If you want to write fiction, whether it be short stories, novels or filmscripts or plays, we recommend you start writing by following these three basic rules from Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones:
Keep your pen moving
Capture first thoughts
Let yourself write junk
These deceptively simple rules are designed to help you access the power of your imagination and allow your true creativity to express itself. The one thing that blocks most writers from having access to the power of their imagination is the need to edit and write at the same time.
Writing is a four-part process: planning, writing, re-writing and editing. To write a successful story you need to master all four. However, they are four separate tasks. Mix them at your peril.
As Peter Elbow, author of Writing With Power, says, “The habit of compulsive, premature editing doesn’t just make writing hard. It makes writing dead. Your voice is damped out by all the interruptions, changes, and hesitations between the consciousness and the page.”
The idea is to turn off your internal censor and critic and just let the ideas and stories flow from your imagination. Be open to what comes out.
The Process
Write for ten minutes
Keeping your pen moving and letting your pen do the thinking will cause your conscious mind to make way for your imagination. This will kick in when you least expect it and you will surprise yourself with what comes out of the writing.
The exercises
Try to get into your character’s mind, body and spirit and write the exercises below from their point of view, using the words as a trigger. You can use different characters for different exercises or stick with the same one for all four. It is totally up to you.
Remember when you are writing there is no right or wrong. The only failure if you want to write is not writing.
Exercise 1
Use the phrase, “I remember,” as a trigger to write from your character’s perspective.
Exercise 2
Use the phrase, “I don’t remember,” as a trigger to write from your character’s perspective.
Exercise 3
Use the phrase, “I feel,” as a trigger to write from your character’s perspective.
Exercise 4
Use the phrase, “I don’t think,” as a trigger to write from your character’s perspective.
Roland Fishman created The Writers’ Studio in 1992. The Writers’ Studio runs live courses at their studio in Bronte, Sydney and online courses for all locations. Visit www.writerstudio.com.au for course information.
