How a Story is Born
Once, a very long time ago, I heard a writer say that if their stories were children, they would have all been born breach. I wasn’t writing much at the time and laughed out loud at that comment.
Now I have to agree whole-heartedly because most of my stories seem to be born breach, too.
As already discussed, ideas come from all directions. I have been standing on a street corner waiting for the light to change and wondered “What would happen if…?”
I’ve awakened in the middle of the night with an idea that just had to be written down.
Personal experiences can also be the match that lights a spark.
With the diversity of journals I keep, it’s very easy to jot down quick notes or detailed ideas. The more I write down, the more there is to write down.
Sometimes, it doesn’t take much to get a story idea started. I recently heard some news from a friend that ignited a sequence of scenes that led to nearly 4,000 words.
For the last few weeks, I have been writing less and recording ideas more. Some of them come with scene ideas, which are also written down. When I can’t write because we’re traveling, I jot some notes on new ideas, new characters, and sometimes settings.
Some of those ideas will stew and percolate for years or decades before anything happens with them. Some of them will never develop past note taking.
But, like my paintings, every now and again, one comes along that seems almost too good to be true and it takes off. That’s when the note taking is fun!
Get into the habit of keeping and organizing your notes. I whole-heartedly recommend the practice of journal keeping (more on this in a later article). I’ve been keeping a personal journal since December 1989 and don’t regret a moment of the time put into those daily writings.
Keep a writing journal specifically. If you don’t have a lot of time to write, try just a paragraph or two at the beginning or end of each day or at a time that best suits you. Write every day at that time and it won’t be long before you begin feeling like something’s missing if you get through the day without writing something.
Don’t know what to write? Try this. If you write in the same place every day, describe that place. What’s it like? Who else is around? What are they doing? Look, observe, then write. Do the same thing every day. If you are faithful in the habit and honest in your observations, it won’t take many days before you notice your writing changing. You will not only be teaching yourself to observe; you’ll be teaching yourself to record your observations. Don’t worry about anything but putting words on paper. If your natural voice is purple prose, go for it! If you’re more of a techie, go for it!
Do you think every sketch an artist does is a masterpiece? I’m here to say it’s not! Most of them are little more than a gesture or a few lines. But every gesture and line contributes to the next painting.
These writing studies are the same way. Every observation you make and every word you write will make you a better writer and will exercise the muscles you need to write your novel when the time comes.
To make the most of these writing studies, find a way to have paper and pen with you all the time. I like a steno pad and pen, which I carry in my handbag and which is easily accessible. A day planner with blank pages, a laptop or index cards all word just as well. The writing is more important than the tools. Find the method that works best for you.
At times, you will feel as though your writing time has been taken over by these studies and journal entries, but never fear. It is all important and it will benefit you greatly as you pursue your craft and hone your skills. Now go write something and have fun!
