So fast, my current WIP (work in progress) has come to a standstill. Sigh.

I’ve had some frustrating times lately with family and community responsibilities interrupting my writing time. It happens every now and then and I know I should just accept these times and not get too frustrated with them.

Going nowhere fast

Trouble is, I’ve allowed the recent events to grind my WIP  to a complete halt. It’s going nowhere fast. I haven’t looked at it for nearly a fortnight. One thing I’ve found in recent years is that momentum can often be a very great friend. Once I get on a roll with a particular writing project – be it a novel, short story, article, whatever – the momentum created tends to be self generating. Momentum creates more momentum and I get to the point where it is like an unstoppable train, steaming along seemingly under its own power, carrying me along for one exhilarating ride. When that happens I can be very productive, sometimes writing 3000+ words in a day. About 700 words is  my normal average.

Slow and steady wins the race

Sadly, the opposite is also true. When  I don’t have any momentum because of illness, distractions, family or other responsibilities etc, getting up a head of steam to get moving again takes so much effort. Starting all over almost seems too hard and I can easily give up. The secret is to not stop. It is easier to keep a train moving slowly than to start from a stopped position. It is easier to keep going with a story every day – even if it is only a few words or for twenty minutes or so – than to leave it completely for weeks and then have to start all over again.

I should stop this now and get back to that novel.

It’s not going to finish itself.

Good writing.

The article “On walking and writing” is well worth reading.

Then go out and take a walk.

I would – but I’m writing this post late at night!

Good writing – and walking.

I rarely have this problem. In fact, I usually have far too many things to write about. My problem is choosing which one to write about first.

There are hidden treasures lurking everywhere. You just have to open your eyes to see the possibilities for writing that can crowd in upon you every day.

Start with everyday objects and let your imagination soar:

1. Make a list of twenty (or 50 or…) objects in your bedroom. Now think about one object and how it came into your life. Change this to a really bizarre story. For example, the photo on the dresser is not your mother; it is the photo of a distant relative who was married to a famous explorer or an infamous mass murderer.
2. Describe three objects in the room where you are sitting now. Now pick just one of them and imagine you dug it up in the garden. How did it get into your garden, and how is it now influencing your life?
3. Look in the refrigerator.  Take note of one thing and write about how it came to be there. Give it a life of its own, telling the story of it existence in its own voice.
4. Go outside and sit in the garden. Write about the one thing in your garden you really like (or absolutely detest). Write a conversation (or argument) between you and the object.
5. Walk to the nearest park with notebook and pencil. Describe one person you passed on the way. Note how they are dressed – and change their attire into something very usual, like a grandma wearing pirate clothing. Use you imagination and let her sit with you to tell her story.
6. Visit your nearest shopping center with a notebook and pen and find a seat. Pick out two people in the crowd. Try to imagine what they are saying. Give them new lives, new identities. Let them tell you their story.
7. Find an old  magazine or newspaper and open it at random, picking out a photo at random. Use the photo as a starting point to your story. For example, if it is a photo of a young man advertising deodorant, imagine him doing something adventurous, or heroic or courageous. Bring the photo – and the subject – to life.

Story ideas are lurking everywhere; you just have to have eyes to see them.

Good writing.

]]> http://www.trevorhampel.com/writing-about-hidden-treasures/feed/ 0 http://www.trevorhampel.com/write-the-best-you-can/ http://www.trevorhampel.com/write-the-best-you-can/#comments Sun, 04 Apr 2010 22:30:26 +0000 Trevor http://www.trevorhampel.com/?p=1710 Today’s quote:

“I have tried simply to write the best I can; sometimes I have good luck and write better than I can.” Ernest Hemingway.

I guess countless writers would like to write as well as Hemingway.  Many have tried, few have succeeded.

In any endeavour this is an excellent maxim on which to base one’s activities. Always strive to do your best,  sometimes you will surprise even yourself.

I guess one could also say that sometimes we get lucky and write really well. I would contend, however, that if we continue to strive to be better writers, and constantly and consistently persist at the craft, that we will improve. I know I have and my readers tell me so. My most demanding reader and critic is my wife; she tells me that I’ve improved out of sight in the last few years. That is encouraging, and it helps me to keep going – and keep improving.

Good writing.

“I would love to write a book, but unfortunately, I don’t have a pen.” (Unknown source – it came to me from a Facebook friend)

We might laugh at a saying like this, but for some people, any simple excuse is enough to stop them from writing. Some common excuses are:

• I don’t have enough time.
• The timing is wrong – I’ll wait until I retire.
• I don’t have a good computer.
• I don’t know what to write about.
• I’m too busy.
• I’m too tired after a day at work.
• I have nowhere where I can write.
• I don’t have a pen.

