No matter what you are writing, the first priority is write the first draft.
Most writers procrastinate. Since writing is a demanding job requiring focus and dedication, most writers delay, dally, defer, and dawdle. How does one get that first draft completed?
1. Plan
2. Organize
3. Implement
4. Write
Without a doubt, the most important step is to plan what one intends to write, be it a novel, an article, an essay, a short story, or a poem. The writer must have something to say and a desire to say it. The need to express, for whatever reason, is important. It may be self-fulfillment, it may be economic, or it may to leave a legacy, but whatever it is it must be strong enough to force the writer to prepare and develop a way to put words to paper.
Once the idea is generated, the second important step is to organize. This usually means time at a computer or typewriter. Time must be set aside, a place of work must be established, and distractions (whatever they are) must be eliminated. The professional writer writes every day and often everywhere, but the amateur may not have the same motive or drive. Time, of course, varies from person to person; some writers have a day job to contend with, others write only when the urge comes upon them, or whenever time is available. An ideal place to write will also depend on the individual; some need noise as a background; others require silence; and still other do not care-they can write anywhere. The elimination of distractions is different for each person. Writers have written with bustle and hurry all about them; others need a special place with a special ambience. Do what you have to do.
Putting thoughts to paper or screen is the most important part of the process. Start. Write quickly letting the thoughts flow from the mind to the paper or screen. Do not be too concerned about syntax, word choice, grammar, spelling, or capitalization. The most imperative act is to get something down; rewriting will take care of the technical aspects of writing. Today most word processors have grammar and spellcheckers, but do not rely exclusively on them. They do not find all errors; if you are poor at spelling and grammar seek the services of someone who is capable in these areas-a friend, a teacher, or if necessary a professional copywriter. That is writing: planning, organizing, and putting words to paper or to screen. It is not difficult if one has a positive attitude about it.
Charles O. Goulet had a BA in History and a BEd in English literature. Several of his historical novels have been published and are available through Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Barnes and Noble, and many other bookstores. His website is http://www.telusplanet.net/public/go1c. His blog is http://www.telusplanet.net/public/go1c
As you set out to create your first niche non-fiction... Read More
If you become a writer for any publication, private business,... Read More
Before you even begin writing your novel, you need to... Read More
Peter Mayle was born in England in 1939.His fascination with... Read More
What to do when you get rejected.You've just finished your... Read More
10 - You will always have a job. As long... Read More
Verb and SubjectIncorrect:"I bet you two had a fine time,"... Read More
Good writing is like sex. Two people are involved ?... Read More
If Ben Franklin were alive today, he would be...uh, very... Read More
Ever wonder what an author's life is like? What that... Read More
Communication is effective when we follow certain rules. These rules... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Writing is a creative process and how... Read More
Most books aren't rejected because the stories are "bad." They're... Read More
You have just completed a draft of an article. It... Read More
During the years that I've been teaching writing and participating... Read More
It's 6:00 p.m. You're dead tired, but instead of an... Read More
Winning writing contests can provide several advantages to writers. For... Read More
Some writers complain that writing is arduous work requiring long... Read More
You are far more likely to successfully write and publish... Read More
This is the ideal topic for us all to think... Read More
One day in the mid-1970's a young man stumbled into... Read More
Beyond three and four act story structure, lies the Hero's... Read More
First impressions count in writing too! So it is always... Read More
The urge to write fiction seems God given for some,... Read More
You might not need any memoir writing help, per se,... Read More
I've been in the communications business a long time?over 25... Read More
What am I supposed to give Anthony as a wedding... Read More
Do you love someone very deeply? A spouse, son, daughter,... Read More
I'm in the process of moving from one computer to... Read More
As you set out to create your first niche non-fiction... Read More
User documentation is all too often written by programmers for... Read More
For several years before I left teaching to write full... Read More
The Hottest Word on the WebDid you know marketing people... Read More
Obtaining the skills for writing good business correpondence is important;... Read More
Plotting a book can seem an overwhelming task when you're... Read More
Joyce Carol Oates. Langston Hughes. Anne Sexton. F. Scott Fitzgerald.... Read More
Pictures they say are worth a thousand words, but many... Read More
Building a new website can be extremely exciting. Seeing your... Read More
Writers are notorious collectors of slips of paper. They tear... Read More
"If you're like me, than I'm sure you're pretty familiar... Read More
A frequent conversation I have with my writing clients is... Read More
Being a great writer is no longer enough if you... Read More
What is Sense of Place? It's the image of a... Read More
Characters in a good novel really carry the story along... Read More
Writing technical articles is a challenge. There you sit, surrounded... Read More
While novels do not usually attempt to convey concepts about... Read More
What's the best way to plot?Quick answer: the best way... Read More
Back in my school days, if the teacher demanded a... Read More
Freelance writer STANLEY BURKHARDT has a passion for animals. He... Read More
As writers, we initially tend to be either more cerebral... Read More
Writing |