What Are You Trying To Accomplish?
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- 10/3/2009 |
- 10:00 am
I know this sounds obvious - and perhaps it is - but when you sit down to write, have you given enough thought to what your ultimate goal might be? Trust me, it can make a world of difference in your writing. Here's what I'm talking about...
Many times we sit down to write something (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, etc.) without first deciding what we're trying to accomplish. I'm not talking about accomplishing x number of words, or finishing by lunchtime. I mean, what is the goal of that particular piece? Are you trying to write a funny story that shows how people change over time? Are you trying to write an educational article that gives us a better understanding of the adoption process? Are you hoping to pen a spooky short story using the same style as Edgar Allan Poe? (See the October writing exercise for a scary suggestion!)
If you haven't scribbled a very brief summary of your goal, then you might find yourself wandering around on the page. When I set out to write The Comet's Curse, I had one particular goal in mind: Write an action/adventure tale that showed young adults at their best, on their own with no adults around. That was the basic plan. Later I added one or two other descriptions, such as "include a healthy amount of humor to break up the action and mystery." Then, I was off and running.
Regardless of your genre, writing a quick mission statement makes a lot of sense. Know what you're trying to accomplish, then work to make it happen. Happy writing!