You get the drift?

Excuses. Excuses. Excuses.

If you want to write a book, you actually have to start putting words down on paper – or at least in the hard-drive of your computer. There is no other way. Books will not write themselves. (Someone reading this in my archives in 50 years time might be able to argue that point, but I won’t be around to defend myself.)

So you want to write a book?

Good. Now stop reading this – and start writing (but don’t forget to come back here tomorrow; I’ll be waiting for you).

Good writing.

Related articles:

• Writing a novel – articles outlining how I went about writing a novel.
• A writer’s virtues: patience and persistence

]]> http://www.trevorhampel.com/i-would-love-to-write-a-book/feed/ 4 http://www.trevorhampel.com/writers-block/ http://www.trevorhampel.com/writers-block/#comments Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:28:53 +0000 Trevor http://www.trevorhampel.com/?p=1503 I’m struggling to write.

Now this is a common problem experienced by most writers. Over the last three months I have had many distractions which have kept me from the key board.

• Things like going away for several short holidays with family.
• Things like spending wonderful time with my grandson – and his parents.
• Things like catching up with family over Christmas.
• Things like celebrating my wife’s birthday with friends – it was one of the big one! (Ssssh – I won’t mention her age)
• Things like getting jobs done around the house that had been studiously ignored during the year.

Probably the most concerning, however, has been a deterioration of my health. Several things have made concentrating on my writing very difficult. This is where persistence comes into play. Over the last few days I’ve gradually pushed through the disappointments and difficulties and persisted with my writing. Sometimes it has been easy, sometimes very challenging.

As I see it now, my priority over the coming months will be to keep on steadily writing while being careful to pace myself and care for my health.

Good writing.

]]> http://www.trevorhampel.com/writers-block/feed/ 0 http://www.trevorhampel.com/writing-a-novel-a-writers-journal-part-11-plot/ http://www.trevorhampel.com/writing-a-novel-a-writers-journal-part-11-plot/#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:37:37 +0000 Trevor http://www.trevorhampel.com/?p=1188 Where is my story going? Some thoughts about plot

A few nights ago I had a restless time in the early hours of the morning. I had been working hard on my children’s novel. I had written 400 words in the hour or so before retiring. This had drained me emotionally and mentally. I took a while to go to sleep; the mind was too active. Several hours later I more or less woke up knowing why I had been struggling with the story.

The story was going nowhere.

Sure-I had a vague idea of some of the plot. I knew the major events that I wanted to incorporate. I roughly knew where it was going and how it would finish. I just basically didn’t know how to get there.

In a flash of inspiration-despite the fog of being only half awake-I knew what the problem was. I hadn’t asked the protagonist some fundamental questions. (Hint from one of my lecturers: if you don’t know where to go next, ‘interview’ your protagonist. Thanks, Claire)

I needed to know the following:

• What does my character need or want above all else?
• What worries my main character? What is he afraid of?
• What or who is stopping my character getting what he wants?
• How will he overcome these obstacles and who can help him?

Once I had a clear understanding of the answers to these questions, plot ideas started to suggest themselves and the story became alive. The main character started to take over and I just had to take a back seat and let him drive the story. It’s exciting when that happens.

Plotters and Pantsers

Writers tend to fall into one of two camps, plotters and pantsers.

Plotters are meticulous planners. Plotters have an idea for a story and then plan, plan, plan. The read and research their theme and topic and revel in their discoveries. They draw up story boards and plan extensive character studies. They fill note books and sticky labels with all kinds of detail. For some of them, the research and planning is far more exciting and satisfying than the actual writing. I would imagine that crime writers in particular need this approach, or there will be too many loose ends at the end of the story. A very real danger in this approach, however, is drowning in a whirlpool of information.

Pantsers are almost the complete opposite. They have a great idea and rush to their keyboard and start typing, often with little regard for planning and really just writing by the seat of their pants-hence the name ‘pantsers’. Plot? What plot? Oh-that will take care of itself as I go along. The big problem with this approach is the brick wall that the writer rushes headlong into after three or four chapters. After the initial flurry of enthusiasm and inspiration, the writer suddenly comes to a screeching halt in front of that wall-what happens next? Often they have no idea where to go with the story. They don’t have a plan. There is no plot.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. I tend to be a ‘pantser’, especially with short story writing. With the shortened forms of fiction writing one can afford this luxury. With novels it is crucial to spend more time planning, researching, plotting and doing character outlines and so on. With my current novel I am trying to do more planning and plotting as I can see the benefits of doing so. It doesn’t come easily but I’m trying.

