 For Authors: March 04, 2015 Issue [#6854] |
  For Authors
This week: What if ... Edited by: Vivian  
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Someone asked me how I get ideas for plot, characters, and other components of writing. I've been asked what I do when the ideas don't come, when I don't feel like writing, if I'm overwhelmed with life's problems, when I'm ill.
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What If ...
What if ... I need a good plot? I listen to the news, watch shows on TV, read the newspaper. An idea catches my attention, and I think, "What if ..." With my imagination, I discover an idea for a story, whether a short story, a poem, or a novel.
What if ... I want interesting and "real" characters? I keep a notebook where I jot down interesting characteristics I see watching and listening to people around me. Then I ask myself, "What if ..." and my imagination kicks in. If people find something in my writing that sounds familiar, it may be something they said or did and I saw or overheard.
What if ... I don't know which direction to go with a plot or what to write next? Again, I ask myself several "What if's" questions. What if the character decides to take another track? What if the storyline goes in some different and unexpected direction? Many times the ideas are so outlandish and ridiculous that my mind begins to work as it should, and the words flow again.
What if ... I'm ill; I'm overwhelmed with life's problems. I may not be able to work on a work in progress, but I have to write something. I may write a poem because poetry is my therapy. I may write a newsletter or blog entry. I may write in my journal, pouring out whatever is on my heart and mind.
The only "what if" I can't answer is what if I am not able to write due to physical or mental impairment? That is one question for which I have no answer, and I hope I never will need to answer. |
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Words from Our Readers
In February I wrote about working through pain. The following comments concern that article.
StephBee 
Vivian, when I saw I thought of carpal tunnel or tennis elbow. Both are common to writers, and I see it often here at the dispatch center. I can definitely see where carpal tunnel might cause a writer to struggle. Great newsletter and great tips to become creative when struggling.
River 
1. Relax the body. Oh, that sounds heavenly. Someone massaging the bottom of my feet... Sigh.
Tienny 
Thank you for your tips. Staying in the dark room helps and even to talk to a friend.
Turkey DrumStik 
Yes, I'm back with comments.  Your writing through pain metaphorically hit a nerve, as I've dealt with two different hand injuries over the last couple years. As someone who still prefers to hand write a draft or two, this has not been the most pleasant thing to wrangle, especially since injuries tend to increase my desire to write in some capacity. The first injury was a sprain in my left index finger, which was a mild annoyance since I needed to keep my hand elevated. Writing wasn't good for that, but photography was. So I took pictures, and it helped that at the time I got a new camera waiting for me to try things out. The second injury was a bit more serious. I sprained my right wrist in a bad car accident. It was the kind where Lady Luck is the reason my injuries weren't any worse. Bruising dominated my right hand for a week, a problem since I'm right handed. It also delayed the diagnosis of the sprain and the therapy needed to help me recover. Even filling in medical forms was painful. Since taking pictures didn't put as much strain on the TFCC as writing does, I worked on that more. I'm getting back into writing more as I regain flexibility in my hand, and I'm feeling stronger about it. Point is, sometimes a different creative activity can help break physical and mental blocks in writing by breaking some of the fatigue that comes from worrying about illness and being physically idle at the same time.
Good idea, Elisa.
monty31802
I am still reading even when I don't send a comment. Here I have to say great advice given.
An apple a day.... 
Hi Vivian, Yes, when I write I move outside myself and into what I am writing. It has saved me many times.  ...Connie
Thank you, everyone, for your comments.
I hope everyone is safe and warm if storms are piling cold and snow on you, like Mother Nature is on my part of the world.
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