So You Want To Write: Where To Start? by Heidi Senesac

The following article first appeared in the Feb issue of the Midwest Romance Writers newsletter, MRW Impressions. It may be used with proper credit to chapter and author. Bloggers may link to the article but not republish it.

I recently gave a friend a clock with a saying on the face: ‘Time is a poorly crafted plot device’. When I first decided I wanted to see a book with my name as author on a library or bookstore shelf I wasn't sure what a plot device was. What else didn’t I know? I knew how to weave a rich story, but doing it was so much more than just putting words on the page. How would I accomplish this? Where did I start?

This same friend also recently defined the difference between a goal and a dream in such succinct terms, I’m sure it will stick with me the rest of my life. A dream is something you have no control over. Being published is a dream or I’d like to be president of…is a dream.  A goal, on the other hand, is something you establish a workable plan to achieve. I’ll write 3000 words each week, or I’ll improve my physical well-being by walking two miles every other day. This made me think about my early goals for my writing.

My first goal was to learn everything I thought I’d need to know to write a truly readable story, one that my book-buying self would be so enchanted with, I’d pull it out every year or so to re-read. I knew how to achieve my education goal. I decided to start with online classes. Many wonderful RWA chapters offer these courses and other resources. But when I started looking into which ones to enroll in, I realized the choices were too diverse. I found myself mired in choice. Should I take a course that would instruct me in the best weapon to create murder and mayhem, or perhaps something on building a believable world through my words?

My over-stimulated brain screeched I needed to identify my weaknesses and prioritize courses to overcome them. Since I was last in school when God was a boy, I decided to start with a refresher course on grammar. Readers are pulled out of a story when you mix tenses or write a sentence fragment. Even when they can’t tell you what is wrong with your paragraph, they’ll know something is.

My second priority--I had to find a class to help me fix my bad habit of ‘head-hopping’. People I trusted to read my work and tell me what needed fixing always, always came back with “I don’t know who was saying or doing the action…” I needed classes on POV.

My chapter mates traded suggestions for classes to take in pursuit of my goals. And they reminded me that all these classes were only good if I used the techniques and knowledge I learned to continue improving my writing. It’s hard for me to not get so wrapped up in building my skills and forsake my purpose, which is to write, so I appreciated their suggestions.

Along the way, I’ve identified issues with my work, and prioritized my education goals. One thing is clear--the process will be ongoing. I’m still in the basic craft classes, but eventually I’ll graduate to agents and editors, business and marketing. I’m thrilled to report that with each educational goal I achieve, I give myself a powerful rush of endorphins as I check it off. And that’s enough to keep me writing.

Heidi Senesac writes contemporary romance as Gemma Brocata. She is the new Vice President in charge of programs for Midwest Romance Authors.

So You Want To Write By Heidi Senesac

The following article was first used in the January 2012 issue of MRW Impressions and may be reprinted by sister RWA chapters with acknowledgement to chapter and author. Bloggers may refer to this article but not republish it. Author Heidi Senesac has graciously allowed us to use it in this blog post.

You’ve tumbled the words around in your head until they’re shiny and smooth, like pebbles fresh from the polishing machine. It’s time. You’re ready to commit to sharing the novel you know you’re capable of writing with the world. But you’re left with questions. Like, where do you start?

Maybe you’ve already joined a writers group. Or, you’ve starting taking online courses. And you’ve noticed there are hundreds of writing tricks or techniques. You have friends who plot every moment of the novel. For every goal, there is an equal and opposite conflict or motivation. Others call themselves ‘pantsers’. There’s no planning, but they know instinctively what comes next. Some authors set times for when or how long they’ll write. Others will sit at their computer and let the words pour out of them until they are wrung dry. And just what is deep POV anyway?

Keep in mind that what is right for others may not work with you. I’ve recently seen a string of emails about how individual writers determine a ritual of what works for them. This discussion clanged like Big Ben for me. I struggled with the best way to put those first words on paper. Some authors reported starting their writing day with coffee, a little Facebook time, then music to pound the keys by.  Others expressed a preference for a glass of wine, scented candles and warm lamplight illuminating their keyboard as they transcribe the action in their head. And, don’t overlook the value of noise cancelling headphones. Every author has a ritual or process. And that process will be as personal as your favorite handbag or pair of shoes.

As you begin your journey toward becoming a published author, you’ll set your own routine. With luck, it will come naturally. Experiment with time, place and ambiance. I worked from several different rooms in my home until I settled on one with a picture window overlooking the yard, outdoor scented candles and instrumental music. This location and atmosphere stirred my inner creative. Find the routine that allows words to flow freely for you. Then write. Refining, editing, learning, polishing, entering contests, marketing and promotion will follow. Everyone has to start somewhere. Pick your spot and get busy.

Heidi Senesac writes contemporary romance as Gemma Brocata. She is the new Vice President in charge of programs for Midwest Romance Authors.