Every writer has his own ways of crafting his imagination into words. Some writers work by creating an outline, while others are more comfortable writing spontaneously as thoughts flow in them.
Before you start writing, you have to know first what creative process works for you. So, my first tip on writing is:
Discover what creative process works for you.
If you are just beginning your writing journey, you may experience various trial-and-error process until you figure out how to really write effectively and efficiently. I cannot give an ultimate ‘how-to-write’ tips that will work for everyone because we are all different. Different in ways, cultures, circumstances, perceptions, inspirations and motivations. But as you start, patience and perseverance have to go along with you because to discover what creative process will work for you takes time, effort and patience as you crap one draft after another draft.
Every error in each trial is not really a waste of time. Trial and error is the each step you take to get where you want to go. In this blog, I will share to you my own creative process in writing my stories, poems and random thoughts. I summarized it into four simple ways.
4 Ways of Creative Process in Writing:
- Receive the inspiration.
- Take notes of the inspiration.
- Sit and write.
- Surrender to the flow of creativity.
- Receive the inspiration.
Inspiration comes in various forms and ways. It is the reason or trigger why you want to share a story or message. For my fiction short stories, most of the time, I receive the inspiration through a vision or actual scenarios that I witness in ordinary days. I call them my ‘expected visitors’ because instinctively, I know that it will come anytime of the day and I have to be ready to receive it. Perhaps, I am attracting it to come.
Remember: You have your unique way to see inspiration. My way of inspiration through visions may not work for you. You have to find out how to manifest your own inspirations.
My short story, Darkness in the Pulpit, started from having no idea of what I should write. But as I set my mind that I need to publish a new story on my website, I kept thinking about it. However, I did not force my mind to come up with a concept or inspiration for a new story. I just consciously put myself into an ‘allowing state’ and trust that the expected visitor will come anytime of the day.
It was near 3 o’clock morning of a Sunday, and yet I could not sleep. At first, I thought it was because of my baby who was fussy that hour. But I knew there was something else — the feeling that someone will knock on our door, a visitor. The inspiration came by showing me a vague vision about ‘good and evil’ and ‘trust and betrayal’ — and this was Darkness in the Pulpit is all about.
To receive the inspiration, you have to learn how to be open and consciously trust that it will come. Give your mind time and space to remind that you have a story to write. It will train your mind to shift quick into your creative writer state.
2. Take notes of the inspiration.
Take notes as soon as ideas, visions and inspirations visit you. It is crucial in any creative process that others often neglect. Even if you feel confident that you will not forget the inspiration, write it down. It will not only secure your visions but it will also help your brain to be on action mode.
When you write down your ideas, your brain will interpret it as something that you need to work on. It will compel you to give time to sit down and write.
3. Sit and write.
Most of beginning writers experience ‘writer’s block’ and once in a while, experienced writers experience it too. To sit and write is the most crucial part of your creative process. This is where the real action and magic happens.
When you are reading a book, it seems easy to write and produce similar works. However, it is only when you write that you will realize that writing is not easy. It takes time, effort and patience until you let those words out on your paper or computer. When you submerge yourself in actual writing, you will see that the blogs and novels you read from other writers are not easy to create.
Actual writing will uncover your blind spot that writing is not easy. Instead, it will test how much passion you have. One of its goals is to boost your will power to write consistently, and as you do, you will notice that writing will become easier day by day. Writing instincts and muscles will strengthen as you practice more often and consistently.
In writing your first draft, expect that it is messy and ugly. Even the most famous writers we know still write an ugly first draft. As you sit and write, leave behind your pride and critical mind. The only thing you need in this creative process is your heart and grit to express what is inside your head and heart.
Do not worry on having a bad draft. There will be a separate time for editing to review and improve your contents, vocabulary and grammar. (I will make a separate post about Editing.)
For now, just sit and write.
4. Surrender to the flow of creativity.
The moment you decide to sit and write even without the whole vision of what is going to happen in your story or content, the act of surrendering to creativity has already started. In order to continue the flow, you have to stop resisting and restricting yourself with doubts and fears. Do not pre-judge your works. Instead, focus on writing the story that you want to share to your readers.
To surrender also means to be authentic in what you write. Write about something that you truly believe in. There is a big difference between writing what you know and writing what you are. To be authentic with your works is all about writing what and who you are. Do not mistaken this from ‘what and who you think you are’ because authentic writing is not portraying something outside of yourself, but merely a projection of who you really are.
I wrote a “Manifesto of a Creative Person” that will help you achieve ease and authenticity before starting any creative work like writing. To read and download the manifesto, click this link - Manifesto of a Creative Person [How to Fight Your Inner Demons]
If You Think You Need Help in Writing — I Conduct Private Writing Coaching Sessions
I know that this post about writing is not enough to fully equip you in your writing journey, but I hope this will help you in some ways on how you can start. I will post more helpful writing tips and examples in the future.
If you wish a more intensive and personal writing coaching sessions with me, send me an email at ctbymadylene@gmail.com. Currently, I have few students that I coach and guide to improve in writing and to push them to finish writing their books. You can also become one of my students if you really desire it. Just send me an email. 🙂
ABOUT THE WRITER:
Madylene Tuazon is a writer and the founder of Creative Thoughts. Her mission in life is to co-create valuable works through writing and encourage creative people to embrace their gifts and share it to the world.
She says, “There is a strong urge from the core of my soul that I have to let my thoughts, wisdom and stories out through a platform that is accessible by people all over the world.”
She is from Manila, Philippines.