There’s something so daunting about a blank screen, and I think that’s especially true when you’re trying to generate a piece of creative writing. You have an idea, whether it’s a line of dialogue, a snapshot of a moment in time, or a character who’s unrelentingly pestering you. It’s up to you to take that small detail and turn it into something beautiful.
So, how do you overcome the intimidation to do it? The first time I ever tried my hand at creative writing was when I was twelve, seated in the back of a crowded minivan on my way home from a long camping trip. My blank notes app stares back at me, daring me to take the leap of faith and start writing, so I did. I would be lying if I told you that I knew exactly what pushed me to start in that moment, but I’ve had a few years of practice since then and have tried all kinds of different things to overcome that moment of heart-clenching pressure that comes from a blank document. In my opinion, there are two different ways in which lightning strikes on a new story: the inspiration and the writing itself. Neither happens without the other, even if they’re process of their own. Below, I’ve included a couple of ways in which you can jar these elements into action. Inspiration: Inspiration—for me at least—comes from consumption of other media. It might be a song lyric I’ve heard dozens of times or the style of prose in a book I read, and part of why I love to write is because of the sudden moment when inspiration strikes in the most mundane of situations. Here is some of my advice on where you can find inspiration! - Other books: Reading books in the genre you want to write in is a great step in getting inspired! It’s a great way to discover what kind of reading resonates with you, because, at the end of the day, your goal with writing should be to write what you want to read! - Music: I am a HUGE Taylor Swift fan and growing up on her music has taught me the importance of digging deep into emotions, particularly in the idea of showing instead of telling. Musicians all present stories or moments in different ways and listening to their work can help you find your voice in your own writing. - Your own community: I find the biggest inspiration in the people in my personal life, whether it’s through things they say, stories they tell about their lives, or how they interact with others. Comparing how people react to certain situations can allow you to learn how to create nuance and motivation in your own writing. Writing: This is, more often than not, the harder part. You’ve found some element of a story you want to tell. Now what? - Pinterest Boards: If there is only one Pinterest fan in the world, it is me. Before I start writing anything, I always create a board for each of my main characters before pulling quotes and images that visually show me who they are. As a visual learner, seeing the story come to life through images makes it feel more tangible and allows me to connect with it more. - Outline: This is not something that every writer does, but it is critical to the success of my personal process. I like to outline the first few chapters in detail, write a summary for myself (like the one you’d read on the back of a book in bookstore), and break down key attributes of my characters before I even start. This sounds like a lot, but when I start writing, I know what I need to accomplish on my first page. All these steps are helpful in starting the process of writing, but my biggest piece of advice is this: it doesn’t need to be perfect. It is very easy to get stuck in a space of not wanting to start writing because you are worried that it won’t be “good” on your first go. I know that this is something I struggle with, too. Still, I always try to remind myself that this is only my first draft. The more you write of a story, the more you find the voice you want to tell it in and the more your characters click into place. This draft is to fully discover the story you want to tell, not the sparkling, final draft. You will always be your harshest critic. Be gentle with yourself and allow yourself to fall in love with your story, even with its flaws. You are writing a story. That alone is success.
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January 2024
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