For a good discussion on the pros and cons of these two approaches see:

• Plotter vs Pantsers: How to make sure writer’s block doesn’t kill your dream

For more articles in this series go to Writing a Novel – a writer’s journal.

Good writing

Now – there’s a thought! Wouldn’t it be ‘luvverly’  if you woke up each morning and the writing pixies had been busy all night on your keyboard?  Sure to be nothing but fairy tales though.

Say – there’s another story idea – WHAT IF you wrote a story about pixies writing your story while you slept?

See – I’m full of ideas!

And pleeeeze – do not say I’m off with the pixies! That would be fairy insulting and damaging to my elf-esteem.

(Picks up large jar full of tablets. Looks at clock. Yes – time for my medication.)

Seriously folks – there will be times when you’ve been working hard on a story and you get blocked, or tired or just cannot see where to go next. In those situations it might be better to quit writing, get some good sleep and let your sub-conscious take over for a few hours. Then you can come back to the writing with fresh eyes, and a refreshed mind. Might just work wonders.

Good writing.

Whatever the situation, writers are left without ideas. This is where my very popular short story starters can help. Then we have this series of writing prompts to get you out of those writing ruts. Today I present the latest list of writing prompts.

Use these as writing warm up activities. Use them as jumping off points for stories, or magazine articles or even blog posts. Use them however you wish.

Twenty Writing Prompts

1. Write about a career you have always dreamed about.
2. Write a conversation between a cow and a blade of grass.
3. What is your favourite household appliance? Write about its life from the point of view of the appliance.
4. If you had a choice, where would you live and why?
5. Write a list of ten things you would never write about.
6. Write a list of menu items you would offer to an enemy who came into your restaurant.
7. Choose an item in the room. Describe it without saying what it is and from the object’s point of view.
8. Make a list of the ten greatest inventions ever.
9. Write five things you would never tell your children – or your parents.
10. You are alone in the house. Your cat/dog starts talking to you. Record your conversation.
11. Choose a colour. Write about how it would feel if everything in the world was that colour.
12. A stranger approaches you in an airport and asks for a thousand dollars. Record your conversation.
13. Describe boredom. Make your description exciting.
14. Assume that more ice creams are sold on Tuesdays. Write a short report on why this is so.
15. Take on the role of your editor. Write the most devastating rejection letter you can imagine.
16. What would you do if you could live for a thousand years? describe your life.
17. Make a list of ten things that the world would be better off without. (“Things” – not people!)
18. Describe the best party ever. Who would you invite? Where would you hold it? What would you have to eat?
19. Describe what you would do if you found an elephant in your garden.
20. Write down your thoughts about the most controversial current news item.

Further reading:

• Writing prompts – more in this series.
• Short story starters – heaps of ideas for getting that story started.

Nothing.

It’s a frustrating feeling, knowing that you have to get a story written in the next two days and off to meet the magazine deadline or competition due date, but you have no ideas. The sinking feeling in the stomach makes the sinking of the Titanic seem like a hole ridden rubber duck in bath tub.

Sound familiar?

It’s a common feeling with too many writers. That’s where I come in. My most popular posts on this blog by far are the series I’ve called Short Story Starters. This is how it works: I give the first line or sentence or two of a story – you use that to get you started and before you know it, you have 200, 500 or even a thousand words and it’s taking over. Wonderful. Problem solved. Use any of the ideas here, adapt them to your own ideas, style, voice – whatever.

Short Story Starters

1. “I’ve seen that face before.” Ken stared at the photo, trying to remember. That’s the thug who…
2. Loretta knew she had one chance left. The butterflies were already dancing and the stomach churning threatened a further disaster of epic proportions. She gripped the pole tighter and…
3. In the fog of trying to wake up Mickey was aware of someone else in his room. He tried to sit up but….
4. ‘Neil? Are you there Neil?’ The voice was persistent and tinged with anxiety. ‘Are you in there?’ The knocking grew louder and Neil knew he had to respond, somehow. He….
5. Paula had finished. With a smile of satisfaction she lightly brushed across her mouth with the back of her hand. ‘That was…
6. The setting sun lit the vineyards stretched out across the valley. Rob watched as the golden glow deepened. He reached for…
7. Susan hesitated. The door should have been locked. It gently swung open to reveal a…

Over to you. Time to get writing.

Good writing.

Conditions of use:

• Feel free to use any of the story starters listed above. Change anything to suit your needs.
• Give it your best shot.
• Edit your work carefully before sending it off to a publisher or posting it on your blog.
• Let me know in the comments section how it went.
• If you publish your story on your web site or on your blog let me know so I can make a link to it for others to read.