Don't think - Write.

By cmcpress · Nov 3, 2010 · ·
  1. I hesitated long and hard over the title of this post, mainly because what i wanted to write seemed so ridiculously pretentious that it was unworthy of a first blog post.

    But the sentiment is true. Coming back to writing, after an absence of almost 20 years has made me dream again.

    I first tried to get back into writing about 4 years ago when i had one grand story idea - but i didn't have the mechanics to write it. I wrote one chapter which was very poor indeed. Then I got demotivated and got pulled back into music.

    2 years later i completely rewrote the first chapter. It's artless, but as the start to a story it has dramatic potential. But the characters and the actual plots have been nebulous. I realised i knew nothing of the culture, the people - i couldn't write from my experiences or imagine why the characters do the things they do. I am an inexperienced writer and i have so much to learn.

    Working with audiobooks has kick started my interest in writing - it's how i ended up here. Not because i want to make lots of money or go the publishing route (although i certainly wouldn't say no..) but because i want to learn to write the kinds of stories i would like to read.

    8 weeks ago. The word of Edgar Allen Poe are burning in me from working on an adaption of "Tell Tale Heart." I can feel the rhythms and cadences that Poe uses. How his sentence structure changes to contrast calm civility and madness.

    I've suddenly started to get story ideas. I started writing a short story which blossomed and became more of a novel - i've written into two chapters and parked it because another story came along which seemed to just pour out.

    For the last week i became obsessed with a story
    and have managed to complete the first draft - it's just over 7500 words long - the longest i've written. It seems consistent within itself - a PKDian science fiction tale - split into two halfs.

    But more importantly, even though it's only first draft - it's a complete story with a beginning, a middle and an end.

    I'm sure in time to come i'll look back with embarassment at it's clunky use of metaphor, spelling and grammar - it's 16 years since i last took an english class. I'm sure i'll wince at the terrible dialogue, the hackneyed plot.

    Wheras previously i was agonising over plot points before even touching a pen to the page this has flowed from start to completion naturally.

    I think it was a post that w176 wrote about exploration writing that set me off.

    I may well post it here one day. But only after i've sufficiently revised it to the point that i'm happy for anyone to read it. Then i hope it's subjected to a mauling. Savage me - that's the only way to become a better writer.

    And in that last week i've dreamt more than i have in the last 10 years.

Comments

  1. Taylee91
    This is my motivation to write as well. To write stories that will entertain me.

    Bravo :D I'm beginning to start again myself. And though it's been hard at first, I'm getting there. Slowly but surely. And the great thing is - I'm learning new things every single day that will help my writing efforts in the future.
  2. w176
    I'm so happy to read this. It is big when you get to effect someones creativity. Thanks.

    I would love to read the story when you feel ready to post it.

    And I can also give you a podcasting tip if you want to get some more inspiration about discovery writing. Writing excuses make podcast 15 minutes long about different subjects every week. One of the the three hosts are a discovery writer (Dan, the horror writer) and one is in the middle (Howard the web comic cartoonist) and they got one outliner (Brandon, fantasy writer).

    This is a list of all their podcasts tagged "Discovery writing" http://www.writingexcuses.com/tag/discovery-writing/

    But congratulations on you writing flow!
  3. BeautyQueen
    I am so happy to read this little piece of yours that I am beginning to feel that I too will write a short story or even a novel someday. In my case, I always left behind in starting a story. I usually give a thinking that first I must learn how to write beautifully by searching a good grammar book or to read some books of great authors. But, ultimately, it all remains to thoughts and feelings. But, now I feel that here I will show some guts to put up some of my writings. To start with I am thinking to write some of my experiences or feelings. Thanks to you for motivating my thoughts.
  4. BeautyQueen
    I am very happy to read this writing of yours. You have shown all your guts to find a way to write. Now, I feel that I too have found some guts to write. Thanks for motivating me to write anything.
  5. BeautyQueen
    I am very happy to read this writing of yours. You have shown all your guts to find a way to write. Now, I feel that I too have found some guts to write. Thanks for motivating me to write anything.
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