I attended a writers' workshop and I realized that the problem for many was not their dislike towards writing, rather it was an inability to start it off. I'm not an accomplished writer, but I've written consistently, so maybe that qualifies me to talk about how you can start off writing.
1) Ego-Writing
Start with lines like these, "I love to ....", "I don't like people who .." ,"I hate..." "I wish..." , "I'm a .... kind of person", recount your parents' experiences with you as a mischievous child, express your lost dreams, write your favorites and your dislikes and write all that you feel about yourself.
Writing happens only when there is an active thought process, and that's why this exercise works because we're always thinking about ourselves. Therefore, it is very easy to put down thoughts about yourself on paper. Once you've done it, read it, and re-read it and let your mind know that you can write.
2) Write sermon notes
Write down what you hear at the Sunday Service and transcribe it when you return home and post it on a blog, or forward it to church members and friends. After you've done this for a while, you could probably graduate to write your thoughts on the sermon, and how it helped you.
3) Get Observant
The most important quality for a writer is to be observant. The more you observe, the more you find stuff to write about. Again, this comes by practice. Choose a specific thing that you're going to observe more carefully, for instance, start observing how people say "thank you" or "bye", if you travel a lot by bus, look carefully at the expressions of people as they enter a crowded bus. Observe a lot, and make it a point to jot down each day's observation (not more than a line) somewhere, with time you'll find that your capacity to observe has increased and you'll have lots of subjects to write about.
4) Write about photographs
Pick up pictures from your album and write about when it was taken, what you think about the people in the photo, and how you felt when the photo was taken. If you took it in a special place, maybe you could give some background information of the location as well.
5) Rewrite Bible stories
Personally, this exercise helps me a lot. Rewrite bible stories as if they were narrated by a different person. For instance, write the story of Joseph, as if it were narrated by the Potiphar's wife. Write the story of the iron axe floating (Elisha's miracle) as if it were told by the axe. When you do this, you don't have to think about creating new content, instead you would just be thinking in a different dimension and doing some research to create continuity. And in the end, you would be satisfied with a unique piece of writing.
6) Write to appreciate
To be appreciative and critical is a very essential quality for a writer. And most importantly, when you're appreciating something, it's important that you don't use tired words like "amazing", "awesome", "great". Get a little descriptive and write what you really liked about it. For instance, I once stumbled upon an unknown blog (long ago, even before I started blogging), and I wrote a personal mail to the author.
"I want you to know that I really like your blog and appreciate your writing. I read a few of them and I especially like 'Making my Creator Proud' very much. I understand that it requires a lot of discipline and listening to be able to write such good work and kudos to you;you are doing a great job.
Continue writing and inspiring lives for God."
Once you've become really good at appreciating, start critiquing work. All of this spurts the mind to think, and the more you think, you can't stop yourself from writing.
7) Write letters (emails)
I bet there are lots of friends out there whom you haven't been in touch for a while. Start writing personal mails them. Write about how you've been, bring back some memories of your good times, write about how much you think of them. Include lines of best wishes and be sincere in what you're saying. This is a great way to get rid of the "I can't write" blocks.
8) Read
The urge to start writing comes when you read good books. Reading is just a habit, it isn't a special skill endowed to a select few. If you don't have the habit, hang out with people who read a lot. This works like charm, the influence would just rub on you. If you're the won't-read-anything-but-the-Bible kind, I suggest that you read a lot of Psalms and start writing your own psalms.
9) Find someone who can encourage you to write
I hate to accept it, but when you start writing, you need someone to keep pushing you to do it. Someone, to just read your work. It's a little hard to be self-motivated to write. I'm grateful to God, that I have a sister who constantly encourages me in what I do. Whatever I write, she reads. Sometimes, she doesn't say anything more than just, "it's nice", but through the years, I've learned to distinguish between her different "it's nice" tones :)
Maybe, if she wasn't around, with no other encouragement, and everyone either too busy or too critical (don't get me wrong, criticism is necessary, but is harmful if lots of doses are given in the beginning itself), I would have probably stopped writing. Find someone who can encourage you and thank God for putting them in your life.
If you're unable to find anyone, drop me a message, I'll be very glad to read, re-read, and be your buddy as you progress in your writing journey.
10) Pray a lot
I'm not a great writer, neither do I pray a lot, but most of my sensible writings have come from my conversations with God. I'm not talking about having a book of prayer or a petition list or reading 1000 praises, but a proper conversation where you communicate with God.
Nothing, opens up your mind like this. Even when you have to thank God, don't use some clichéd verses. Instead, think of specific things that you're grateful about, and say it to Him. Talk to God, as you would talk to someone looking at your face and listening intently to your words.
The more you talk to Him, more you'll find the right words to write.
Affectionately,
Callie Ariel
Image Courtesy:
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/clip/writing-color.html
1) Ego-Writing
Start with lines like these, "I love to ....", "I don't like people who .." ,"I hate..." "I wish..." , "I'm a .... kind of person", recount your parents' experiences with you as a mischievous child, express your lost dreams, write your favorites and your dislikes and write all that you feel about yourself.
Writing happens only when there is an active thought process, and that's why this exercise works because we're always thinking about ourselves. Therefore, it is very easy to put down thoughts about yourself on paper. Once you've done it, read it, and re-read it and let your mind know that you can write.
