With National Novel Writing Month just around the corner, amateur authors are all gearing up for one of the most intense months of their lives. For some participants, this project will come as easy as breathing; for others, however, this process will prove to be the most disheartening, yet ultimately rewarding challenge yet. For those authors who are less experienced with the creative writing progress, the folks at NaNoWriMo provide excellent sources to help you on your way from, prep-courses to kickstart the entire process to pep-talks from other authors giving advice and encouragement. These are excellent tools for this type of writing challenge; however, the suggestions given aren't the only ones out there; especially if you're an aspiring author, but prefer a slower method of writing – as opposed to cramming 50,000 words into one hectic month. Instead of becoming stressed out about the million-and-one things needed for the process to be complete, let's focus on the most important step: getting started.
Diana L. Driver writes in her blog about the seven stages of creative writing based off of an old 14th century document. These stages are relatively common throughout the writing world. In her words, the process begins with "The Invitation to Write" which is, essentially, the 'aha' moment when a plot bunny pops into your mind and you are overcome with desire to put it on paper. Regardless of what your thoughts are on the best steps to become an author, it all starts with an idea.
However, some authors such as James Taylor suggest that the writing process starts much earlier than the initial idea. This perspective suggests that an author starts by reading others' works as "Preparation" for the process, essentially absorbing as much information as possible. This sets you up for stage two, "Incubation," which suggests that all of the information you have gathered starts to churn in the back of your mind; the thought of writing a book just tickling the surface of your subconscious, waiting for the perfect moment to rear its head when leading to step three, "Insight." This is the exact idea that Driver seems to think starts the whole creative writing process, a specific idea of something to write about.
While each of these steps is important in motivating a person to begin writing, each of these steps misses an important point: pay attention to different writing styles. This comes from Taylor's "Preparation" stage, but goes much deeper. Rather than just reading an array of writing and absorbing it in general, pay attention to specific niches of an author's writing. How does the author convey characters' emotions or feelings? Does this lead to a very direct style of writing in which you know everything about the character, or do you have to make educated guesses? How does the writing flow? Does the story take place in first-person or third-person narrative?
Thinking through each of these things while enjoying a piece of writing will really motivate you to get to know your own writing. If you fall in love with a certain style of writing, you will more than likely want to emulate that in your own writing. If you detest first-person narrative, you'll know for sure that you will avoid it in your own works, etc. While each of the other suggestions provide excellent points in beginning the creative process, they lack definitive advice, and in doing so, can lead an aspiring author astray. To truly know exactly what you want to write and to set yourself up for success, rather than going down a path that may kill motivation, take mental notes on what you like or dislike in writing, and what you would want to include when you begin a project of your own.
