Helsinki, FI
Dear writers,
These past few months have been full of projects: from the publication of my first book, to making creative videos about Finnish nature to working on a promotional video that mixes nature with poetry. Although ideas for a new story started surfacing in my mind, I have not started writing the new book yet. It is completely normal not to feel like starting a project, especially when it is supposed to be a big one. On the one hand, there is the time problem, while on the other hand, we do not know exactly where to start, and maybe we are waiting for more ideas. I think that these moments can be deeply formative and inspiring for a writer, because, in this way, they let good ideas sink in the mind, while letting others go. As I also write in other articles, sometimes the real problem is having too many ideas, too many possibilities, which makes it quite difficult to discern which ones are relevant and which ones do not fit the story I want to tell. Waiting to see ideas changing and strengthening themselves can be good when the direction is not clear, but it is also important to remember that waiting does not mean being passive. Otherwise, ideas would really fly away, like a storm of birds ready to migrate as winter approaches. As writers, we can still work on our stories even while we are waiting.
Here are four steps for you!
The first step, which does not require any effort, is to write down those ideas, all of them, even the ones that do not fully convince you. In this way, you can come back any time to review, highlight, delete them and even add new ones to the list. It is also the best way to detach yourself from the millions of ideas that run through your mind every day. Once you put them on paper, they will stay there.
The second step is to organize your ideas. Try to notice a pattern in what you have written: maybe there is a lot of information on the possible themes of the story, or the characters’ personality and appearance, or on specific events that must happen. Once you find the categories, organize your thoughts under each category, in order to have a clearer picture of 1) the overall plot, 2) different/similar outcomes and possibilities, and 3) what is still missing.
The third step is all about refining your ideas: add what is missing and delete what is not necessary, or even contradictory.
Finally, for the fourth step, write down all the main events of the story in chronological order, or in the order you want them to appear in your book. While you are doing this, if it comes naturally, you could also start adding more and more small details, thus making the list resemble a concise plot. You could also separate the events into 1) beginning, 2) body, and 3) conclusion.
And there you have it! A solid foundation for your next work! This is the perfect starting point for your work because it gives the writer clarity and discernment while making the writing process less taxing, especially from a mental point of view. This is how writers can be active even during the pre-writing stage. At the end of the day, a book is made of all these little moments of inspiration, ideas, waiting, brainstorming, and writing. A book not only tells the character’s story, but it also tells the writer’s one. Each book is different from one another not only because the plot changes, but because the writer and the process of writing also change. Do not be discouraged if you do not have enough time, if you are unsure about your ideas, or if you are scared to start, follow these small steps, and they will make your writing journey easier!
Hence, remember that even in waiting seasons, you are already writing your next story.
- Chiara
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