Whether you are writing with the aim of publishing a novel, short story, or you are simply writing for yourself, at one point or another, we all struggle to produce satisfactory work. Some have difficulty starting, some reach writer’s block in the middle, and others can never figure out when to set down their pen.
Earlier this year, I published my first novel — a young adult fantasy titled One Cruel House. I didn’t quit writing after that accomplishment, though. In fact, I’ve been writing even more since. I began the sequel to One Cruel House, and over the course of my gap year in Paris, I worked on an espionage thriller that follows a young Parisian-American who is recruited to be an agent for another nation. Most of these writing processes, though, were not entirely smooth. I ran into blocks and bumps, but I ultimately ended up with multiple writing pieces with which I was more than happy. I want all writers to be able to feel this way by the end of their writing process, so I’ve decided to share a few key components that allowed me to translate my thoughts into words I felt were coherent, accurate, and beautiful.
Whether or not I mean to publish my work, I always write down my thoughts; and this is what has been most helpful to me as a writer.
Write down everything.
I like to keep a Notes tab open on my phone labeled “Random Narration Phrases” because at any point beautiful literary lines and phrases that I just know I’ll need for future pieces will pop into my mind; I have come to call it the “Day-Line Effect.” Adhering to the Day-Line Effect can mean carrying around a small notepad or keeping a tab open on your phone, as I do. Either way, make sure you are always able to write down the little lines you think of when you aren’t writing. Some people may find this to be a hassle, but I promise that you will be so grateful you wrote down that one line from last week when you are able to pull it up and insert it into the perfect spot in your story.
The necessity for a notepad or Notes page doesn’t stop there, though. Alongside my “Random Narration Phrases,” I have five running lists of quotes — separated by category, of course: Quotes, Quotes by Friends/People I Know, Movie/TV Show Quotes, Book, Poem, and Song Quotes, and Overall Favorite Quotes. This is something I recommend every author or writer do; quotes can provide us with great inspiration. I often draw on all of my lists, and they have yet to fail me.
If quotes aren’t really your thing, though, and neither have you been impacted by the Day-Line Effect, try keeping track of words you like. I have another tab on my phone dedicated to single words I like the sound of, meaning of, or would want to include in my writing. This list has not only given me inspiration, but it has also expanded my vocabulary which is crucial for writers — and novice writers in particular. To give a sense of what your list could look like, here are a few words I have on mine:
Garish
Draconian
Troika
Vixen
Gangly
Regaling
Justice
Whatever words you like — no matter the reason — write them down!
If you are still struggling to find inspiration during your writing process, try turning to something that doesn’t emphasize traditional language. Music, for example, can be an incredibly powerful tool for writers. Whenever I don’t know where I want my story to go or I don’t know how to express my plot properly, I turn to music; I look for a playlist that corresponds to the genre I’m writing, and I just listen for a little while. It may not always give you the exact words you are looking for, but it certainly gets you in the right mindset to keep trying.
As I mention a few more methods for writers to use, I want to address a myth to which I believe many writers fall victim: In order to start your writing, you need to know exactly where your writing is going.
This could not be further from the truth. You do not need to know the entire plot of your story to start writing.
Of course it would be helpful — especially if you are thinking of writing succeeding installments — but it is not always necessary.
You do, however, have to choose a genre. I would suggest you start with one, but that doesn’t always have to be the case; it can be a mix. Either way, it is crucial you make that decision. Getting started will be much easier, and once you do get started, expanding your writing will come more easily as well.
So let’s say you are able to successfully narrow it down to one genre. You feel ready to go, but you pick up your pencil or you set your fingers on the keyboard, and you realize that you don’t know how to start. To that I say, do not underestimate the effectiveness of prompts. Writing prompts help get your mind working whether or not you know what to write about; however, I’ve come to learn that they are especially useful if you do know what you want to write about. If you can decide on your genre, your search for a prompt is made that much easier and is that much more likely to help you advance your writing. In any genre, there are myriad prompts. Search online or in books, choose a handful, and then get writing.
If, for some reason, though, you aren’t able to find a satisfactory prompt, I recommend creating a writing jar for yourself. This is a classic method that I’m sure has been used by writers for a long while. All you need is some paper, a writing utensil, and a jar or bowl. If you’ve employed my earlier tactics, pull up your notepad or Notes pages and jot down some of your favorite words, phrases, or quotes. Then, toss them into the jar, shake it up, and pull out three pieces (to start); use them to create any piece of writing that includes each word or phrase you chose. You’ve just created a unique prompt for yourself.
These methods of mine were discovered in the context of novel-writing and creative-writing, but they are not restricted to those writing genres. In fact, I often use them when I’m writing poetry, and sometimes analytical papers and journalistic articles. So if you find yourself reading these tips and thinking, “Well, that won’t really work for my kind of writing,” I urge you to think again! Try them out, and see where it gets you.