Tip o' Whenever I Feel Like It (The Writing Method)

You walk down a nice sidewalk, the birds are chirping, the breeze is blowing... Wait, birds chirping? Suddenly you are struck with inspiration. You immediatly write it down because you know the dullest pencil is sharper than the smartest mind. Huffing and puffing, you run home to your computer, and boot it up. Come on, come on, you think to yourself, as the dinosaur wakes. Finally, your on Word. Your fingers tingle with anticipation, ideas flowing like a river. But then, you stop.

A lack of organization can bring any good story idea to a screeching halt. Many writers use many different methods to creat their stories, here's mine.

First, when hit with inspiration, I always, always write it down. I cannot emphasize this enough. Write any inspriation you have down. Don't make the mistake of thinking it's stupid or that it is not good enough. Never hate on inpspiration. Write it down.

In every step of the process, it is good to collaborate with other, but make sure to choose you're friends wisely, because they could push you up, or drag you down.

Now that you have many great story ideas writen, and your friends chosen, you need a way to form them. The first step is to outline a crude plot. "What is the problem/solution?" is the main question to answer here. Also, think of the events surrounding this problem/solution. Next is to choose and define your manecharacter(s). What are their strengths and weaknesses? How is the plot/events going to display their strengths and weaknesses? How will they resolve the plot? I mostly do not worry about the theme too much at this point. Usually, if the plot is good and the characters are developed, you can worry about the theme later.

The next step is your first draft. I would suggest to use good ol' pen and paper. Why? Well for one, it's super protable. Two, you only need light and a good place to write to use it. Three, it's cheap.

When writing your first draft, write whatever comes to mind. It is important not to judge if it is good or not, later drafts will do that for you.

After that's done, look through it. Figure out the physics (or the logical reasoning explaining the physical world and natural events). Personally, I like to tie as much of the real world to fantasy world as possible. Figure out names, genders, anything that would go into the math and science departments of your universe.

Now, you can take out that computer. The second draft is where you add style to the story. This is where you take out those notes from earlier (you did remember to write them, didn't you?). Here is where you decide if your characters are in character, where you decide how your style will affect the reader's interpretation of the story, what parts you want to get throught quickly, and what parts you really want to drive home.

The third draft is where it all comes together. Here is were you want all the technical stuff to be sorted out. Check for spelling and grammer. Now, I know spell check is nice, but you still have to make sure your words mean what they're suppost to mean. You don't want "amatuer" becoming "armature". This is also your last chance to make sure that the artistic part (characters, plot, and now theme) is all there. Here is where you want to read your story aloud. You will find that some things don't make sense and that others can be writen better. You also want to get others to read your work, and drill them for an honest opinion. Don't take "it's nice" or "it was good", ask them what they loved and what they hated. Here is the time to put your ego aside and listen very carefully. Remember, you asked for it.

Now you've read it aloud, and you've had some one else read it, now what? Do it again! Read it 'till your sick of your own work, have everyone you know look at it. Be careful not to over-edit, though. Remember, editing is to enhance the plot, character, theme, and story over all. Also, be picky about the advice you take, not all of it will be good.

Ok, ok. So I've done all this. Now what?

Share! Share your magnificent piece of art to the world, brag about it to everyone you know (but don't get a big head about it), be proud that you've spent the right proper amount of time from turning a one cent idea, into a million dollar master piece. Do this, and you will be one step closer to amatuer.

Always Sincerely,

The Music Man