A Starting Spark

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Some say the hardest part is getting started.

So, here it is – to the first time novelists, to the newbie writers, to those just giving it a go – a few ideas to kick-start your writing.

(I am, in no way, an expert at this, but when you’ve got nowhere to start, who knows what could cause a spark!)

[if !supportLists]1. [endif]Dream.

This may seem to be a completely inept first point. However, without a dream, you have nowhere to go. Sitting down and writing about a dog is all well and good, but a dream gives you purpose, it ignites your imagination, and it creates an idea you’re interested in, something you want to strive for. So dream big, and let your writing develop from this.

[if !supportLists]2. [endif]Write.

This is another seemingly convoluted and totally useless point, but don’t give up on me yet. You see, once you’ve energised your mind with this vision you have, don’t wait, don’t plan, just start writing. It doesn’t have to be the first chapter; in fact, unless you have a specific beginning in mind, start anywhere. It doesn’t have to be much, but once you’ve begun writing down the scene from your mind, you begin to get a sense of so many things – your writing style, little details that have sparked your interest, you get a feel of your characters, your setting, and you start to dream more and expand the plot around this.

[if !supportLists]3. [endif]Plot.

Now you have an idea your keen on and have written something down to get a feel for your writing, it’s time to plot. Now this, I have found, doesn’t need to be elaborate. Just the general idea is enough to get you going. Know what you want to get out of the writing – but don’t be afraid to let this develop as you go on. When I began writing I knew I wanted an amalgamation of two worlds (sci-fi and Earth) and that my main character was going to go on an adventure. From starting my novel, I’ve discovered a whole corrupt government, a better sense of what my main character will discover and how, my characters blossomed and the setting came to life.

[if !supportLists]4. [endif]Dream. Again.

Continuously, I let my mind craft my plot, characters and setting – most of the ideas developing from everyday life. When you’re on the train, the bus, in a queue, in a café, anywhere, let your imagination find connections between what happens around you and how this could fit with your novel. Body language, colourful clothes, an accent, a particular walk, the way the clouds form on a cold day, how you are feeling having to wait in a line; these all add a sense of tangency between how the world really works and your writing. In particular, I find the body language and quiet mannerisms of real humans to give a more natural feel to your characters.

[if !supportLists]5. [endif]The Details.

(These can be reordered as you please.)

[if !supportLists]a. [endif]Characters:

Sculpt your characters. You don’t have to start with your main characters, you could start with someone smaller that you have in mind. Consider little details that no one else in the world will care about – this is only for you to get a complete sense of who they are. For example, someone who is very eco-friendly may ride a bike to work, this bike may never be mentioned but it still helps you envision your characters.

I found that I only needed to complete understand my main characters. My other characters were actually really fun to write “on-the-fly”. These less important characters ended up being quirky and cool just for having been written freely. These characters grew out of how I was feeling that day.

I also found that – for dreaming purposes – finding people you know of (actors, actresses, family, friends) who loosely fits your characters is really helpful. These people can be physically similar, or have mannerisms you could mimic, or perhaps a quirk you would love to adopt. Whenever I came to dream or write about the character, if I got stuck I could picture them in that moment.

Always let your characters develop as you are writing. Discover who they are as the story progresses. They should still be within the framework you originally created (unless you decide to change them completely) but you can evolve their character as you write.

[if !supportLists]b. [endif]Setting:

Sculpt your setting. Draw, print, paint, brainstorm – completely picture your setting and consider all of the five senses. Research real places, craft new places. Don’t forget to consider laws of the land/society if your novel is set somewhere different from modern day society. Again, consider the little details to help you know your setting inside out (Although, you don’t have to worry too much about the sub-settings).

Consider how it feels. The feeling of a place can be described using your senses but sometimes labelling the feeling of actually being there helps find the words when you’re writing. For example, my character could love airports. So, the feeling of being at the terminal would be one of excitement or content – depending on what I want to achieve.

Always let your settings develop as you are writing. Something not working? Craft it as you go. Need a taller building? Change it to a skyscraper. Need a more solemn mood? Make it pelt rain. Just make you maintain consistency with your previous chapters.

[if !supportLists]c. [endif]Other:

What else makes your world tick? Do you need laws? Do you need to understand the language? Research and discover for yourself the little bits and pieces that will make your story, your story. Writing is as much of a learning process for the writer as the reader. You should also take this time to consider how you are going to deliver the story – First person? Third person? A mix? The main character’s voice? The sidekick’s?

[if !supportLists]6. [endif]Write Some More.

Keep at it. Write. It doesn’t have to be in order. It doesn’t have to be much. Just write what you feel like writing, whenever you can. Keep the goal in mind. Review and revise your plan. Dream about it. Talk about it. Feel exited about the journey you are on!

[if !supportLists]7. [endif]Bonus: For When You Get Stuck.

Don’t give up. Don’t get annoyed. And don’t throw it away. Just start something new. Often writing a novel can feel like a long process that spends more time going backwards than going forwards. Keep at it though. Find a new way to invigorate you imagination. I found two things helped to keep me going: Finding someone (or many someone’s) to share it with, to discuss your plan, your dream, and having a break to do something else. I found that writing some small pieces of writing for competitions meant I could start the imagination process on something new, with a new tone, and new characters, and a new setting. It was a more achievable goal in the short-run and it meant I could try something completely different.

A note: I have been writing for a little while, but I am in no way experienced. These suggestions are exactly that – these are some things I have found to work for me. Give them a go – but if they don’t work, ask someone else. Even if they do work, ask someone else! Getting help from a range of sources means you can see what works for you, and, of course, the accumulated knowledge of many people makes for better advice!

Tell me what you think. What works for you? What would you suggest?