The Writer’s Mind
I’ve always felt that writers aren’t smarter or more creative than non-writers. I think the difference between a writer and a non-writer is that a writer doesn’t have enough sense to know this should be difficult. Writing and creativity are products of the mind- not extraordinary minds- every mind. You can also tap [...]
Written on September 2nd, 2009
Read more articles on Become a writer.
The Writer’s Mind
I’ve always felt that writers aren’t smarter or more creative than non-writers. I think the difference between a writer and a non-writer is that a writer doesn’t have enough sense to know this should be difficult. Writing and creativity are products of the mind- not extraordinary minds- every mind. You can also tap into this creative power by learning a few simple tricks.
Recognize that your brain is awesome, but it has limits. It has a difficult time changing gears from one mode of thinking to another. Remember trying to get through math class right after lunch? Your mind was focused on the social realm and until it completed the transition, math was unnaturally difficult. The same is true for creativity. Learn the creative modes and keep them away from each other. Never try to do two of these at the same time. Each has it’s own place. Here are the modes:
Creative Freestyle- If you”ve ever sat down and scribbled out a great poem without much thinking, this is the mode you were in. This is also the mode youre in when youre in “the zone.” When youre actually entering the prose and your mind opens like a floodgate- that’s the freestyle creative mode. In this mode there is no logic and no criticism. If youre thinking critically or in logical, sequential terms- then youll and hamper your creativity.
Logical Freestyle- This is the plotting and outlining mode. You should be thinking in practical terms here. Times, dates, events, orders, locations. This is the mode of structure and planning. It is creative, but only in the sense that you creatively organize. Criticism is still out, and if you find yourself immersed in creative thought thats not related to logical planning- you’re in the wrong zone.
Logical Formal- In this mode your creativity is turned off almost entirely. Youre thinking like a mathematician now. Outline and plot your writing, but only to enhance the structure- no new ideas here- just organizing. Think of this as the finial edit of your plan or outline. No major creative changes- just focus on the plot or outline itself.
Critical Freestyle- Get out your red pen and mark up your manuscript. Be merciless- let all of that self criticism and doubt flood onto the page in red ink. When you feel yourself arguing against an edit- ignore it. This mode is for criticism only. Criticism can be general or specific. You could mark up your comma usage, or you could make a note that this portion of the story is weak. Don”t think of solutions- not now. Just criticism.
Critical Formal- Go over your marks and look for technical reasons why the writing is not working. Write some suggestions for improvement, but not in a originally creative sense. For example, instead of thinking of a million ways to make the reader more sympathetic to your character, you would write, “Writing in this passage is weak. Lack of reader sympathy for character. Find way to increase sympathy.” If you were to go beyond that and start thinking of creative ways to do that- you’re in trouble. Wait, be patient.
Always know what mode you need to be in. Keep each mode separate, and you’ll find writing is easier and more enjoyable.
Jeff Heisler is a freelance writer and novelist. You can read more of his writing and visit his collection of writer’s resources at http:\www.heislerink.comwriteaway.htm
WEEDING OUT YOUR WRITINGArleen M. Kaptur
Weeding Out Your Writing
An accepted fact with any garden is that there will be weeds. Some have a lot and some have a few. However many there are, one thing is for certain. People pull them out, and throw them away. Weeds drain needed moisture and strength from the plants that will produce the harvest we are expecting. But weeds do have a purpose, and a very important one at that. Sometimes its the weeds that give the gardener the incentive to go out to the garden and tend to his plants. The plants, in turn, get the needed attention they deserve and they grow better and produce more. So, weeds are not all that bad!
When we write, we plant the seeds of ideas in articles, stories, and other written material. They begin to grow with embellishment such as descriptive language, conversation, and subplots. Many times we sit back to admire our handiwork and lo and behold! there are weeds. Spell check was having a bad day, or your embellishments describe a glacier instead of a small mountain stream. Its time to get out there and weed. Maybe the conversations are too long and there are too many unfamiliar phrases that are only understood by those in certain parts of the country. One thing to remember is that your book or article may be read by people all over the world. If you use local language, it may take some readers a bit to figure it out. As for descriptive phrases, they must be kept in perspective. A wild, ferocious, angry puma is by no means in the same class as that nasty neighborhood cat that claws your screens and climbs your trees. Of course, he/she may appreciate the build-up but your readers might get the wrong impression. Or, on another note, maybe this cat is a supercat with super powers and therefore the description is right. Only you the writer can make that call!
Weeding is a great pastime. Its a bit of a break from intensive writing, so that you can
absorb, digest, and relax. In reality, its reading your written material as a reader, not a writer. The weeds that writers grow can prove to be pretty stubborn hindrances. They pop up whenever and wherever they choose. They could be our favorite or pet words that are used too often, or they could be a private belief that we inadvertently add to everything we write. So, writers have to weed just like gardeners. The only difference is that we sometimes plant the weeds ourselves. Somehow they didnt seem like weeds when we chose them.
Whatever you write will never be harmed by some careful weeding activity. But be gentle, because sometimes when you pull that weed, your own feelings feel the tug.
Of course, we all put a little bit of ourselves into everything we write, and thats good. Its when we add just a tad too much that our final product suffers. So, pull those weeds, take care not to disrupt the good plants, and the harvest will amaze you.
Happy weeding!
ENJOY !
Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 June
Arleen Kaptur has written numerous articles, cookbooks, motivational booklets, and the novel: Searching For Austin James
Websites:
http://www.arleenssite.com
http://www.Arleens-RusticLiving.com
http://www.webpawner.com/users/rusticliving
http://topica.com/lists/simpleliving
Written on September 2nd, 2009
Read more articles on Become a writer.