would spark their intrests. Now, this may seem wrong to do, read what people want, then write to just appeal to the vast majority, but sometimes it is not like that, You can learn from the pop-culture, and have more knowledge on a certain subject. I would also like to suggest writing in a style that most people can realate to, but a lot of what I posted is common sense, or just overlooked by certain people.
In the retrospect of things, I would like to say is that writing in the sense of the word is an ugly word, and a complex communication tool that spreads out with different slang, jargon, and is ruined by having to learn the vernacular of the land. Any question? Comments, or anything else just contact me any way possible. You have a question on writing, reading, my own personal experiences, my writings, etc. just ask. I am usually online, and if not, just check back to see if your answer has been questioned. (Just messing around.) Thanks
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