For many writers people are their main source of inspiration and ideas. After all, “There is nothing so unique as people!” You’ll never run out of ideas if you are fascinated by how people behave and look. However, try not to write using clichés. Not all stepmothers are wicked, not all dads are fun and not all little sisters are pests (Really!). If you are going to write about a cliché "type" of person – like a kind grandmother or the boy-next-door - then try to put in individual details that will really make the reader notice them.
Collect, in a writer's notebook, sentences you overhear in a restaurant, library or at school, make sure that what you are collecting is interesting or funny to you. I bet your mom can tell you some funny things you said when you were little. Or you friend’s mom can tell you something (s)he said.
Also, collect odd little things that people do (these are called mannerisms). Perhaps your uncle blinks a lot when he gets excited, perhaps your postman hums songs to himself as he walks, perhaps your teacher licks her lips very fast just before saying something cross. These, too, will help when you create new characters.
Assignment #1
Cut pictures of faces from a magazine and then describe each one really carefully, writing your ideas in your writer's notebook.
Now, mix up all the pictures and all the descriptions and label each picture with a letter - A, B, C, etc. - and label each description with a number - 1, 2, 3, etc. - Have some of your friends look at the pictures and read your descriptions and try to match up which description fits which face.
WRITING TIPS/Assignments #2
How can I make my writing better? What do I need to know to write a good story? Where do I begin? These are just a few questions that students ask me on a regular basis and here are my answers…
Write what you know and what you love. Writing is a long process and if you love the subject it will keep you interested.
Always make your story interesting and different. Never write like anyone else, make sure your unique quality is what goes into your stories, not someone else’s.
Prepare before you write. Don’t just sit down and jot off a story off the top of your head. That isn’t the way professional writers write. They think about their stories, make notes, create characters and try to make the story believable. To do that, you must prepare, organize, work through problem spots, outline and then you start to write.
Make sure your story has a hook an interesting beginning that will grab the reader. If you can’t interest your reader -- who will you interest? Make sure you don’t take too long to explain your characters and story… As a writer you need to get out of the way and let your characters take over. If your characters don’t find their voice in the beginning of the story, your readers might not hang around long enough for them to be heard.
Begin your story with action or conflict (not violence) to draw the reader in.
Don’t be too wordy. Wordiness is bad for a story. A century ago, long-winded, experts in love with the English language could get away with a wordy story, but not today. People want a story that is fast moving and quick to action, that tells a riveting story that draws them in, not puts them to sleep.
Too many adjectives and adverbs don’t do it. Look for strong nouns and verbs that can stand-alone and don’t need to be dressed up with flowery phrases.
Big words? Keep it simple. Your reader wants to enjoy your story for entertainment and relaxation, if they were reading your story for pure educational reasons, perhaps you should be writing a textbook.
Detail or back-story: description should be use to clarify not to confuse. Too much description slows the action and pace of the story; use a light hand when creating detail. Give just enough information to move the story forward and make your readers comfortable. Make sure you use strong nouns and verbs and trim the excess fat of adverbs and adjectives out of your draft.
Writing Don’ts
1. Don’t tell the readers what to do in your story. Assume your readers are smart enough to know how to live their own lives. Don’t try to push any of your personal thoughts or opinions onto your readers.
2. Clichés… Don’t use them… “A dark and stormy night” theme went out of usage years ago. Be unique and new and give the readers something fresh.
3. Know your subject. Don’t try to write about subjects you don’t fully understand. Know what you are writing about. If your main character is a Chef, you better know your way around a kitchen. If you are writing about technology, you better know and understand the terms and usage.
4. Cutie Titles? A title is supposed to “hint” at a story but not give it away. Be careful how you title your story, it does matter. Keep it simple and short, generally around 18 letters or less.
5. Autobiographical. Don’t go this way unless you are the only person in the world who has had a particular experience concerning a “one of a kind” subject. Most people don’t want to read about your life until you are dead.