The Not-So Austen Bookclub discussion

Inspired by a question asked to me in the 'Q&A with Booknut' discussion thread, I decided to create 'Write or Wrong' - a place where people can post up writing tips, and also where writers (both aspiring and professional) can ask questions and seek advice, and receive immediate and helpful feedback.

To start us off, I thought I'd post up the tips I offered the bookworm who asked me about the creative writing process. So here they are!

_____________

Writing Tips :

For inspiration:

There are many sources of inspiration for creative writing - and they differ depending on what you're exposed to, your personal experiences and what you're hoping to achieve.

Some good starting points are:

- The news. This was a tip given to me by an English teacher of mine - to either grab a newspaper/magazine/(my preferred method) go online and search for weird/interesting stories in the news. These can be great inspiration for a story, a plot, or even an incident that could be the starting point of your story (e.g. a woman surviving a terrible accident, etc.)

- Family history. Maybe it's just me but I find that family members (especially the elderly) are the best sources you could ask for! Try sitting down with some of the older members of your family (aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.) and asking them about their childhoods/about their lives. I know that I have more than one creative writing story that was inspired by the tales of my grandfather's life. Sometimes other people's lives can provide writers with golden snippets of inspiration.

- Mind maps. Grab a dictionary/thesaurus/simply pick one word. Place that word in the middle of a page and start mind-mapping! I find this is one of the best methods of motivating oneself to start writing. Add words to the mind-map that the original word brings to mind (e.g. your starting word is 'sorrow' - and you add words coming from it like 'grief', 'death', 'accident', 'not her fault', 'raining', 'driving at night'...and slowly the story will start coming together.)

For motivation:

Ah. Motivation. The elusive friend of writers everywhere!

Motivation can come in a variety of forms:

- Re-reading what you've already written (can clear your mind and remind you of where you'd picture the story going/give you new ideas)
- Mind-maps
- The Skip-Write-Return Method (a method I use all the time! Skip the section you're stuck on, start writing the part of the story that comes afterwards, and then return to the original section and join the two sections together)
- Pep talks (Vent. Let it all out and talk to someone about your frustrations! Maybe they can help you get rid of your writer's block/encourage you)

Story outlining:

Everyone - well, most people - at some point or another has been given that charming sheet with 'Story Outline' written in bold lettering at the top of the page! That's where I suggest you start.

1.) Draw up a basic story outline:

Grab a blank page and draw up sections for:
- Characters
- Introduction
- Plot
- Complication
- Resolution

Then fill these out.

2.) Play time!

You don't want your story to be 'basic', though, so it's time to play with your structure! Try mixing the order (e.g. putting the resolution at the beginning, or getting rid of the resolution altogether. Maybe even introducing the complication at the very beginning or having the complication flow into your 'resolution' creating a cliffhanger).

Playing with the basic narrative structure will give your story a unique spin.

2.) Genre/style:

Before you put pen to paper/fingers to the computer keys, you need to decide on a genre &/ style for your story.

- Is it going to be in the style of an interview/diary/transcript/poem/etc.?
- Is it going to be one form/style the whole way through? Or are you going to interweave lyrics/poetry/interview through it?

Once you decide, you need to tailor you unique structure you created in Step 2 to your form/style.

3.) Mind-map:

Grab your structure and start plotting! Your structure only states the basics - it's time to fill in the gaps.

- Add character flaws/likes and dislikes/backstories next to their names.
- Write down names of places/deities/etc.
- Have a complication? Then what is it/who does it involve/who knows about it/who does it effect?

4.) Start writing:

Now you have your structure and your details, you can start writing!

To inspire me further, I normally try to come up with the name of the story and I'll sometimes even play around and create a mock-cover for the 'book'. This way your cover/title can provide added inspiration to how your plot will play out.

Wow! Great tips! Thanks so much Booknut:)

^^

Great advice - thank you! x

You're all welcome - glad I could help :)

Quick question how many of you have a figment or wattpad account?

Neona wrote: "Quick question how many of you have a figment or wattpad account?"

I have a wattpad account. Username: ClaraBosswald.

I've never heard of Figment. Is it good?

What's Figment?

i have wattpad,username:MysteriousMaya

I just got a wattpad:)
Username: eat-sleep-read95

Figment is just like wattpad, both are webside for writers I have figment. I use the same username i have on here for it.

Oh! Okay, very cool:)