Spice it up!!!

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Spice it up!!!

There are many techniques you can use to perfect your writing, whether it be poetry, fiction, non-fiction, journalism, or creative writing. Listed below are some tips and hints that any writer can use...

DICTIONARY/THESAURUS

Don't be afraid to use a dictionary and/or thesaurus. It just isn't possible for every writer to have memorized all of the words in the English language. When you find yourself unable to think of the perfect word, or you think you know what word you want to use but don't know if you're using it correctly (by definition), look it up!! Don't have a dictionary and/or thesaurus right next to you? Click Here for the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary and Thesaurus.

DAY BOOKS

Want to write, but don't know what to write about? This problem, commonly known as writer's block, can be fixed a few different ways. Carry a day book with you at all times. A day book is a notebook of any kind that you can have within easy reach at all times to write down ideas that come to you at random, and sometimes strange, times. It is also used to keep track of words you come across everyday that you'd like to use in your writing at some point, and to write down phrases you like and/or quotes that strike you. And last, but definitely not least, it is sometimes a good idea to just go ahead and jot down a poem or quick essay in your day book, as you might not remember what you thought of later.
Need a new day book? Click Here for some great journals at a great price!

FREE-WRITING

Even with the advantages that a day book can afford every writer, it is still sometimes near impossible to break through a really tough case of writer's block. Try a free-write, it can't hurt, and you never know: you just might find something useful in what randomly comes out here. A free-write is a piece of writing that was done during a specific, clocked amount of time (10 minutes, for example). These writing sessions are usually begun from one specific starting point, one idea. Can't think of something to start your free-write with? Anything will do!! Your shoes, for example, are a great starting point. Specify a certain amount of time for yourself to write, but try not to shoot for more than 10 minutes at a time, and stick to it! Begin writing, keeping in mind the most important rule for free-writing: DO NOT STOP NO MATTER WHAT!!! Even if you find yourself writing something like, "I don't know what to write. I'm supposed to write about my shoes, but all I know is that they're brown and dirty." This is a great place to start. Before you know it a new idea should have popped into your head; for example, where do my shoes take me? Where can my shoes take me? Are shoes symbolic for any greater meaning? Try it, I can guarantee it will help break through the writer's block to find whatever is lying in wait underneath the surface. Still can't get through the block? Try some music and listen to the lyrics for anything that moves you. Watch the news, maybe a current event will strike a cord in you, giving you a great starting point for a wonderful piece of writing.

READING

Good writing can't happen without some good reading. Every good, professional writer not only writes constantly but also reads constantly. You don't have to be reading the classics to keep up with the writing trend. Even reading your favorite newspapers and magazines can help keep fresh in your mind grammar rules, spelling, sentence and paragraph structures, and new vocabulary. Try to read something every day to keep your writer's mind at it's peak at all times. Want to read the latest and greatest? Try checking out some major publisher websites for their newest publications.
Click here to check out the newest at Random House.
Click here to check out the newest at Harper Collins.
Click here to check out the newest at Penguin Books Ltd.
Click here to find the latest from Black Sparrow Press (poetry publishing).

THE IMPORTANCE OF REVISION

Revision never stops, it is an ongoing process. Even already published pieces could always use a little more work. Dont' like to revise? Think your writing is perfect the first time around? Well, sorry to sound a bit harsh, but GET OVER YOURSELF. Even the greatest writers in history spent years in the revision process before calling their works complete. There is always something you could be doing differently.
Looking for a good book on the process of revision? The Craft Of Revision, by Donald M. Murray, is a great one.

UNNECESSARY MARRIAGE

Along these same lines, it is important to realize when you've crossed that "special" line and married your work. You'll know you've made this common mistake when you find yourself refusing to accept any suggestions for changes in your work and/or you feel that revision is useless at any stage of the process. Yes, a serious writer needs to be committed to her/his work, but that commitment should only be taken to a certain level. And once you've crossed that "special" line, it can be hard to come back. So keep in mind that they are only words: language ALWAYS changes.

WRITING THE PROCESS

Many writers, myself included, usually write what is called a "process" after a writing session. A "process" is a short paragraph describing in detail the process you went through while writing. Make note of the new ideas you had while writing, how many times you had to change one word to find the right meaning, any questions you may have been asking yourself, even how much time you spent during that one particular writing session. Once you've done this you've got a specific place to start next time you work on that piece. The process helps writers to remember where it is exactly that they left off. Your process paragraph doesn't have to be anything formal; in fact, it doesn't have to be a paragraph at all. But at least make some notes so that you don't forget where you wanted to start off the next time.

"................"

Yes, sometimes "..............." is right. What am I talking about? Sometimes it is good writing to not think about what it is that you're writing. I like to start with a phrase that doesn't necessarily hold any specific meaning for me and go from there. Think of it as improvisation. Don't think about what will come next, or worry about whether or not it makes sense right away; just write it. And don't worry about when to stop writing this "nonsense." You'll know when the time has come to put your pen down and read over what you've just written. Who knows, maybe it won't really mean anything after all. But you'll at least get some good lines that could be great starting points for other pieces. And if it means something to you, you'll see why "............." can be right.

"YOU DON'T KNOW JACK $%&#!"

If you're worried that a reader might say this to you after reading something you've written, then maybe you want to think about investing some time in a little research. Even if you're not worried about it, it's probably still a good idea anyway. All writers need to be able to site their sources. No matter which genre you choose to write in, knowing what is fact and what is rumor is crucial. (psssssst! Even poets should research!)

DON'T WAIT

Remember that day book? USE IT. Even writers are human. And humans tend to forget things. Write down your ideas right away. Write those poems right away. You don't want to forget what you needed to say.

FINDING A READER

Find a friend, family member, colleague, or professor to read your writing. It always helps to have an objective opinion about your work. Listen to what they have to say, and consider all suggestions. And don't be insulted if they don't like a certain section that you like!! Listen to their advice, and remember: that's all it is - ADVICE. You don't necessarily have to follow it if you don't think it will work, but it can give you something new to think about. Most importantly, your work should always remain YOUR WORK. Never let whoever reads your work for you change it without your permission. Don't let them bully you into changing something that you don't want to change. However, KEEP AN OPEN MIND to their suggestions.

WRITING CONNECTIONS

Make some connections with other writers. Even if this connection isn't a professional one, at least you'll have someone to talk to about writing when no one else quite understands. This connection doesn't have to be a close one, either. Even being part of a writer's listserv is a great start.

RELAX

Don't stress about it!!! Always keep in mind that truly good writing takes time. If you are working under a deadline, make sure you start your writing for it much in advance. Taking your time with your work reduces the stress, and helps your writing. If you aren't stressed about the writing process itself, but are stressed about something else in your life, it might not be the right time for you to attempt to tackle that poem you've been meaning to write. Of course writing can be relaxing in its own right, but save your "I'm-stressed-out-and-I-need-to-rant" writing for your personal journal/day book. Never work on a professional piece when/if you're not up to it.

INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH...

I heard somewhere that in the Eskimo language, "to breathe" and "to make a poem" are the same word. Think about it.

AND FINALLY...

This may possibly be almost every serious writer's motto: "Never a day without a line."

Have some good ideas for this page? Have some helpful writing tools that you'd like to share on this page? GREAT! Send them to: poetryquarterly@lycos.com