How to write
When I visited the famous Library at Ephesus in Turkey it struck home to me that what I do and what you want to do is what writers have been wrestling with for centuries. Writing stories is an ancient pastime…beginning around campfires when the elders passed down wisdom through the images that their spoken stories conjured. They used heroic tales to inspire or fables to educate. Or simply told stories about their people and their history to entertain. So all you’re doing as you settle down to write is following in a grand tradition of storytelling that hundreds of thousands of people before you have faced in gathering their thoughts and their ideas to present in a way that others might enjoy.
I realise that there are a lot of aspiring writers out there who are looking for some sort of reference tool that can aid in giving them a blueprint…some oxygen to fan the flames in their belly to write. It’s hard getting started…it’s even harder to keep going and the hardest part of all is finishing a manuscript.
There’s also a lot of books out there on the topic of writing. I have a couple of favourites but the best thing I did was to take a professional writing course – just one week, very intensive with a highly respected and regularly published Australian writer who gave practical, valuable insight not only on how to write but on getting published.
I encourage aspiring writers to join their local writers’ centre, to mix with other writers and especially to look into courses, so long as they are run professionally and by people who truly understand what it is to start with a blank document, produce 500 pages of crisp storytelling and have a backlist of published books that qualify them to hand down advice. Too often courses are run by people with little or no track record and no true understanding of the commitment and sacrifice required to write a manuscript that has the potential to hit not only national but international booklists. My opinion is that a published – and selling – author is the best source for the sort of inspiration that aspiring writers are looking for. So just choose carefully because writing courses can be expensive but they are also a brilliant investment in yourself if you can find the right one for you.
Join your state Writing Centre as these often run good courses run by writers for writers and are a great source of information on the publishing industry in general. Go to your favourite Australian writers’ website and see if that author is running any master classes or workshops. Many of us enjoy interacting with new writers and encouraging them to follow their dream, so we will often get involved in hosting a course. Check out our sites, as we will usually promote them well in advance.
I have a strong desire to produce a book that can act as a working tool for the aspiring writer of popular fiction. I receive a lot of mail on the subject of How To Write and I find myself going over old ground repeatedly because most new writers have the same questions. I know, because I had those same questions when I was setting out. I give you my word I will do my absolute best to work on this project this year.
Hi Fiona, just wanted to say how appreciative I am of your basic, honest and informative advice to the individual wishing to write. Yes, I am finding the balance of working my day job, family and wanting to write somewhat a trial. Most days the story I wish to finish is all that fills my mind, however I find it difficult to talk ideas over with others – due to the content of my material but mainly for fear of failure. My family and I live in the middle of ‘nowhere’ and travelling to my nearest writers group is over 100kms away. I wish too know if you are aware of a supportive online writers group. I hope to be able to travel to the up coming Penola arts festival. Warm Regards, Kirstan.
Hi Kirsten, I do feel for you. Work, family and writing can be juggled. I did. I’m not saying that to boast, simply to reassure you and while it feels impossible I managed to write my first five novels late at night after a day’s work, cooking the family dinner and our two young sons were finally in bed, homework done, etc. Just become very time efficient, and supremely disciplined when it comes to the hour or how ever long you give yourself. Don’t invest it reading back yesterday’s, or tinkering with what’s already written. Ensure that time is spent writing new words. You’ll be surprised how the manuscript quietly emerges behind you. As to the writing community I didn’t involve myself but then I’m every inch the loner writer. That said, the writing community is inspirational and it is motvational and it does help – even now and then – to have the opportunity to mix, so again I sympathise. There are hundreds of online writing communities. But my suggestion is that you begin with your nearest big library. Which genre? The fantasy writing community for instance is hugely active on line and I could give you some options there but more mainstream writing will need some research. The publishers usually have very good online communities at their websites and those are usually very well run sites with plenty of people chatting. I hope to see you in Penola. All best, F
Kirstan, I truly believe that talking to other writers on regularly helps keep fuel your enthusiasm and hone your writing skills. The Writer’s Centre in your state is an invaluable source of information & they provide great workshops. I recently started the Novelist’s Circle in Adelaide, for people who are writing novel length works to get together monthly. You encounter different hurdles whilst writing a long piece & it’s wonderful to know you’re not the only crazy person trying to create a masterpiece at the same time as living a life. Keep plugging away!
Hi Fiona!
Firstly, I want to say that your books are the first books that I fell in love with as a teen. So much so that now I am currently working on my first novel!
You have been my favourite author ever since then; your love for writing and your books themselves have been my inspiration!
At 24, I am a young wife and mother and I am currently studding through OpenUni doing a Creative and Professional writing unit. I live in the middle of WA and the nearest City is 700ks away, so it’s tough to gain the support of other writers, finding writing courses and just learning the general basics on “how to write” so to speak.
I am currently “studding” (and loving re-reading for the 4th time) Myrren’s Gift.
In my creative writing unit this week, we have to submit a character profile for our main character in our short Shorty, and I know that Myrrens Gift, having so many wonderful characters’ is just an amazing read and now that I’m paying more attention to the narrative and dialogue (and more) I am learning so much from your writing!!! As well as being absolutely amazingly plotted and scripted, your writing continues to inspire me!
For a first time writer, what advise have you always held close to your heart that keeps you writing?
May I ask what resources and books did you use and fall back on in your early years of writing? Whether they were “how to books” or just anything in general. One thing that I find hard is finding reliable material that give really good advice and guidance – yay, being a novice sucks sometimes!
Oh, how I would love to sit down and ask you a million questions!
-Warm Regards, Genna.
Genna, thank you so much. I have just sent off an email to your private address. Happy writing! F