How I approach creative writing.

Generally I will have an idea floating around in my head for a few weeks before I finally write something down. I take the time to imagine the scene, to picture it vividly in my mind. From here I can finally begin to write something down. 

I start with putting the basics to work: The setting, the characters and the plot. After all of these things have been established it is time to start bringing them to life. 

If you think about all the books you have ever read, what was the style that stood out to you most?  Was it the books that had very little description of scenery and characters and focused more on plot and conversation?  Or, was it the books that bring the scenery to life, explaining every detail of the surroundings so that you could literally picture yourself amongst the characters in the book. And if, and when those books were turned into a movie, everything was exactly as you had imagined because the book was so good at describing it.  Or do you prefer something in between these two extremes?

I am an in between the two extremes person. I like to focus on the plot and characters and season them with descriptions where I feel it is necessary to bring the reader into the scene. (Like when a character is having a memory or a really intense moment in the plot.)  I have read books that went a bit overboard describing every single detail through out the entire book, and personally I found them hard to read. It was too easy to lose track of what was going on because of the descriptions.  I like to leave my reader a little room to imagine on their own.

For example, I wrote a short narrative about the description of my name.  Brook.  While telling the audience about the scenery beside the brook I said that there were flowers.

“Imagine if you will a spring bubbling up from the ground. Because of this source of water the surrounding hills and valleys are green and teaming with lush vegetation. There are many flowers near by. Butterflies float in the breeze flitting from flower to flower, vine to vine searching for the perfect spot to lay their eggs.”

I did not describe how many, what kind or color.  Here the reader is allowed to use their own imagination.  When it comes to an important part of the story, I will describe them in a little more detail.

“Large shade trees spread their branches out like they are opening their arms to the sky and soaking in the rays of the sun. Their roots hungrily soak up the waters that my source, the spring, offers them. Birds and chipmunks chirp and sing in the branches of the many trees that line the banks.”   

Next I type and type until all that is in my head is out. I don’t worry about grammar, spelling, incomplete thoughts or sentences. That is part of the editing process to be done later. Once it is all out I begin the editing process.  I am the first to admit I am a horrible speller! I think that I may be dyslexic. So I really appreciate the grammar and spell checker. After fixing all one million spelling errors I then re read what I have written.  This is the perfect time to check for flow and coherent thought.  Does the story flow smoothly or are there some rough patches that need to be “ironed” out?  Are there places that could use a little more or less description?

Once you have finished the writing and editing process, if you have a friend willing to read, and be that second set of eyes for you (A writing buddy) let them take a look at your work and catch any mistakes you may have missed.  I always miss something. And if you are brave enough, ask them to show you areas that could use a little more clarification or refinement.  If you don’t have a writing buddy, close your document and give yourself a couple of days away from it. After the story is no longer in your head go back to it and re read it as something that you are reading for enjoyment. You can pretend like someone else wrote it.  Does what you wrote make you laugh or smile? Does it bring you to tears?  Are there things that you missed before? This period of separation from my work has been an invaluable process for me.

I have been working on a novel for 13 years. Every time I sit down to work on it I re read the entire story. I find things that don’t fit or are irrelevant to the story line and edit or delete them.  I find myself laughing out loud at things that I have written so many years ago, or crying along with the main character. 

Let your writing move you. In the end, it is for you. And, if someone else happens to enjoy what you have shared with them that is one of the happy side effects of having the mind of a writer.

I hope this helps you find your creativity. Happy writing!