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How To Write Articles--Part 1
by Bonnie Eaton
So what's your excuse for not writing articles? Choose the one answer
that fits best. (1) I can't think of anything to write (2) I'm afraid of looking foolish (3) I don't have the time (4) Article-writing is
boring (5) What's the point when John/Jane will do it (6) I have writer's block (7) I don't know how to write an article.
Let's address each excuse and find a solution for each "write" now!
Can't think of anything to write?
(I've
made it easy for you. Humor me and choose one topic from the following list).
- ___ Plot
- ___ Point of View
- ___ Setting
- ___ Foreshadowing
- ___ Character Development
- ___ Using the five senses
- ___ Freewriting
- ___ Showing versus telling
- ___ Conflict
- ___ Screenwriting
- ___ Genre (sci-fi, thriller, romance, etc.)
- ___ Poetry
- ___ Self-publishing
- ___ Oh, you thought of one? Good. Write it here __________________.
Afraid of looking
foolish?
So join the club. You'll never learn any younger.
I started by writing fillers--scared to death they wouldn't be good enough. I still remember the thrill of seeing
those few lines--actually
written by ME--and as I gained confidence, I ventured into longer articles, still feeling unsure but gaining experience.
My long-term
goal was to publish my novel. I encouraged myself on a daily basis by reminding myself I was building clips for the
time I would
publish my own book.
Your exercise for this excuse
The mantra, coined by Jozette
Aaron, and which we both subscribe to faithfully we now pass on to you--our readers. Repeat 3 times in the morning and again at
night. Post the mantra on your bathroom mirror.
Mantra: I am foolish if I don't write.
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Don't have the time? Hmmmm…you'd
be surprised how much writing you can do while the TV commercials are running. Somehow, small blocks of writing free the mind
up like you wouldn't believe. You'll actually write more by writing in small patches of time. Try it. You'll see old Bonnie is right!
Exercise for this excuse
Buy a small
spiral notebook selling for under a dollar in the five and dime store or someplace like Wally world. Something about writing
on the small pages of a 4 X 5 notebook just isn't as intimidating as a large piece of paper or a computer screen. Later, you can
type your writing into the word processor but for now--grab a pen or pencil and write through the commercials. Do not-I
repeat-DO NOT skip one night of doing this exercise. Within 2 nights, at the most, your article WILL BE finished. Then you
can polish your creation and submit it.
So--you think article writing is
boring?
Depends. If you choose a topic dealing with some aspect of writing you are having trouble with, writing
about it helps you understand it so much better. You'll be amazed at how much better you know how to correct the problems
in your own writing by the time the article is finished. It's kind of like taking a bath. You have to get in the water first. Next comes
the scrubbing. When you look at the finished results, you grin and say, "By golly, it sure was worth it."
Exercise for this excuse
Choose a topic from above about
some aspect of writing you DON'T understand and write an article on it. Pick up a good writing book from the library or use one you already have
(all writers have shelves of how-to's, don't they?) My personal favorite is Leonard Bishop's book, Dare To Be A Great Writer.
Another of my favorites is by Ann Hood on Creating Character Emotions.
So why should you bother when John/Jane
will do it?
Most writers have a long-term and a short-term goal. We all want to publish our fiction or nonfiction. While we are waiting for
that to happen, it's a good idea to build clips for the time we do publish and we all are going to publish, right? Good. I'm glad
you agree.
In the short-term, consider this. Your favorite genre is your area of expertise. Who understands it better than you? Share that knowledge. Someone with less experience will be glad you did.
Exercise for the "why bother" excuse
At some point in your
writing career, you will need to research how to approach an editor, select an agent, write a synopsis, query, respond to an
interview, set up book signings. The list is endless.
Start now. By forcing yourself to write the article, you are "priming the
pump" so to speak, for the time you'll need to use the information. Plus you'll be helping others as well. Shoot
for a 300-word article. Together we stand--write?
You have writers block?
Well, now!
Laurie E. Rozakis, Ph.D. gives five reasons in her book, The Complete Idiots Guide To Creative Writing, for writers block: fear
of failure, rejection, success, offending someone, or running out of ideas.
On the other hand, James V. Smith, Jr., author of Fiction Writer's
Brainstormer, believes writer's block has two causes; you are either too lazy to write or
you don't know what you are doing. His suggestion is to plop yourself into a chair and get busy, that writing doesn't just happen.
You have to write on a regular basis. Who can argue with that?
Exercise for the "writer's block" excuse
Freewrite for 30 minutes
every night--write whatever pops into your head. Write from the pain of some childhood event. Write your memories of a
gift you received that didn't cost money but meant the world to you. Write about a nightmare you had. Write about some regret
you felt about an event that still haunts you today. You may find these freewrites will work into the novel or
short story you are writing. Actually, the secret of avoiding writer's block lies in writing on a regular basis every day. Find a way
around it by freewriting.
You don't know how to write
an article?
Just remember you'll never learn any younger. So jump right in. Get your
feet wet. Read Part 2.
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