The Value of Prewriting

When you hear the term prewritng, what comes to mind? Brainstorming? Research? Scattered notes on your desk? I'm sure we'd agree on the definition: the early stage of writing where idea formulation begins and blossoms. 

Recently while vacuuming and mentally sorting out an article idea, I recalled something a writing instructor told me. Her husband saw her sitting on the couch and asked if she was taking a break. She told him she was working - writing an article in her head. Her point for me was that a writer's life has numerous productive stages, whether done with pen and paper, on the computer screen, or in our heads.

This encouraged and helped me see the value of the prewriting and brainstorming stages. It's where our ideas are birthed and become a reality on the road to our destination: communicating with readers. 

Elizabeth King Humphrey had this to say about Creative Brainstorming on the Women on Writing blog:


"When teaching writing, I’ve often found that many students don’t seem to throw enough focus on each of the different steps involved in writing: pre-writing, writing, and revising. Creativity can play a part in all three stages. 

Certainly, if supported, the pre-writing stage can help a writer gain access to a variety of ideas that might not have appeared without taking the time. What happens when you approach your writing with a variety of questions or just space and time to grow your ideas? Often you get surprising answers that expand your choices even more. You’ve moved beyond the tip of the iceberg because your few ideas help to generate more ideas; your creative right side is engaged. A brainstorming session is born."


I have to agree. Writers are wired for thinking, which translates into writing. In the right balance, this is a good thing. It doesn't have to overwhelm. 

Prewriting keeps the mind active, offering material and insight for current and future projects. It sustains "continued education", helping us stretch our minds and strengthen the skills we need to keep moving forward.

In Other News 
 
Ann Gabhart visits us next week to discuss and give away a copy of her latest book, Murder Comes by Mail. Hope you can join us!

Congratulations to Susan P., winner of Carry Me Home by Dorothy Adamek in last week's interview and  giveaway! 


What kind of prewriting do you do? What are you writing this week? 

Happy writing,
Karen

Open the Door to New Ideas

Do you ever get stuck for ideas? Or find yourself in a place where you aren't sure how to proceed?

What helps you get un-stuck?

I think many writers, whether newbies, veterans, or somewhere in between, face this closed door on occasion. Solution advice includes taking a walk or buckling down and pressing through.

There are other simple fixes that help us renew and refocus, like going to a movie, working on another project, or brainstorming. 

Speaking of such, the following brainstorming methods have helped me work out the wrinkles. Maybe they'll help you too.

Freewriting - Set a time limit (five or ten minutes) and write down anything that comes to mind. It matters not what, just write. When the time expires, review the results. Some content won’t be useful, but there might be a nugget or two that stands out.

Clustering (or Mapping) – Choose a word or two from your topic, write it down in the middle of a blank piece of paper, and circle it. Write related words around the main word/s, circle them, and draw a line from each to the main word/s. A visual like this can reveal patterns or fresh leads.

The Five W’s – Ask the questions used when writing a news article - Who, What, Where, When, and Why (don't forget How, too). List these words, then answer each one using related ideas about the theme.  Answers don't have to be extensive, any thoughts can be useful. This is my favorite method. :)

The Flip Side – Consider the subject from a different angle. This is especially helpful for emotional or controversial issues. Place yourself in the other person's shoes and see what happens.

The Top Five List – Make a list of the top five things you or others might like to know about the subject. A list of any size can help sort and clarify ideas. 

Brainstorming methods can offer alternative thoughts or perspectives thus sharpening and polishing our work. Go ahead, give one a try. You never know what fresh ideas might pop out when you swing that door wide open!


I've a guest post about real life and writing at Helping Hands Press blog. If you have a moment, stop over and say hello. :) Thanks so much!

What helps you brainstorm? What are you working on this week?

Happy writing,

Karen

Photo credit: Free Images

Does Your Brain Storm?

How do you generate and expand writing ideas? Do you brainstorm?

I do on occasion, depending on the project. Sometimes brainstorming is simple, like jotting down ideas, doing research, or talking to fellow writers. Other times it's more extensive, like using one of the following methods. 

