10 Secrets to Start Writing
After dedicating over two years to writing, editing and
finishing my Soldier Sons series, I suddenly have free writing time again! I
treat big writing projects like relationships; I choose carefully before
committing (actually, I’m more selective with writing projects than boyfriends)
and I like to have a little fun in between. Like dating, even if you only spend
a few days with one idea, it will help you find the right one.
Boring situation, alternate reality
Stuck in traffic, sitting at the DMV, waiting on the dentist,
even just laying in bed trying to sleep, I like to play a game of What If. What
if you were in the car with your favorite dead poet, taking them around town?
What would they ask? How would you explain? What if it were a DMV for flying
cars or teleportation? How would things be different?
Reinventing a job
Every great writer had a boring day job before they made it.
Is this where they got their inspiration? Maybe. When I was a receptionist, I
used to wonder what would happen if I did the same job, just in a different way
or in a different business. Who would come in if I worked at a lawyer’s office
that represented, say, X-Men mutants?
When I was in college, I, of course, day-dreamed about being in wizarding
college instead.
Follow your dreams
My second book, The King of the Sun, started with a
nightmare that I had. I pictured the murderer from my nightmare and just
started writing. I figured all the information I needed was somewhere in my
subconscious and, oddly, it seemed to work. Maybe that reoccurring dream is a
story begging to be written, or that terrifying nightmare will make you the
next Stephen King.
Rewrite it
Was the last novel you read unsatisfying? Didn’t end (or
begin?) the way you wanted? Or maybe it needs a modern-day reimagining or a new
twist (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies?).
Make your own version of a novel you liked, or didn’t like. One I’ve been
kicking around; assuming the Strange Case
of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde really happened…
Write it
Many movies started from books, but how many movies get made
into books? Or how about video games? Recently playing Dishonored 2, I thought of what a great book this fantasy world and
these assassination
scenarios would make. And what is my beloved Corvo
thinking? He deserves a book for sure.
Play it
My first book started with a lyric from a Nickleback song
(don’t judge me). Today I’m more into EDM, but the music and music videos
continue to inspire me. What do you get from “Every
time we fall to pieces/ we build something new out of the hurt/ And we can
never come back to Earth?” All it takes is one line or even just a feeling to
get going.
Write your show
Write an episode of your favorite show and put yourself in
the head of the bachelor, a CSI technician, The
Voice competitor, Ink Master
tattoo artist, anyone. Follow the traditional script and write a standard
episode or add a twist with a vampire contestant, a reincarnated Jack the
Ripper, a transgender singer, a pot of poisoned ink—realistic, fantastic,
anything in between.
Most wonderful time of the year
Time off work, off school, the holidays give you some time
to write. This often mean too much time with family too, which can be a pain in
the ass. Contention can be a great place to start to write, though. Rewrite
Be amazing
Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were a
genius? Or a billionaire? Or had magic? Or could time travel? How would your
life be different? Would you use your power for good or for ill? Would your friends
treat your differently? Your family?
Make your world
Some writers make a story around a plot, others around
characters, others around a world. What would your fantasy or scifi world look
like? Would it be high fantasy or scifi, in a place that isn’t earth and doesn’t
really resemble earth? Or low fantasy/scifi, in an earth-like place with a few
key differences, like a world with mole-people or a world without oceans.
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