The Writer's Connection, ^SM
a publication of The Virtual Writing Coach ^SM

"The Creative Process of Writing is a
Liberating and Therapeutic Experience"
 
www.virtualwritingcoach.com

June 2004
 
In This Issue:
 
1. Preview

1. Preview
 
The Writer's Connection ^SM explores the creative process of writing and the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and actions. We are an interactive community of authors and readers who share ideas to enhance our knowledge, skills, and experiences in writing fiction in any genre, but our emphasis remains mystery and suspense thrillers.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers writing tips for authors, coaching suggestions, editing, and marketing information.
 
Topics are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton and represent only his ideas on producing your first manuscript, and are provided to the general public. Because we are an interactive community of writers, other viewpoints are welcomed and may be printed in future monthly newsletters with permission from Keith Barton.
2. Publisher's Note
 
June, 2004
 
Dear Writer's Connection ^SM Subscriber,
 
This month features advice for overcoming writer's block.
 
3. Writer's Block
 
Have you ever found yourself looking at a blank screen? Chances are, if you're a writer, this nemesis is part of the trade. Jack Heffron has authored a great book, published by Writer's Digest Books, 2003, entitled The Writer's Idea Workshop: How to make your good ideas great. He has some excellent ideas about developing your ideas which I think apply to writer's block. Here are a few of his suggestions:
 
1) Put your ideas on paper; don't worry about grammar. I typically keep a folder for new book ideas that I might glean from my everyday observations of people, travels, news media, etc. Don't worry about you can create a short story or novel at this point. The important aspect is to write it down before your idea becomes buried in your subconscious;
 
2) Change the time you write which might give you a different perspective. If you're creating a romantic mood, then you might write a night with some soft music playing in the background; if you're planning your next sudden explosive scene for a mystery thriller, then you might try writing early in the morning.
 
3) Look at life as a story; take in all information from visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory. Be a people watcher to create your characters for your stories. Remember that fiction is nothing more than exaggerated truth and there are endless stories to write about.
 
4) Use your own life experiences as a lens to let the reader in and see who you are as a writer. This is referred to in the literature as "voice." Each writer should have his/her own voice as each of us is unique and respond differently to the same eventse.g. the 9-11 experience and its effects on our lives.
 
5) Make a list of your all-time favorite list of memories and write a short story about each
 
6) Become a director of a movie set and pretend you're crafting the next scene. Before "light's, camera, action" set up your plot, storyboard, character development, timelines.
 
7) Read, read, and read again. Steven King said it best that "to become a good writer and to write and read a lot."
 
8) do not judge what's going on around you (unless you're writing an editorial); remain distant from your writing; don't become too involved or invested in your story because to do so might diminish your objectivity and credibility
 
9) Be childlike in your view of the world; the wonder and excitement will become evident as you're writing your next scene or story.
 
10) Finally, and most importantly, be passionate about your subject matter. If you're not excited about what you're writing, neither will your readers.
 
I hope the above hints will work to cure writer's block if and when you encounter this necessary part of writing. Remember that only you can create your stories because they are a part of you. Don't try to copy or mimic others. Editors and agents already see too much of this and that's why the rejection letters pile up. Stay the course and believe in yourself and your writing. The craft can be honed later with study and classes. But before you fine tune your craft, you must start with an idea. The idea is the kernel of truth that separates the good writers from the mediocre ones. 
 

4. Getting into Action
 
"Getting in to Action" is a monthly feature of The Writer's Connection ^SM. In this section of our Newsletter, we will discuss action steps the writer can take to improved his/her knowledge base in writing novels.
 
This month's recommendations:
 

 

1. Read Jack Heffron's book on The Writer's Idea Workshop.
2. Writer a short story about a significant event in your past and how it changed your life.
3. Always carry paper and pen with you to jot down ideas as you go about your day.

 

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