Beginner Or Pro, Teenager Or Retiree, You Write Because You Have Something To Say
All writing starts with an idea. That’s just common sense. You want to say something Express a concern. Discuss an issue. Share a fact or a tale with others.
Nonetheless, wannabe-writers constantly ask, “Where can I find ideas to write about?” When young, the world is an exciting place. Day after day you make new discoveries. Write about them. Share your youthful enthusiasm with others.
At the later end of the life cycle, seniors can call upon years of experience in a business or profession to write a nonfiction book
You may decide to choose your life-long hobby as the subject of a how-to book. If you’re really into creative writing, you may decide to place the protagonist of your novel in the career field you know so well or make him/her a devotee of your favorite hobby.
Regardless of your age, the genesis of your book or article may be right within your home. It may be your interaction with siblings, your special techniques of parenting, a loved one’s severe illness…indeed the experiences of daily life offer an excellent foundation for good stories, articles or books.
Perhaps you have come to know a fascinating character, discovered an unusual location or attended a unique event. Tell others about it.
Become a Clipper
As a writer you must be alert and constantly probe to uncover the right subject to write about. Whatever the source, the writer must see things others don’t and ask, “Is there a story here. Does it have the potential to become a full-length book or ma meaningful article?”
Oftentimes an article you find in a magazine or newspaper will generate an interesting idea. Even if you are not ready to pursue it just then, clip and file it away to be certain you can easily return to it when time allows.
Clipping is an essential part of every writer’s routine. You may never use some of these clips, but if and when you’re ready to tackle the story, you’ll have the nucleus of that piece in your file. That will save you a great deal of research time.
Know What You Write
Time and again you’ve heard the admonition, “Write what you know.” You will find that advice in almost every book on writing or hear it from many instructors. I prefer to tweak it just a bit to “Know what you write.”
Stop and think of the difference. “Write what you know” is not a license to write off the top of your head, thinking that you know all there is to know about the topic. Quite the opposite. It means write only when you have become sufficiently knowledgeable to cover the subject well.
Although starting with a fundamental knowledge of the subject gives you a definite advantage, it certainly is possible to write on a topic with which you are not familiar if you have done adequate research.
Let’s look at an example of what I mean taken from my latest book The Writer Within You. A trout fisherman with years of experience is far better qualified to tell readers how best to tie a Greased Lightning than I am. However, none of this precludes me from writing on the subject if I do the research necessary to develop a command of the material that a well thought-out book or article demands.
Know Your Facts
Facts are extremely important to all writing. They are the essence of a nonfiction piece. But they are essential to a short story or a novel as well. While you can let your imagination run free when crafting fiction, beware. Your story still requires an intimate knowledge of the location in which it is set and of the characters you develop, and you will quickly destroy your story and lose your reader if your facts are not accurate and consistent.
If you haven’t done the research to give your nonfiction reader what he/she is looking for, don’t even begin. Even if you are able to formulate a strong and informative opening, you will bog down as you continue on. So be fully prepared before you face your computer keyboard.
Insufficient knowledge is the number one cause of Writer’s Block, that dread disease that you have heard so much about. Envision yourself seated at the computer, eager to write, but unable to. You suddenly realize you haven’t thought your subject through. You haven’t digested all of the facts needed to develop a powerful piece. You’re stuck.
Head back to your notes, and concentrate on filling in the empty holes. You will find that all it takes to cure that dread disease is a good-sized gulp of “fact medicine.” So pick your subject carefully, know it well, and you will find yourself turning out interesting and readable copy that sells.
Do you need help to jump start your writing career? Click on http://www.retirement-writing.com/writing.aspx Read the articles and scroll through the web site of writing consultant and author Charles Jacobs. Read his latest book “The Writer Within You.” It’s a Best Books of 2007 honoree, a 5-star choice on Amazon and B&N and a featured selection of the Writer’s Digest Book Club. “The Writer Within You” is available at booksellers on and offline. Detailed info on the book and how you can order it at a substantial discount can be found by clicking on http://www.retirement-writing.com/writing.aspx
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