What works for one writer may not work for another.
Should I keep my current work in a file folder or in a notebook? I used to keep my current work in a portable file box. The hanging files worked great. Each chapter went into a separate folder. All the critiques for that chapter were stored in folders-behind that chapter file. Research went in a separate file, character profiles in another, notes in its own file, and so on.
My problem came when I took file folders out and didn't return them to their proper place once I had finished with them. It was much easier to stack them in a pile near my desk. Those stacks grow fast. They have babies, too! I know, you're wondering how. Well, I'll tell you. When the stacks fall over, I separate them into smaller stacks. Vofla! The miracle of birth, but, like all babies, those stacks grow. They have relatives that visit, too. After a while, all I have is a messy room. Then it takes me all day to clean it. That cuts into my writing time. I still think the portable file box is a great idea, but not for my novel in progress. I like the notebook, my current work is neat and orderly. My computer room still gets messy, but that's only because I haven't figured out how to make my research books jump back into their designated places on the book shelves.
Whatever system you choose for storing your current work and all its information, make sure you keep it organized. You'll find it's less frustrating.
To get to know my characters, should I do a character interview or free association profiling? Both methods work, but one may work better for you than another. A writer can design an interview specifically for a particular character. There may be general questions, but you can ask specific questions that pertain only to that character's job, lifestyle, etc. Many writers wouldn't think of learning about their characters any other way. I have done character interviews, but prefer, free association. Free association allows me to do what I do best, ramble. Try both of these methods or any other method you come across. Choose the one that helps you learn the most about your character.
Should I write an outline of my story, or should I let the story totally unfold as I write it? An outline is your guide. It tells the direction your story is heading. Doesn't that take all the fun out of writing? Won't I be sick of the story before I even get it written? When you write an outline, all you're doing is setting the facts down in the order in which they happen. An outline may contain bits of dialogue. Having an outline doesn't mean that the story is written. It is a guide that helps you get from one scene to another. You'll know when it's time for the big black moment. You'll know how much you need to write before your characters can resolve their differences. If you're not sure if you need an outline, then ask yourself this, "Without an outline, how many manuscripts have I completed?' If you're one of the lucky ones who writes without an outline or a synopsis and can produce salable material, then that must work for you. For me, using an outline doesn't take the fun out of writing, because an outline is telling, not showing. I still have to write the book!
There are so many other avenues of writing that I could touch on in this article. Look at plotting entire books have been written on different ways to plot. The same goes for characterization or writing a synopsis, but that really isn't the point of this article. The point I'm trying to make is that eventually every writer finds his/her own way to write. Explore different techniques. Find the technique that works best for you. You may even find that the one you choose may be the most difficult one out of the whole lot, but if it helps you produce a salable manuscript, it's worth the work. Keep in mind that a method can only work if it's put to use. Some preparation to write is necessary, but at some point, the preparation must stop and the writing must begin. If you don't write, you won't sell. |
