From Pen to Page
Instructions for
Write-Brained People
By
Gioya McRae
Publisher’s Note
Copyright 2008 by Gioya McRae
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form without written permission by the publisher. First edition.
For information address:
Mocha Mind Communications
Montclair, NJ 07042
info@mochamind.com
ISBN 978-0-9774542-5-9
Published by Mocha Mind Communications at Smashwords
Edited by Jovita Wallace, www.beinginbalanceinc.com
Cover designed by KatKlaw Productions www.katklaw.com
This book is available in print at most online retailers.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my students who have taught me more than they could know.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Roots of Writer’s Block
Solutions for Writer’s Block
Putting the Fear Behind You
Common Mistakes
Segmented Scribbling
Snappy Scribbling
Stop Procrastination
Curing Lost Motivation
Get a Scribbling Sidekick
Making Time to Write
Write Every Day
Think It Over
Plan It Out
Write In Depth
Edit Your Work
Proof Your Work
3. The Mechanics of Creative Writing
4. How to Craft a Great Article
Basic Article Structures
Finding Your Focus
Unity & Flow
The Hook
Show - Don’t Tell
Ending Well
Eye-Catching Titles
Places to Look for Article Ideas
Your Setting
Characters
Your Plot
Outline Your Story
Narrative vs. Dialog
Ending Well
Successful Query Letters
How to Get Rejected
Finding Your Markets
Writing Clips
Manuscript Format
Manuscript Submission
Cover Letters
The Masthead
Publication Rights
Commercial Publishers vs. Self-Publishing vs. Vanity Publishers
How to Create Press Kits
Writing Your Bio
Your Publicity Photo
Create Hot Press Releases
Book Reviews
Create the Buzz
Why You Should Have a Website
Elements of a Good Website
Promoting on the Web
Great Book Signings
Speaking Engagements
INTRODUCTION
This book is for the beginning writer, the aspiring author…the dreamer. If you toy with the idea of writing to be published, From Pen to Page is the book for you.
From Pen to Page will give you a good overview of the writing life, complete with tips, step-by-step instructions, warnings and encouragement. It will give you methods to move ideas from your brain to paper to a finished piece and removes the confusion of the writing process.
If you’ve ever wondered where to start or blanked out mid-article, you’ll find the solutions here. Learn the logical order of the writing process.
Got a pile of rejection slips? We’ll show you how to tighten up your work for publication.
Feeling lonely in a wordsmith’s world? Discover how to find the perfect writing partner.
Finally, learn how to create a buzz about your work, before it’s even published.
By the time you’ve finished From Pen to Page, you’ll be ready to join the ranks of the published and shine, shine, shine.
Chapter 1
The Roots of Writer’s Block
Ok, so you’ve planned your assignment thoroughly. Your computer’s humming and ready. You have a hot, steaming cup of coffee on your desk and your research materials are neatly piled at your fingertips. So, why can’t you start that assignment? You’ve probably fallen prey to one of the common roots of writer’s block.
Root #1: You don’t know what to write.
We’re not talking about knowing your subject matter, but about what format to write it in. Of course, you’ve researched and planned your assignment thoroughly, but research is not the problem. Most likely, the problem started before the research stage. Simply put, you don’t know the format or parameters of your assignment.
Before you write, you should know:
~Your Article Idea – the general subject matter
~Your Viewpoint – the focus or niche that makes your article special
~Your Key Terms – what points of interest your article will cover
Once you have this outline, your article, essay, etc. should fall into place easily.
Root #2: Fear of Writing
Yes, we’re afraid, whether we admit it or not. Why? Here are a few reasons:
~We can’t duplicate past successes. Yes, your last article, story, etc. was received with rave reviews. Now you’re held to a new standard. Everyone will expect you to bust out another blockbuster story. Don’t sweat it. Your earlier achievements were not due to luck. They were due to your competence, research and hard work. You still have your skills and talent. So go for it!
~We can’t write like our idols. Maybe you don’t write like Stephen King, Walter Mosley, or Zora Neale Hurston, but you do have a unique voice. Use it. Let future generations imitate you.
~We’re haunted by the opinions of non-writers. Someone you respected didn’t like your last work. Everyone’s a critic. But, everyone’s not an educated critic. Be careful whom you listen to. Good writers and avid readers can give you good opinions. Take the others with a grain of salt and write on!
Root #3: Creating Perfection
I’m guilty of it too. We try to create a story and express it perfectly – the perfect words, the perfect composition, the perfect expression – the first time out. As we put words to paper (or computer screen), we often get stuck trying to use the most accurate words as we write. We stop mid-sentence and sit, stubbornly staring into space for long periods of time trying to find exactly the right words. Stop that!
Just write your thoughts as quickly as possible. “Perfect” is what happens during the editing process. Remember, create first; polish later.
