Your own life is the first source of your writing. You gather materials by paying attention to the world around you. Otherwise, you may find yourself ultimately writing stories which are recycled versions of characters, situations and events you have seen on television or read about in other books. Your writing material comes from things you have seen, heard and felt. Daily life surrounds us with a barrage of impressions that may at first seem irrelevant to, or a distraction from writing. Yet, this can be the grit which if panned and sifted, yields the grains of gold which inspire stories.
Becoming a writer will involve changes in the way you approach life and in your attitude to your surroundings and everyday experience. Writing is mind traveling, destination unknown. Make this statement your writing motto, and step into the writing process expecting to surprise yourself with the discoveries you make.
Each of life’s experiences becomes part of what you know, what you think, and what you have to say. Your mind is a storehouse for these past experiences, as well as a creative processor for your thoughts of today and tomorrow.
Writing is the process of capturing those thoughts and experiences on paper. Writing is a backward as well as a forward activity, so don’t expect to move neatly and efficiently through the steps in the writing process.
Mind travelling by its very nature includes detours, wrong turns, and repeat visits.
For one composition, you might search high and low for information. For another, you might do a lot of collecting and reviewing before you begin writing. For yet another, you might be ready to write your first draft almost immediately.
Some writers work more in their heads, while others work more on paper. Some writers need to talk about their writing, while others would rather keep their ideas to themselves.
Your own writing personality will develop as you become more and more experienced. “BE YOURSELF. ABOVE ALL, LET WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOU ARE, WHAT YOU BELIEVE, SHINE THROUGH EVERY SENTENCE YOU WRITE, EVERY PIECE YOU FINISH.” -John Jakes
