Are Your Characters Reacting To Each Other, and Plot Events, For Maximum Impact In Your Stories?

There are many times when we are writing our stories that we have a big scene where a major event takes place between the characters. Does the scene shine in its execution, or fall flat? I myself find when I am rewriting a draft this can occur, and that a scene which should be prominent, adding to the action, and opening up other story possibilities, does not deliver this, but, this can be remedied very easily. The reactions of characters to an event in the story, or to each other, can add depth, and reveal more about the characters than we originally envisioned.

This is something, though, that should be picked up in subsequent edits after the first draft, when we are perusing the story cafefully for any inconsistencies or deficiencies. I believe the main key is that we put ourselves in the position of our characters, and think what they would do in these situations. Sometimes having a character not react to a situation immediately, or having this delayed for plot purposes, is also useful, but, in any which way, if it is true to the character and story, then all the better. What are your thoughts on this?

Feeling That You Are A Little Stuck For Writing Inspiration? Do Some…Cleaning!

Are you feeling that you are low on inspiration, and just cannot get any writing done? Have you been writing, but have come to a part that you just cannot continue with, and it is getting you down? Well fear not, there is a solution in sight, and it is not as difficult as it might seem. If you are feeling that you are a little stuck for inspiration, do some…cleaning!

I believe that many times our home environment can have an effect on our writing, be it positive, or, even negative. The energy can sometimes build up without us even noticing, until we wish to do something such as writing, and we feel that there is an ‘obstacle’ in our way to achieving this. By cleaning I mean the cleaning which we sometimes may let go of for a little, sometimes due to the weather, as in winter it can be difficult to clean, as we keep the doors and windows closed to keep out the cold, and other such instances.

I have found from previous experience that when I do some cleaning, be it washing windows from the inside of the house, cleaning walls, bathrooms, cleaning floors, it helps to ‘cleanse’ the home of negative energy, and I am able to continue with what has been hampering me. It gives me a buzz which I cannot explain, and brings a spring in my step. To have done some cleaning not only makes the home fresh and hygienic, it also brings about a feeling of renewal in the home, and also, our actions.

This can also extend to spring cleaning, and other forms of de-cluttering, cleaning and purging. Once one starts to do these, they can be very addictive, and wholly satisfying. Seeing the fruits of one’s labor is a joy in itself, and then the time arrives to reap the rewards of this hard work!

Are You Unconsciously Overediting Your Story?

There are instances when we are composing scenes for our stories we may consider that a specific scene(s) is/are unnecessary, and, hence, excise these. Maybe we are thinking that if we include extra scenes, this will slow down the story, or, add unnecessary material to our work. Sometimes this is necessary to do, but, many times it can be detrimental to the story to overly speed it up, or cut back on certain scenes. I have been personally finding this whilst writing a current project, but have also experienced this writing other stories.

What I originally envisioned as a short project, being around 1,000 words, is 3,000 words at the moment, and, may go higher the more I go into it. Certain scenes that did not seem as important in the initial stage gained momentum in the writing process, and, spawned more scenes, giving the story a depth which I did not foresee when I was writing the story breakdown. I am now pleased that this has happened, and, looking back, if I made the decision to not include these scenes, it would have made the story choppy, and uneven. I believe that this will assist the story to unfold at a more realistic pace, and, include the most essential scenes which are key to the story.

Everyone works in different ways with their writing. I find that I add scenes and (sometimes) new characters during the planning, first draft, or even whilst editing; it is just one of these individualistic things. What I advise is that we should not be afraid to just write scenes that may feel a little out of place in the beginning; we should just write these, and see what happens, you just never know what could emerge from all of your ‘meaningless’ pondering poured out onto the page!

The Benefits Of Leaving A Writing Project Temporarily On The Backburner

Sometimes when we are writing we may experience a feeling that we cannot proceed any further with a project, and this could be attributed to various factors. Maybe we have been working on the story for so long we begin to find fault with it, thinking that we may possibly have writer’s block, or, that it’s just not worth pursuing. Maybe the speed of life itself makes us think that we will never find the time to complete the project, and, in a sense, we may effectively ‘give up’ on the story. Whatever the reason, I believe that, in the majority of cases, there is a remedy for this, and, it is more simple than we realise.

The best thing I have found from my experience is that when I leave a work by putting it temporarily to the side, this gives me more perspective on the project, and, having some distance from it can make me more objective in the long run. Having something else to work on in between is also another great way to take one’s mind off the project, and onto something else. For example, at the present moment, I am drafting a project whilst doing the final editing for another. I find that this works as I can alternate from one to the other, and it keeps things fresh for me. In addition to this, new ideas for the stories may emerge which may not have been possible if there was a tight focus on just one story.

It’s basically one of those things where what works for one writer may not work for another; everyone has different ways of carrying out their writing projects. It could also be boiled down to the fact that maybe we need a little break from writing, which could do the trick, in order to return to it refreshed and creatively revitalised. Whatever it is, and whatever works for us, we should pursue this totally, and never feel guilty if we require some time out from writing. We know ourselves, and how we feel, and should listen to our inner voice in this respect. We will know when the time arrives for us to return to writing; our sixth sense will tell us, for sure. Now it is over to you, for your thoughts on the benefits of leaving a writing project temporarily on the back-burner.

When Writing, Never Procrastinate – Write Your Ideas Down When You Can

I believe that we all, at some point, may have done this while writing – we put it off, thinking that our ideas will stay with us, and are content to just let these stew in our minds; all the while time passes, and, in the process, we have not written anything on the page. The idea may take some shape or form in our minds, but it is just that, in our minds, and, if we allow it, may stay there, forever. This can be an unfortunate thing, as, from personal experience, I have found that once an idea or concept is down on the page, however we are comfortable, be it on the computer screen, or in longhand, there is the scope for it to develop, and, in a manner of speaking, ‘blossom’ for the writer.

Writing ideas down has positive effects which, more often than not, lead to a chain reaction for writers.  A ‘simple’ idea, once written down, as such, may spawn any number of further inspirations for the writer, as, once they begin to play with the idea, other roads open up, taking the idea down paths which the writer never expected. My message to those writers putting off writing, therefore, is that they should never procrastinate, and write their ideas down when they can. You just never know where the ideas could lead you in your writing endeavors – a short story could eventually lead into a longer novel, or a series of books…the sky’s the limit!