Root #4: Trying to Write in Perfect Order
The first paragraph of your piece is crucial. It must draw the reader in, set the tone for your entire work, and compel the reader to continue on. As important as it is, it's almost impossible to write a final version of this vital paragraph until the rest of the article is complete. Don’t worry about it.
Whenever you’re stuck, whether it’s the first paragraph or any other part of your piece, just skip over it and come back to it later. No one’s giving out awards for completing your work in perfect order. If you’re worried about forgetting to go back and add the paragraph or scene, just enter a placeholder as a reminder.
Example: **FIRST PARAGRAPH HERE** or **LOVE SCENE HERE**
Root #5: Trying to Write It All at Once
A large project can be overwhelming. You’ve done tons of research and it’s all staring you in the face. Just pick a place to start, not necessarily at the beginning. Don’t worry about the mammoth project. Just start on one section and start writing. Then do the same thing the next day. Eventually, all the pieces may fit together into a Pulitzer Prize winning piece!
Root #6: Burn Out
Too many times we push ourselves to write or finish a project no matter how tired and bleary-eyed we are. There comes a time during the writing process when we need to take a break. No, I don’t mean a vacation. I mean a fifteen-minute break after an hour of writing. A little break is sometimes just what we need to rejuvenate our creative processes. Try it.
I’ve listed the major roots of writer’s block, and I’m sure you can come up with some of your own, but let’s move on to solutions.
Solutions for Writer’s Block
For starters, relax. Take a breath. You’re more likely to make that deadline on time if you take a time-out and rethink your project rather than staring into the computer screen until you can think of the next perfect word. Here are some tried and true methods of brain lubrication to move you forward.
Free-write
Free-writing is simple. You set a timer for a random amount of time, then begin writing as fast as possible without stopping until your time is up. You can write about whatever comes to mind. It can be one subject or free-flowing musings. The purpose of this exercise is to create thought. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, or finding the perfect word. Just keep typing. If your mind goes blank, write “I can’t think of anything now, but I will. Oh, here’s an idea…” The key is to write quickly and boldly.
Re-Creation
Pull out a book from your favorite author. By using a favorite author, you’ll relate to the tempo and message of his/her writings. Read a passageway or paragraph, then try to recreate it. This is a sure way to fire up your synapses again.
Leave a Little to Write
Many writers end their writing day by starting a new paragraph and leaving it unfinished. That way, when they start writing again, they have a clear place to begin. Many authors actually awaken, excited to continue writing on the idea they started the day before. This is a great way to always have a clear idea of what you’re writing next.
Write in a Different Genre
If you usually write historical novels, create a poem instead. In other words, writing something out of your ordinary realm will shake up those creative brain cells.
Reread Yesterday’s Writing
If you’ve gotten stuck mid-project, read what you wrote on previous days to regain your flow. Don’t start editing, just read. Revising or correcting your work will take you out of writing mode and move you into editing mode. Remember writing and editing are two different functions.
Get into Character
Try donning a cowboy hat and boots to put yourself in character for that western novel you’re writing. Act out a scene. You’ll be surprised at the authenticity you’ll add to your writing.
Have Someone Else Read Your Stuff
When you’re stuck mid-article, have someone read what you've written and tell you if anything is unclear. Your answers to the reader’s questions will help you know what to write next.
Research, React and Type
Put your pile of research materials near your keyboard. As you review your materials, type notes on the items that stand out. Whatever thoughts jump into your mind - whether you agree with, hate, relate to, dispute, or love the material you are reading – should be typed. When you’re done, your screen may look like a mishmash of reactions, but you’ll also have some solid thoughts you can work into your article.
Write a Letter
Write a letter to a friend or family member. This is especially helpful if you write to someone who may relate to the intended audience of the article or project you are composing. Writing to someone we know is also much less stressful than writing to strangers, because we are comfortable in the knowledge that the recipient cares about us and will, subsequently, be supportive of our piece.
Write Outside
Meet another author at a diner or coffee shop so you can write in a new environment. Sit in the park or on the back porch and write. Don’t worry. It’s ok to write with pencil and paper if you don’t have a laptop.
Interview Yourself
Set up an interview on your screen between yourself and an imaginary person who's interviewing you about your topic. Answering your interviewer’s questions may give you the words you need to start your project.
Write Badly
Sometimes we can’t write, because we feel whatever we’re writing is bad…really bad. That’s ok. We can’t write brilliantly all of the time. Give yourself permission to write badly. You can always revise it later. Remember, nothing is written in stone.
Write About Writing
Note your thoughts about the writing process. Write about how angry your writer’s block makes you or about how well you’ve written in the past week. Write about the creative writing instructor who mistakenly said you had no talent. Write about your upcoming novel. Before you know it, words are flowing in your brain and you can get back to your intended project.
As you can see, there are many options to take when you feel you’re stuck. So, no more excuses. Get to it!