Allow yourself to, just write. Put anything down that comes to mind.

In my opinion, this is the best advice to give someone who is writing a skeleton or first draft.

I say that of course because, it is the advice I am giving myself. I’m not a plotter. I don’t really plan too much for my stories. I let the idea flow from head, to pen, to paper, and then sort it all out in the end. Sure I have a general idea where I want things to go, but for the most part, I’m just winging it.

For a person like me it is easy to get hit by writers block. If the ideas aren’t flowing, I’m stuck staring at an empty piece of paper with nothing to write.

That’s where I need my little reminder.

Go ahead and write badly. Write whatever comes to mind. Just put something-anything- on the page.

After all, first drafts never get published.

It doesn’t matter if you waste 4k words on the main character tying her shoes. If it helps me move the story in some way, or helps me spark an idea, it is worth it.

The boring and mundane stuff can always be edited out later.

I say this all of course, because I got myself stuck this weekend and it took, letting my MC babble on about random things, for me to finally figure out where book two was going. I’m now 21k words into my skeleton draft of book 2, (tentatively called, Hunters Prey) I have the main plot all figured out now, and I am ready to power through this draft. I’m feeling creative now!

So remember, allow yourself to write whatever comes to mind, no matter how dumb. It may spark your creativity.

6 comments:

Rene said...

I don't plot myself so I just end up spewing on the keyboard and writing whatever comes to mind. You can always delete that which doesn't work. I'm working on my oh, I don't know, 8th or so manuscript, and I can say that it does get easier every time I write. I pretty much know where I need to go in my story and I'm able to write more sparingly.

Jody Hedlund said...

What a great reminder! I'm definitely a plotter, but there are certainly times I stare at a blank screen! I'll have to remember your trick! And the trick to say, what's the worst thing that could happen next.

Danyelle L. said...

Fellow non-plotter here. :D I totally agree with you. The best way to write a novel is to just sit down and write. :D

Traci said...

I did that with my novel...I just wrote it all out. Now...adding the layers. Let there be prayer. :-D

Katie Salidas said...

glad to see I am not the only non plotter out there. =p

This little advice has been helping me so much. I'm really making progress here.

Jessica Nelson said...

You're so right! I'm a complete pantser. If we write crap, we can delete it. But I think actually sitting and writing will get the story going. Nice post.

About The Author

Katie Salidas is a USA Today bestselling author and RONE award winner known for her unique genre-blending style.

Since 2010 she's penned five bestselling book series: the Immortalis, Olde Town Pack, Little Werewolf, Chronicles of the Uprising, and the all-new Agents of A.S.S.E.T. series. As her not-so-secret alter ego, Rozlyn Sparks, she is a USA Today bestselling author of romance with a naughty side.

In her spare time Katie also produces and hosts a YouTube talk show; Spilling Ink. She also has a regular column on First Comics News where she explores writing from a nerdy perspective.