Though I’ve
been a published writer since 1972, at times I still find it a challenge to
write the opening of a new manuscript.
When that happens, I make myself sit down and compose a rough first
draft, not worrying about how poorly it is written. It’s a starting point, not
set in concrete. I know when I get to
the end of the manuscript, I will rewrite the beginning a number of times until
it fits my story. At this point, just getting something on paper frees me up to
go on with the ideas trying to get out of my head and onto the pages.
I like to
compose on my computer because my penmanship is atrocious and it takes too long
for me to write legibly. Sometimes I
have a scene worked out in my mind, but the scene but it refuses to be
transferred to the computer. My fingers
tend to freeze in one location on the keyboard.
That’s a signal to pick up a good sharp pencil, or a favorite pen, and
write THREE MAGIC WORDS at the top of my paper.
My brain operates on a different track when I write by hand. That’s why I write my Morning Pages at the
kitchen table.
From Steve
Manning’s Speed Writing Course I learned to use “Three Magic Words” to “prime
the pump” in order to create a story, a scene, a picture of imaginary events,
or to portray real-life information. You
can do the same thing.
First, choose three
key words that pertain to what you want to write about. Write them at the top
of your paper. They can be nouns, verbs,
adjectives, or any other part of speech.
i.e. PETER RABBIT: Peter – Running – Garden.
Now, set your
timer for five minutes and begin writing with one of these words. Do not begin
with “It” or “A” or “The” or “Once upon a time” or anything else. Include the other two words in your first
paragraph. Do not use the word “I” in
your composition. Write as fast as you can
non-stop! The faster you write the better you will write. Don’t worry about what you’re writing. Don’t worry about spelling or repeating
yourself, or contradicting yourself.
Just keep your hand moving.
Don’t stop to ponder.
At this point you’re writing, not editing. Your goal is to write a coherent,
understandable paragraph, not your autobiography. You’re not writing a speech or what you think about something. Not the
news, the weather or a grocery list, but something you are making up inside
your head at the moment. Write whatever
comes into your mind without taking time to evaluate it.
Once you’ve
finished, read what you’ve written aloud.
Chances are you will be surprised at what your brain dug out for you to
record. If you are not satisfied with
the scene, write another one, with the same words, or some new ones. Repeat the exercise whenever you have
difficulty with some part of your story.
This may not work for everybody, but it works for me, whether I am
writing the opening or something else.
If you try this
four or five times and it doesn’t get the desired results, I suggest Free
Writing. This is less structured. The
longer you write, the more your brain will explore new possibilities. It’s easy
to get started in this conversation with yourself. This simplest way is to pick up your writing
implement and record everything you know about the subject. When you’ve exhausted your thoughts, stop and
read what you have written. Something
there may stand out as the starting point for another similar exercise.
Here’s another
way to Free Write.
“I need to
write about (List your topic.) I am
writing this for (Tell for whom.) I am
writing it because (State your reason.)
What I want to say is that (Write whatever ideas pop into you head.) Continue with such thoughts as these: I could
say______. I want to include________. I
don’t want to forget to mention_________.
As you let your
mind ramble about, you’ll find other things you want to say. When you have exhausted your topics, put down
your pen and reread what you’ve written.
Once you see the new ideas you have generated, you should be well on
your way to writing that piece that you’ve been putting off.
These
procedures helped me through problem areas when I was writing my historical novels.
I urge you to try them and see for yourself how they generate ideas,
I’d enjoy
hearing how they work for you.
Guest post by Hope Irvin Marston www.HopeIrvinMarston.com
