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.

December 1, 2008

So you want to write a book! The first thing you need to do is to make a committment to work on the book and to make a start, no matter how small.

I developed an idea for a book about fifteen years ago. Fifteen years! And where did it go? No where. I was comfortable with the idea of writing the book. I could say to people, “I’m going to write a book,” “What about?” they’d ask. “Oh, mind travel. I haven’t started yet, but I will. I just need to get the ideas.” Ten years later, I started. I procrastinated for ten years on an idea that had gelled in my mind and which remained comfortably in the deep recesses of my brain, waiting for the magic moment.

In the mean time, I completed my PhD and studied of all topics; procrastination. This jolted me into making THE start on the book which was doomed to stay in my mind. Go to my home page. It’s there and what’s more, there is a section for book 2 which has also been written, but not yet published.

I finally got off my backside and started to write, now I can’t stop. It’s fantastic, ideas keep flowing in.

So, if you are thinking about writing a book or telling a story. Don’t wait. Do it and do it now. The idea while in your mind remains just that: an idea in your mind. Make a start by writing key ideas, develop characters, get some flow happening. My major mistake was not committing anything to paper. It was all in my mind and was going nowhere fast.

I will write more about writing later, but the first task for you, the inspiring writer, is to make a start- on paper (or your computer). Create a folder which is for the exclusive use of developing your book, this way, you are more likely to stay on task. Save often, but keep writing.