Writing Exercise: Organizing Your Writing
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- 5/5/2010 |
- 10:00 am
I know, I know, just the title of this month's writing exercise might make you say "forget it!" But listen, if you really want to become a writer, there are at least a few areas where you need to get your act together. Here's the scoop...
It doesn't have to be a drag. When I wrote the first book in the Galahad series, The Comet's Curse, I did not create an outline before starting the book. About halfway through, however, I sat down and sketched out how the final chapters of the book would play out. It helped a lot.
For the sequel, The Web of Titan, I pretty much created an outline for the whole thing. For the third book, The Cassini Code, I outlined the first two-thirds, then went by feel for the remainder.
The point is, there's no concrete way to do it, but a little organization helps a lot. I've found that even jotting down rough, vague ideas will at least point me in the right direction. During my writing workshops I encourage all young writers to spend a little bit of time considering an overall plan for their story. It will keep your thoughts clear, and allow you to space things out properly within your story. Otherwise you might bunch all of the action in one part, and all of the narrative and back-story in the rest.
For your monthly writing assignment, let's try a story that would really help you with your outlining and organization skills. Most great novels use a classic structure that you can learn from: Introduction and background of characters, drama/conflict, resolution. So, even if it's just a two- or three-page story, let's create a quick drama that allows you to sketch out your idea. Outline an introduction of two characters, then write down an interesting conflict that pits them against each other, followed by a brief sketch of the final resolution.
Now you're ready to write the story. Again, it doesn't have to be long, but this will give you the chance to organize your thoughts and your plot. Then, as your stories become longer and more involved, you'll have some good practice under your belt.
Have fun!
