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> Develop your Writer Instinct, by Susan J. Letham
Cleo_Serapis
post May 23 04, 18:19
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Real Name: Lori Kanter
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Develop your Writer Instinct
by Susan J. Letham

Being a writer is a way of life--a process as well as a way
of creating a product. If you're serious about a career in
writing, you'll find it pays to develop your writing
instinct as well as your style and technique.

You thought instincts were inborn? Not necessarily. We tend
to develop new skills to suit the lives we lead. For
example, dancers and athletes develop an instinct for the
best take off point, the right move, the perfect body angle.
These things take time, training, and the best possible life
circumstances, no matter how much talent a person has to
begin with.

You have to create the circumstances you need to bring your
skills to the fore. For our sport stars that includes a
balance of action and rest, proper nourishment and the right
attitude. For you--the aspiring writer--it means exactly the
same. You, too, need to create the right balance between
work and play, to nourish your mind, body, and soul well,
and to make it easy for yourself to come to the page eager
and bursting with ideas.

Here are strategies you can use to develop your writer
instincts.

1. Be inquisitive

Creatives are nosey by nature. Learn to burn with interest
at the things around you, and always be eager to know more.
Hunt down the why and wherefore of people, places and events
you encounter on your life journey. Find new ways to
describe them.

Creative people translate life and experience so others can
understand. Most folks are interested in the world and its
ways, but as writers, poets, and journalers we're called to
go further than that: we're called to interpret what we see,
feel, hear and think.

Creatives have the gift of being able to see not only what
exists, but also what its potential may be. This is
particularly true of writers. At some point it becomes
second nature for us to ask ourselves the journalist's
questions: who, what, why, where, when and how? Great
writers will go one small step further and add 'what if...?'

Note three things that arouse your curiosity today.

1.
2.
3.


2. Be open and communicative

Once your curiosity has led you to a topic, take the time to
look, listen, learn and digest what's going on in and around
you in connection with your project.

Talk to other people. Get different views. Invite feedback
on your ideas. The input you get may be just what you need
to help you take the next step.

Collaborate where you can. Join a group, a club, a circle,
or work with a friend. Sure, you'll need to work on some of
your creative projects alone, but you can also learn a lot
by sharing.

List three people you can talk to about creative topics.

1.
2.
3.

List three ways/places you can work creatively with others.

1.
2.
3.


3. Care and share

Sooner or later creativity dwindles when you stew in your
splendid isolation. The other end of the soup bone is that
creativity multiplies when you share.

Success in writing terms means communication. For you that
might mean publishing something you've written in an e-zine,
newsletter, church magazine, or even the the PTA bulletin!
It might mean joining a writers' group and sharing what
you've written. It might mean teaching others whatever it is
you've learned so far.

Don't underestimate the third option. If "I don't know any
other writers/poets/artists..." is one of your pet whines,
sharing what you know is the best way to change that. Do it!

List three ways you can care and share.

1.
2.
3.


4. Get organized

A lot of what's known as "writer's block" is only the result
of poor organization. Set up good organizational habits for
yourself from the start.

Begin with simple things like regular writing time in a
special writing space.

Organize your tools. Hunting for utensils is distracting and
keeps your mind off writing.

Plan your work. Keep a writing diary. Your diary can hold
your progress record, list of deadlines, and all your
writing-related information in one handy resource.

Organize your resources so you can access them quickly.
Books and other reference material should be within easy
reach of your desk. Things like library opening times can be
written on cards then pinned to a notice board near your
workspace. Save the URLs of your online resources in a
special folder.

Organize your procedures. Once you know where to get what
you need, arrange to get it in your off-peak time. Write
when you're at your best and brightest. Research during your
lulls.

By organizing the creative peripherals, you make it easier
for yourself to get on with your real job, which is writing.

Note three things you want to organize. Add target dates.

1.
2.
3.

5. Aim high.

Success and average expectations don't get along well. Dream
your writing dreams a size too big and aim to grow into
them. Aim high and get passionate about your goals. Let your
passion fuel your ambition. You need a rip-roaring reason to
run in the writing rat race and jump the hurdles you need to
take on the success track. Act as though success is the only
option available to you.

If I knew I'd be successful, I'd write ...

1.
2.
3.

6. Get lucky

Yes, luck is part of the success equation, and the dice of
chance will always play a role in your dreams. However...
part of getting lucky involves being in the right place at
the right time with the right people so that the right
things can happen. That's the part of luck you influence.

Go to where the luck is. Sign up for the writing groups,
courses, workshops, summer schools, conferences, retreats,
college classes and anything else that will bring you
together with the teachers and editorial decision makers
who'll be able to help you reach your goals.

List three steps you can take to nudge your luck along.

1.
2.
3.


7. Plan for the long haul

I will gladly wish you instant success. It happens for one
in a million writers, so why shouldn't that one be you?

My advice to the other 999.999 aspiring bestseller authors
is to dig your ditches, pour your foundations, and start
laying the bricks of your success one by one.

Take an honest inventory of your needs and skills, then
create a plan that will help you get what you need to be
successful. Building your reputation as a writer can take
time. Spend some of that time honing your skills and
applying what you learn to your writing.

Knowing your skills will make you feel confident about using
them. Confidence will help you be patient, focused, and
positive during the time it takes to reach your goal.

Decide on three skills you need and ways you can learn them.

1.
2.
3.


8. Enjoy what you do

Nothing kills creativity like the doldrums of depression, so
lay your pen aside from time to time. Get out and have some
fun! Go to a writers' retreat and get tipsy with the girls
in the bar at night. Go dancing--it's the perfect activity
for folks who sit at a desk all day.

Use your writing skills for fun. Write for a lark! Write to
make people laugh and give them pleasure. Play writing games
with other writers. Pen silly stuff and love it!

Find satisfying ways to use your writing, even if they don't
pay at first. See it as part of your apprenticeship. Can you
help a child learn to write? Can you write down an elderly
neighbor's life story for her--for her family? Can you write
for a charity you believe in? All these things can give you
a deep sense of satisfaction and the knowledge that you're
using your writing gifts creatively.

Decide on three writing-related ways you can have fun.

1.
2.
3.

These practices will soon become second nature to you. Once
they do, you'll find they complement your writing skills
perfectly. By living in tune with your writerly instincts,
you'll be a better, happier, and more productive writer.
Try it and see!

Susan J. Letham is a British writer, creative writing tutor,
and owner of http://www.Inspired2Write.com . Sign up for
classes and competent 1-on-1 coaching. Pick up your no-cost
subscription to the monthly Inspired2Write Newsletter at:
mailto:Inspired2Write_Newsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Permission to use this article granted to L. Kanter by Susan Letham, Jan 20, 2004


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