A brand-new writer, let’s call her Tireda Waitin, (corny, huh?) sits down at the kitchen table. Our brave writer cracks open her laptop. She’s by the window with the sunlight streaming in as if to bless her decision to finally breathe life into that idea she’s cradled and hidden away from the world for so long. Some people are plotters and some are ‘pantsers’ (as in writes by the seat of his/her pants), but that’s a topic for a different blog. Tireda is a ‘pantser’, and she writes devotedly for months. At times, she feels overwhelmed because her story is not turning out like she thought it would, but Tireda presses on and finishes her first draft.
She’s so proud and excited that she talks her mother and her boyfriend into reading her story. They say it’s nice and give her some valuable feedback, but her work doesn’t deliver the reaction she’d hoped for. Tireda sets aside her proud mama, rose colored glasses and rereads her work with a very critical eye. Horrified, she discovers that it’s not near the level she wants. In fact, it’s pretty awful.
Tireda decides she just doesn’t have what it takes to be a writer. She considers trashing her work, but believes so strongly in her story that she just can’t bring herself to do it. Defeated, she curls up on her couch with a blanket and a comforting beverage to binge watch Game of Thrones episodes through her disillusioned tears.
I’m being a little melodramatic, but this is pretty close to how my journey into writing began. Before we get started, let me say that ALL first drafts suck. E-V-E-R-Y one of them. But within that steaming hot mess are some good building blocks.
Author Walter Kirn states that, “At the beginning of a novel a writer needs confidence, but after that what’s required is persistence. These traits sound similar. They aren’t. Confidence is what politicians, seducers, and currency speculators have, but persistence is the quality found in termites. It’s the blind drive to keep working.” I love this quote although, I never thought a termite would have me feeling some type of way*.
Persistence is the act of continuing steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like especially in spite of opposition. Most new writers have the desire to be persistent, but don’t know what to do when faced with opposition.
By opposition I mean when the plot breaks down for no apparent reason. Or your action/chase scene has all the excitement of a lullaby. Or your main character’s dialogue with her love interest has the feel of a conversation with Grandma about her yeast infection. Cue cringing! These things happen- not the Grandma thing, but the other stuff. We’ve all been there, but if you’re a new writer this is when feelings of doubt and despair can overwhelm you. Don’t give up.
“But,” you say, “I don’t know how to fix it, if I knew how to fix it I wouldn’t be feeling all frustrated, overwhelmed and lost. (Dejected emoji face) I should just quit.” Before you start tweeting out what a miserable failure you are – which you are not- try this.
Writing is hard work so, take a deep breath, do a little stretching, and air out your frustrations to a supportive friend or family member. Then comeback and re-read the section that isn’t working. Look for element(s) that are broken or not delivering: dialogue, plot/structure, setting, lack of tension, or character development. Figure out what’s standing in the way of your wonderful story. If you’re having trouble, try taking a break for a few days. Some distance might be just what you need.
Once you have identified the problem, it’s time to become a self-directed learner. According to Manning, self-directed learning is the “process by which individuals take the initiative without the help of others in diagnosing their own learning needs, formulating goals, identifying human and material resources and evaluating learning outcomes.”
And I hear crickets. Allow me to rephrase. Self-directed learners pull up their big girl/boy panties, figure out what they don’t know, find the information they need, seek out help when needed, then apply their newfound knowledge and repeat as needed.
We live in the golden age of information. It’s literally at our fingertips 24-7. Access it. Devour blogs, articles and books on writing. Look at your favorite author’s works and see how they deliver those elements. If you aren’t sure what you need, cast a wide net.
Start with the basics, showing vs. telling, scene, structure, setting, pacing, plotting, character development, dialogue, etc. Then move on to tension, emotions, subplots- whatever you feel needs strengthening- then apply that knowledge to your work. If it’s still not quite what you want, keep studying and practicing. Maybe consider finding a mentor, joining a writing group or hiring a writing coach.
There is no formula to writing and advice on the craft is abundant and can be contradictory and confusing. Your goal should always be to learn what works for you as a writer and for your genre. Self-directed learning is both deliberate and voluntary and is how successful writers are made. So, get started. Obstacles don’t mean you can’t, they just mean not yet. Now, go be brilliant!
Did you find this post helpful? Would you like to learn more? Check out Harvey Deutchendorf's 7 Habits of Highly Persistent People (it's where I found that wonderful Walter Kirn quote).
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About the author: Melisa Hightower is a counselor, author and former educator. For more information click on the Bio Tab.
* Some type of way- slang meaning I’m unable to express the complexity of my emotions at this time. Can be used seriously or in jest. Source- Urban Dictionary.
Works Cited:
MANNING, Geri. "Self Directed Learning: A Key Component of Adult Learning
Theory. Journal of the Washington Institute of China Studies, [S.I.], v. 2, n. 2,
p. 104. June. 2007. ISSN 2373 0005. Available at:
<https://www.bpastudies/article/view/38/78>. Date accessed 23 July. 2017