Some basic tips

By Geoffrey Gevalt
YWP Editor

Here are a few ideas and tips to keep in mind while writing:

Noodle. What do you want to say? What do you want to write? What’s your opening line? Know those things before you begin; it’s like traveling with a road map.

Audience. You are not writing for the world; even on this blog. Pick one person you trust and love and respect. Imagine her; or him. Imagine that you are writing to that person, talking to that person. Forget about everyone else.

Set a time limit. Writing can be daunting. Tell yourself that you’ll only write for fifteen minutes. Or 20. Or 10. Stick with it.

Write fast. One problem in writing is running out of gas before you get to the end. TIP: Pay attention to how you’re feeling; if you are getting a bit disinterested, or you find yourself wanting to be done, skip ahead to the end, to the good part and finish that. Leave yourself a bookmark — a word or phrase that will allow you to come back to fill it in later. It never fails that the ending and the beginning are the most important.

Write short. Along the same lines, don’t try to bite off too much when you are blogging or keeping a journal. Pick the most memorable moment, memory, idea. Get that down. In keeping with the write fast mantra, jot down a few reminder ideas or details to return to later.

Write simple. Don’t stretch your writing too far. Don’t grab for the fancy word when the simple will do. Don’t struggle with a simile when the straight expression will do. Keep it simple, active, direct.

Tell a story. Think narrative. Yes, you can bring in your voice, your observations as an essayist, but if you can tell me a story that shows the point, I, as the reader, will connect more deeply with what you are writing.

Details. The cliche is this: The devil is in the details. And that happens to be a phrase that I’ve never fully understood. Except that the details take hard work; the details are, in fact, where you should be putting a lot of energy. Details bring writing to life. Pay attention to details. She was wearing a flowered dress. … Well what kind of a flowered dress? Was it long, short, purple, yellow? Were they roses? Or lilies? …

Use a notebook. You are young. Your minds are like steel traps. Nonetheless, get a small pocket notebook and jot things down. If something happens, don’t look away; inventory the scene, the people, the light, the details, the trees, whatever…And pull out your notebook and write exactly what you see. When you finally get to writing the scene, you’ll be glad you have those details. And again, be exact.

Grab the moment. When you write a journal or, in this case, a blog on your experience, you need to write whenever you have a free moment — down time on the bus or train, waiting for the others, between rehearsal and dinner. Don’t wait for the quiet time in your room — you’ll be too tired. Pick moments when you are fresh.

Push yourself. Writing is fun. Yes. I really think that. But a lot of times it isn’t. And a lot of times it seems like a pain and it is very easy to put it off … “I’ll write later.” … “I’m too tired.” … “We only have 15 minutes.” Seize the moment. The purpose of writing is to get it down, to get it onto paper, to keep it from disappearing into the ethereal static of one’s brain.

Get rid of your worries. Have a small basket handy to store your worries — “I don’t have anything to say.” “What will people think of this.” “I’m tired.” “I don’t have time.” Set them aside; focus on what you want to say.