January 9, 2009

So you have started writing a story. Great! Keep the momentum going. The number one enemy of many writers is ‘procrastination.’  Put anything off until another day and the result is usually an incomplete task. If you have a story to tell, them it is important to make a start, you know this, but what is more important is to keep the writing going. If you have made a start on your big block-buster novel and have stopped to ponder over the next step, congratulations, you have entered the procrastination phase. I’m sorry to sound sarcastic, but stopping to ‘ponder’ over an idea that hasn’t been developed suggests that you may be feeeling more comfortable about the idea of producing a book than actually doing it.

Now don’t take this idea incorrectly. Yes, make a start on your book as soon as possible. Yes, keep the momentum going. Yes, take time to think about what you want to write or which direction to take, but do it all in writing. Don’t stop and ‘think’ about writing, do it.

A plan is an essential part of any book development, but it is best done in writing. So what, if you change direction. Make the change in writing, not just in your head. Thoughts about writing a novel are pipe dreams, making it a reality requires action. Wrting ‘is’ action.

I suggest that you write your plan on paper rather than on a computer. You can access a paper copy readily, keeping it handy to develop new ideas while ensuring that you remain on task. Your plan is very important and should never be neglected. Your plan can be in point form, short sentences, roughly written but above all, written. You should know where it is at all times and review it often. There is no point in writing a plan for your novel if it can get lost. There is also no point in writing a plan if it isn’t going to be accessed by you during the writing phase. So, plan and keep on writing.

Share you ideas with others. Talk to friends and family about your ideas. Tell them your story and ask for advice, but above all, listen to your heart. If the advice given doesn’t seem to fit your story, don’t use it. Remain faithful to your true intent, even if you change your mind along the way. The main idea here is that you develop the story line. Yes, use ideas suggested by others but only make the changes because you believe that they suit your plan.

Plan to write and write to plan. Keep working on your book and make the pipe-dream a reality.