An "Ideal" Writing State

      While no one needs to reach an "ideal" mental state in order to write or write well, it always comes as a pleasant surprise to find that I have slipped into one. Ideal states of mind are one of the greatest pleasures of writing. But what IS an "ideal" state? Is it a degree of creativity? Quality? Output? I don't think creativity is a state of mind (I will explain this in the next blog). And I believe both productivity and quality are determined by time spent writing (both long-term and short-term).

      For me, an "ideal writing state" relates to how I feel while writing. At some point while writing I realize that I am both tired and energized. My mind is both empty and full. Three hours have passed and the time span feels both very long and very short. For me, this feels like an ideal state in which to write. I say "an" ideal because I don't have a single ideal state of mind for writing.
       I wasn't always like this. At first, I thought I needed to be in a certain creative state before I started to write. Later, I thought I needed to write myself into that state. Recently, I have realized I have grown to have more ideal writing states than just that one.
       I think this is normal -- that eveyone's "ideal" will broaden with time. That the basic definition of their ideal will change. Probably mine will broaden and change again. What do you think? What are your thoughts on an "ideal writing state"? How does it feel when you are "in the zone"?

The Glory of Young Characters

Full motion video depictions of Laguna (left) and Squall, two of the main protagonists (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I've noticed that main characters, even in adult fiction, tend to be young. Even when they are not young, they are often prone to teen/ young adult traits that foster conflict. Traits like impulsiveness, lack of censorship in dialogue, rebellion, and identity crises. All of these are universal traits that people experience to greater or lesser degrees throughout their lives but are distilled – exaggerated – in youth. This distillation, above all, is why I think books tend to use young people as protagonists. But these traits are useful and realistic in characters of any age, so take a look even if you write older characters.

• Impulsiveness: Teens and young adults are impulsive. They are more likely than their older counterparts (generally) to act before they consider the consequences. Many parents lament over the trouble their children (and not-quite-children) land themselves in because they didn't stop to think. But for the purposes of a book or poem, this is a positive trait.
• Conversations: This ties into impulsiveness. Young people (especially younger people) speak without censoring what they say. They say what is on their minds and they speak without regard for how their words will make other people feel. This is a valuable quality for generating conflict in dialogue.
• Rebellion: Many teenagers and young adults question social conventions, take up causes, and find themselves feeling like outsiders. All of these set up conflict because they are not living in accordance with pre-established rules and expectations. At some point they will have to stand up for their beliefs. Conflict!
• Identity: Many protagonists are in the process of learning who they are. This makes for juicy conflict with loved ones, society, and himself. Even the past and future are in conflict, with the protagonist's present caught in the middle.

5 Ways to Free Your Writing

Dancers at the annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cinco de Mayo is (in part) a day that celebrates freedom. As a writer, fight for freedom from cliches, stagnation, and writer block! Just as the Mexicans turned back an invading force, you can fight against these enemies of writers everywhere and everywhen.

• Brainstorm: Avoid cliches by listing multiple scenarios. I find that my best ideas come after the brainstorming becomes difficult because I'm really stretching myself. Another benefit of brainstorming is that you can combine ideas, adding complexity – even if you go with your original plan.
• Want: Write what you want, not what you think you should write. You are writing for people who like what you like. So write for yourself and you will be writing for them. Also, when you write what you want you will be more enthusiastic, creative, and persistent.
• Carry: Keep a voice recorder, a notebook, or note cards to record ideas as they come. Then they'll be available when you want them. As an added benefit, the act of recording them can generate additional ideas.
• Ask: Other people love to share ideas for characters or settings. This gives them a chance to be part of the process and gives you a new perspective.
• Rewrite: When a scene doesn't work, rewrite it regardless of your time constraints. Better to do it now rather than later. A bad scene or line – or one that just doesn't “fit” – can mean the difference between acceptance and rejection during the submission process.

Writer's Block

English: A brick wall in Giza, Egypt. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I don’t suffer from writer’s block. I suffer from lack of planning. When I find myself confused, numb, or just not knowing what to write, I do one (or more) of several things.

1) make my outline more in depth
2) brainstorm disasters that could logically follow from what I have just written
3) ask if someone has acted out of character
4) revise what I have written, taking a different angle
5) write something I think is stupid, knowing that I can alter what I’ve written but can never edit a blank page
6) try writing the next scene and then go back and fill in the blank
7) change point of view and choose a new goal that is vital to that new character
8) introduce a new arc, subplot, or character
9) change focus to a different arc, subplot or character
10) have my viewpoint character review what has happened so far, restate his/her goal, and choose a short-term plan of action to reach that goal