Freewriting - Set a time limit (like five minutes), and write down anything that comes to mind. If you can't think of anything to write, write that down and then see what flows next. When the time limit is up, review what you’ve written. Some of the content won’t be useful, but it might surprise you to see that there may be good ideas. Save potential ideas and toss the rest.

Clustering (or Mapping) – Take a word or two from the topic, write it down in the middle of a blank piece of paper and circle it. Write related words around the main word/s, circle them, and draw a line from each to the main word/s.  For example, if the topic is teen cell phone use, related words might include texting, convenience, communication, data plans, billing overages, texting and driving, etc.

The Five W’s – Ask the questions that journalists do when writing an article. These include Who, What, Where, When, and Why. List these five words on a sheet of paper, then answer each one using thoughts about the topic. The answers do not have to be extensive, just write any thoughts that come to mind that might apply. 

The Flip Side – Consider the topic from a different angle. This is especially helpful if the topic is a controversial issue. For instance, if the topic is requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets, consider both sides. Why do people think it is important to wear a helmet? Why do opponents feel that they shouldn’t have to? 

Ideas are everywhere, but sometimes the brain needs a little nudge to get that storm going.

Do you use any of these methods? What helps you generate ideas and work through the process?

Happy writing,

Karen

P.S. Congratulations to Jeanette Levellie, the winner of Cathy Gohlke's Saving Amelie! Thanks to everyone who stopped by last week's post.


Copyright 2014 Karen Lange. No part of the text may be used without prior written permission.

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

You Might Be...If...

    

A phrase came to mind last week. It's simple, and one you've heard before. But it struck me as something that could spark a host of marketable ideas.                                                

                                                                                          

Since it had blog post potential too, I had to share it. :) 
                                                                                             

It goes like this:

You might be a writer if... 

These are the answers that came to mind right away:

• you get writing ideas wherever you go.
• you spot typos when reading, well, anything.
• when reading, you critique the author's style or word choices.
• you practice smiling in the mirror for your book cover photo.

While we're on a roll, how about another: 

You might be a grandma if you carry fruit snacks in your purse at all times.
  
True story. There are two packs of gummy fat free deliciousness resting in the bottom of my purse as we speak. You never know when a certain grandson might need fortification.

How about:

• You might be an artist if...
• You might be a blogger if...
• You might be a musician if...
• You might be a fiction fan if...
• You might be a firefighter if...
• You might be from the northeast if...
• You might've been born in the 70's if...

Fill in the blanks and take it wherever you like. Or create your own customized version. If nothing else, this idea makes a good writing prompt or brainstorming tool. It has great potential to fuel the writing fire in many directions. What could you do with a handy phrase like this?


Special Notes

Congratulations to Tyrean Martinson! Her book, Champion in Flight was released
on May 31. Champion in Flight is Book 2 in the Champion Trilogy.

For more info visit Tyrean's blog or check it out on Amazon or Smashwords.

Congrats also to Patti, the winner of Becky Povich's book! Thanks to everyone who stopped by for the interview last week.

What might you be if...? Have any ideas to share?

Have a great week!

Happy writing,

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Write in Your Head

How do you write?

On paper and computer screen, on salvaged envelopes, and post it notes - anything that provides a flat surface long enough to record a thought, right?

Have you ever considered how much writing happens in your head?

Yes, I know; it all starts there.

A deadline's looming. An ongoing project needs tweaking. A great idea blossoms. And the wheels are turning. This is a good thing, but...

You're doing the laundry. Or at a baseball game. And you cannot immediately record your thoughts. This is when you write in your head.

But what do you do? Hope you remember? 

I don't know about you, but there is no off switch for my brain. It doesn't care what I'm doing, it just cranks out ideas. And before I know it, I have a paragraph written in my head. So I've learned to keep pen and paper handy everywhere, from in my purse to the nightstand. The recording features on my cell phone and MP3 player come in handy too.

Noting thoughts must wait, of course, when we're driving or white water rafting. So we trust that we'll retain those ideas for later, yes? And so it goes in the writer's life. :)

How do you handle this kind of head writing? What's the most unusual place a great idea has hit you?

Happy writing,

Karen

P.S. Hope you can join me next Monday when author Ann Gabhart stops by. Have a great week!



Image Credit: Stock Exchange