- Think of something that interests me. If it is a topic that I am passionate about, I will be more motivated to get started. It could be a subject in school or something in life. Maybe it is describing your surroundings. If it is something that you think about all the time, and especially if you have a desire to share it with others, that is a good sign that you are on the right track to writing.
- Break a story into parts and then sub parts. Many times, I can only write one to two pages on a story or topic. It could be that things are jumbled. One of the ways to generate length when I am having trouble with it is to write parts of the story. I can then write sub parts and then more details within these sub parts especially if I am having trouble getting one thousand words in each sub part. It can be an outline, but I am also open to changing this and being flexible when the story goes in that direction. Remember, any outline is to serve you, not for you to serve it.
- Don’t tell. Show. I have been able to write more fluently when I can incorporate a conversation when I want to describe what is going on in the story. Having a few people converse about what is taking place will make a story more concrete for the reader and usually generate more words and get you writing again.
- Tell stories with as much detail as possible. This one is difficult. Using unique descriptive adjectives that are not dull and meaningless is a challenge. One possible way is to look at an object and imagine telling what you see to someone not present in the room. Delve into details that are not obvious, particularly if they are things that might become relevant in a story. Another strategy I picked up from a book on meditation. Look along one side of you (or on all sides for that matter). Study as deeply as you need to. Then close your eyes and try to recall as much of what you saw with as much detail as you can. When you are done, you can open your eyes again and evaluate what you remembered and what you didn’t and also the details you missed and how you might have done better. This will improve your mindfulness and give you practice in concentration. You will also remember what is around you and improve your attention to detail which is useful in improving as a writer.
- Tell new stories that are related to the main story especially if you want or need to expand your book to make it effective. It is like being an artist and creating new scenes to fit together as you piece them together to improve the overall flow of the story.
- Ugh. If nothing else works, just write. I have done this too, especially since in November, NanWriMo challenges people to write about 1666 words per day or 50k words over the whole month. They say it can be a story or it could even be unconnected sentences. The exercise often creates writing fluency which made it easier for me to write longer books. I have gotten to the point where I can write 50k even if not always. However, it is a stretch to get me to get beyond 60k lol.
