Writing can be like running, in order to preform well, we need to learn our limitations. When we walk or run we automatically set our pace, otherwise we tire and ultimately labor. Writing can be very similar in many ways. It is important to gain context, and thus learn the best manner in which to work.
With that said, I'll jump back to the beginning. When starting any project, novel, novella, short story, fiction or non-fiction, you simply need a seed of inspiration. This can be as small as an idea, a character, a scene or even a conversation. Build the first scene around your idea, sculpting the details as they come naturally. It is never a bad thing to pop down to a new page and jump forward, or even start a new document and re-imagine the work you have already completed. You may get far enough into the project and decide that whole chunks of material you have already written doesn't belong. Do yourself a favor and do not delete it. Instead, copy and paste it into a separate document and save it in its own folder. Later on you will be thankful you did.
The more you write, the more ideas you will have. Think of it as the flood gates of a dam, you are the one responsible for the flow, although sometimes you can't shut it off. Inspiration and imagination can be tricky that way. How many nights have I laid in bed trying to fall asleep, yet unable to as the ideas continue to churn and manifest. Consider your earliest writing a wire frame model, it serves the important function of propping up the basis for your story. As you continue to write, ideas should compound or change. If you don't want to jump backwards to change them immediately then log them in a separate file, or buy a notebook and scribe them as notes. The important thing is to get them down, if for no other reason than continuity later on.
If your work drags on in length it is never a bad idea to create a glossary of important terms. The people, places, things and events that are relevant and important to your story. This way, when your are writing a scene involving elements you touched on 200 pages ago you wont have to jump back and scour for the source material. And as I touched on earlier, it will help maintain continuity and make proofreads and edits that much easier.
Visuals are never a bad thing. If you have artistic talent, use it. I believe maps are vital, if only for the writer at times to track and maintain spacial discipline when a story starts to sprawl. Drawings of characters also help seed imagination, and ultimately will allow you to add depth to description within the text. A white board, or cork board is a nice addition, if you have the space. Ideas always allow different perspective when you can write them out. If you involve other people in your writing process this will allow them to consider your ideas, as well as tweak, add to or redirect you to better ones.
Understand the software you are using. Whether Apple or Microsoft, word processors offer a plethora of features that will aid you while you write. Explore the settings, and while most of these programs offer real-time proofing options, few of them are activated right out of the gate. Within Microsoft Word, if you open options and then go to the proofing menu you can activate several useful tools. You can set the program to check for passive voice, relative clauses, possessives, cliches, contractions and many more. Although I will say that if you have the software checking for too much while you write, it can muddy up the experience a bit, so start out with a few and move on from there.
We don't write 24 hours a day 7 days a week, so try and develop a methodology to your writing. For example, when ever I sit down to write after a break, short or long, I always go back and read the last 2-3 pages I wrote before I stopped. Not only does this help you jump right back into what is happening in the story, but it can also serve to jump start the imagination.
Lastly, I will say this. There is always pressure behind a project, and none so much as that which we apply to ourselves. Because of this pressure we are driven to write, even at times when the creative juices have dried up. Change up the surrounds, get up and walk around or put on some music, but if your not feeling it, don't force it. It is during those difficult periods that more harm can be done than good. I have now gone full circle, and as stated in the first part of the post, learn your limits and tendencies. Figure out what part of the day you are the most creative. What your favorite places are to write, but also how writing affects you. Try 1-2 hour blocks of time first and then take a break. Remember that it is not worth the frustration and negative feelings you can associate towards a project if you force yourself too much. From there, it is your show...good luck and write happy!
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