Juciy

If you’ve read just read “Just Say Yes” then you know I support writing regularly. But what about? If you’re sick and tired of your book (and if you’ve been writing faithfully then you will be soon) then just write about life. About unloading the dishwasher. Turn that into a horror about being attacked by knives. A mystery as to who is stealing your silver. Or write about some idea you had/have that isn’t substantial enough to actually be written out in NIP form. Recall some random dialog you overheard in the supermarket and turn it into a scene. I’ve found that a great deal of times things like that end up in my manuscripts. (Except for the knives attacking me.) This is also great for people who really want to write but don’t have much to go on. It encourages you to write and gives you ideas, getting that creative juice flowing.

To get you started, write a scene with no more than 3 adverbs on this topic:

A young boy has tried repeatedly to fly a kite his whole life, but never succeeded. Then, one afternoon, his father who abandoned him comes back and tries to teach him how to fly a kite.

What are some things that you creative juices flowing? And what real life things have ended up in your manuscripts?

NED...is it contagious??

NED. It is a seemingly an innocent name. Au contraire.  NED stands for three of the most horrible syndromes an author can have.

1.) N= No one syndrome.  The No one syndrome is when someone thinks no one at all can write except the already published and successful writers, and even they are pushing it. These people may have great talent, they just have no faith. If you think you have what it takes to write, then try it.  What’s the worst thing that can happen?

2.) E=Everyone  syndrome. It is the exact opposite of N. These people think that everyone who wants to be published can be. That’s not quite true. Writting is a hard business, and not all people have the time, talent, money and skills to do so. Frequently E’s are unable to write, but have unrealistically high expectations. So if you suffer from this, you will suffer in writting, but I assure you it will all be worth in the end.

3.) D=Delayers syndrome. They aren’t pessimistic. They don’t have ridiculously high hopes. So they start prepared...but don’t carry through.  They get to something they don’t like...outlining, tough scenes, difficult character, and suddenly their busy. Their manuscript left under other work...then in a drawer...then they’ve forgotten half of their ideas. Stick through it! Plow through! Make time for your manuscript. It’s your baby, you don’t want to leave your baby whenever you get busy!

Do you notice what is the cure for all NED’s? Writing.