2) Write sermon notes
Write down what you hear at the Sunday Service and transcribe it when you return home and post it on a blog, or forward it to church members and friends. After you've done this for a while, you could probably graduate to write your thoughts on the sermon, and how it helped you.
3) Get Observant
The most important quality for a writer is to be observant. The more you observe, the more you find stuff to write about. Again, this comes by practice. Choose a specific thing that you're going to observe more carefully, for instance, start observing how people say "thank you" or "bye", if you travel a lot by bus, look carefully at the expressions of people as they enter a crowded bus. Observe a lot, and make it a point to jot down each day's observation (not more than a line) somewhere, with time you'll find that your capacity to observe has increased and you'll have lots of subjects to write about.
4) Write about photographs
Pick up pictures from your album and write about when it was taken, what you think about the people in the photo, and how you felt when the photo was taken. If you took it in a special place, maybe you could give some background information of the location as well.
5) Rewrite Bible stories
Personally, this exercise helps me a lot. Rewrite bible stories as if they were narrated by a different person. For instance, write the story of Joseph, as if it were narrated by the Potiphar's wife. Write the story of the iron axe floating (Elisha's miracle) as if it were told by the axe. When you do this, you don't have to think about creating new content, instead you would just be thinking in a different dimension and doing some research to create continuity. And in the end, you would be satisfied with a unique piece of writing.
6) Write to appreciate
To be appreciative and critical is a very essential quality for a writer. And most importantly, when you're appreciating something, it's important that you don't use tired words like "amazing", "awesome", "great". Get a little descriptive and write what you really liked about it. For instance, I once stumbled upon an unknown blog (long ago, even before I started blogging), and I wrote a personal mail to the author.
"I want you to know that I really like your blog and appreciate your writing. I read a few of them and I especially like 'Making my Creator Proud' very much. I understand that it requires a lot of discipline and listening to be able to write such good work and kudos to you;you are doing a great job.
Continue writing and inspiring lives for God."
Once you've become really good at appreciating, start critiquing work. All of this spurts the mind to think, and the more you think, you can't stop yourself from writing.
7) Write letters (emails)
I bet there are lots of friends out there whom you haven't been in touch for a while. Start writing personal mails them. Write about how you've been, bring back some memories of your good times, write about how much you think of them. Include lines of best wishes and be sincere in what you're saying. This is a great way to get rid of the "I can't write" blocks.
8) Read
The urge to start writing comes when you read good books. Reading is just a habit, it isn't a special skill endowed to a select few. If you don't have the habit, hang out with people who read a lot. This works like charm, the influence would just rub on you. If you're the won't-read-anything-but-the-Bible kind, I suggest that you read a lot of Psalms and start writing your own psalms.
9) Find someone who can encourage you to write
I hate to accept it, but when you start writing, you need someone to keep pushing you to do it. Someone, to just read your work. It's a little hard to be self-motivated to write. I'm grateful to God, that I have a sister who constantly encourages me in what I do. Whatever I write, she reads. Sometimes, she doesn't say anything more than just, "it's nice", but through the years, I've learned to distinguish between her different "it's nice" tones :)
Maybe, if she wasn't around, with no other encouragement, and everyone either too busy or too critical (don't get me wrong, criticism is necessary, but is harmful if lots of doses are given in the beginning itself), I would have probably stopped writing. Find someone who can encourage you and thank God for putting them in your life.
If you're unable to find anyone, drop me a message, I'll be very glad to read, re-read, and be your buddy as you progress in your writing journey.
10) Pray a lot
I'm not a great writer, neither do I pray a lot, but most of my sensible writings have come from my conversations with God. I'm not talking about having a book of prayer or a petition list or reading 1000 praises, but a proper conversation where you communicate with God.
Nothing, opens up your mind like this. Even when you have to thank God, don't use some clichéd verses. Instead, think of specific things that you're grateful about, and say it to Him. Talk to God, as you would talk to someone looking at your face and listening intently to your words.
The more you talk to Him, more you'll find the right words to write.
Affectionately,
Callie Ariel
Image Courtesy:
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/clip/writing-color.html
A very thought proving and an interesting article. The writing is lucid and to the point . The article kept me engaged in reading it fully.
ReplyDeleteLook forward in seeing many articles like this.
BPS
Thanks BPS..since this post is about "how to start writing", i didn't get a chance to write about you...when I write.."how to become an accomplished writer"...I will write about your influence in my journey.. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Callie,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post.
I always seem to have a really hard time starting off. I've been trying to write something all day, but haven't been able to write a single sentence! So, out of frustration, I just googled my problem, and found this wonderful post of yours. :)
I really liked your tips and ideas. I think I will try writing about old photographs, and rewriting old stories from a different perspective.
I used to write emails to my friends a lot until Facebook and Twitter entered the scene. No one seems to be interested in writing long, heartfelt letters anymore. Writing single line status updates on Twitter is the new, trendy way of communicating. People don't have time for long emails. Gosh, I wish I had friends still interested in writing emails.
Anyway, I really enjoyed your post. Writing this long comment has already helped me get past the "I cannot write anything" phase! I will definitely be using your ideas and tips to help me write.
Thanks so much,
Ashish (from the land where large IT brains work for the rest of the whole world) ;)
Thanks for writing this post Sister! It helped me to analyze my writing styles and to think on other untried methods to write. Have decided to write to appreciate and to write personal emails. God bless your skill and multiply it and use it for many!
ReplyDelete