Jul 17 2010
Where To Start When Writing Fiction
Although there are many places to start when you first decide you want to write fiction, this is one way that I regularly recommend.
At a regular time of day, sit down with a ‘first line writing prompt’ and just write for ten minutes.
For me the length of time is significant because most of us struggle to find extra time in our day, even for things we consider a priority. Yet ten minutes can usually be found, for example while waiting for your coffee to cool, for the children to walk from school to the car, for the vegies to cook. Ten minutes’ are everywhere, and while it would be good to find longer, and maybe you can, the main thing is to start an achievable habit of putting words on a page.
A ‘first line writing prompt’, is as you may have guessed a writing prompt that gives you the first line of your story. (You can find a new one listed here every day.) Often the challenge with writing is knowing where to start, what to write about and sometimes even facing a blank page, this style of writing prompt overcomes all of these.
So simply find your ten minutes and start writing. If you don’t finish the story that’s okay. If it’s complete and utter rubbish that’s okay too. The main thing is that you are putting words on the page, and have started a routine. Believe me, with practice, you will surprise yourself with the quality and creativity of your stories, and you will finish them – maybe not always in the ten minutes, but you will finish them.