On Writing... and Reading

There is no right way to write. Each of us is unique and will develop our own style as we practise.

BUT – we have to start somewhere and there are basic skills that are useful for beginners to learn. A creative writing course is one way and reading good ‘How To’ books can be helpful as can joining a Writers’ Group. I did all these things. Although I had been writing for my own pleasure for many years I felt I needed some guidelines when the time came to write my first novel. I needed a structure and found Dianne Doubtfire’s book, ‘The Craft of Novel Writing,’ very useful as a starting point. I made a chart, divided it into twenty chapters with a brief idea of what I wanted to cover in each one and got going – kept going – and finished it. I think it gave me the confidence that I could actually do it and also the knowledge that I could let go of the structure and trust in my own innate creativity.

Since then my writing process has developed into something more organic that weaves in and out of itself, layering and deepening the story. It starts with an idea – usually unexpected – which can be a dream, a vision, a thought or a real-life fleeting experience. I curl up in a chair (or sit by the sea) with paper and pencil and let it flow – a real scribble and jostle of characters and images. I know the whole story but as if it were in spirit form waiting to be fleshed out. Two or three main characters need to have their viewpoint expressed and maybe a fourth to get deeper insight into situations. I draw sketches and take photos of the area and write detailed histories of my characters. I make a time-line so that all dates and events are correct and my nature diary and writer’s notebook are close at hand. In my writing den I have a whiteboard on which I can display lots of visual stuff that inspires me. All of the above are on-going processes that develop as I start to put the story onto the word-processor. As I write I jot down a couple of sentences explaining each chapter which forms the basis for a synopsis.

As a writer the word is your only tool. This may seem obvious, but it really is the only means you have to get across to your reader what you are envisioning. So spend time with words, be creative, sit quietly and allow words to arise, clear, beautiful and accurate, use all your senses when you write - including your sixth - to get a good inner/outer balance. Read books by writers that inspire you, jot down words that ignite you. I have a ‘wonderful words’ file that I keep on my desk.

Ask yourself what motivates you. My motivation for writing has always been what I call ‘The Search’. I believe as human beings we are all searching for something that will bring us to a place of deep inner satisfaction and fulfilment.

The ways in which we conduct our search are many and varied and through looking at our own predilections we can start to understand and develop our theme. Our quest may be for meaning, excitement, justice, beauty, love, peace – many paths for different people. Stories portrayed as novels and films are like vicarious searches – we observe others doing it and maybe learn something. Perhaps as writers we can search more and more deeply and unearth something inside ourselves that underlies it all.

I express ‘The Search’ through relationships of all kinds – how we damage and nurture each other, the conflicts, betrayals and discoveries that twist and turn until the story ends. I like the conclusion to be satisfying – not necessarily happy ever after, but certainly the characters need to have learned or gained something.

Writer, know thyself. Know where your passion lies, what genre and voice is yours. Your writing will grow deeper and richer and the places in which your story is set will have atmosphere. Write from your heart as well as your head – we do need both!