#start writing

Like, no. It's done by practice. You'll write a shitty story, before a good one. And, even after writing a good story, you'll write another shitty one. It's fine. It's art. It's accessible to everyone.

Sure, having an education on prose and writing structures might help you. It's easier for some to follow a structure than to write freely. But, it isn't necessary. It's not the only way or the correct way to write.

I've been writing for 9 years. And, I'm not some untouchable god who only writes good stories. I write shitty stories sometimes. I write stories that make me doubt my ability to write. I write silly goofy things.

Brainstorming is a useful tool to have up your sleeve. The best time to exercise this is when you are trying to think of a new project to start, or if you get stuck on a project you're currently working on.

So today we're talking about how to brainstorm.

Method 1: Get it All Out

Our first method is the "get it all out" method. This is where you sit down and just write every idea that comes to your head. It could be a plot, it could be a tiny piece of worldbuilding, it could be just a character concept - get it all down. There's no 'bad' ideas at this stage.

One thing to keep in mind with this method: you do have to write it down. It may be tempting to just think through ideas and write down your favorites, but that isn't what the exercise is for. You never know what tiny crumb of an idea is going to be the thing that helps move you forward. Write it down: we can sort through it later.

Method 2: Mindless Tasks

I used to write a lot more when I was in high school. Why? Because I was tuning out math class by daydreaming. If you are the kind of writer that gets their best ideas in the shower, or while driving, cooking dinner, going on long walks - that is your hint that your brainstorming sessions lie in mundane tasks. Practice keeping a notebook nearby or having your phone record you talking out loud. (Just make sure you're being safe, especially while driving please!)

It wouldn't be a bad idea to those mundane times as a resource. Recently I got stuck on how I wanted a character's backstory to go and my first step to figuring it out was: "I'm going to go take a shower". It might feel counter-intuitive to walk away from my word document but I know I'll have thoughts in the shower that help me work through the questions.

Method 3: Rubber Duck Theory

This method is for specifically when you get stuck. Stop and explain your plot or character dilemma to something like a rubber duck: something that is just sitting there blankly for you to talk at.

Sometimes you'll find that just explaining and talking through the situation, you stumble upon an answer.

Those are three methods I use. How do you best brainstorm?

Happy writing,

Marina

Oh — I promise Im looking respectfully

like i feel like a couple of munch writers just drop out of existence after a huge run of xreader fics? like is it a reflection on the fandom dyt? i never thought of us as pushy but idk whats happening in the inbox obs...

idk, personally i wish there were more fics and thats why im so sad with the sudden drop in activity?

P.S. i dont mean this in a rude or acusatory way but would really appreciate another writer's insight or opinion on this matter

i don’t find this rude or accusatory! unfortunately, this is a very common ordeal in many fandoms

using personal experience and knowledge from other writing friends, i can help expand on this to the best of my ability— but know it’s not a simple answer, and it’s really not a “one size fits all”. it could be a myriad of things or a very specific thing that may not even be listed

writing is hard. some days it feels like the stars and planets must be aligned perfectly to get a single sentence down. some days authors can knock out pages upon pages of work without trying. some days authors think about writing, they have the perfect song blasting and all the inspiration, but no time or no energy to. sometimes we get whacked in the face with writer's block. it's just life, really. life is wonderful and confounding and... demanding. sometimes things happen that can't be ignored

then you have fandom etiquette to consider, which is something new to those who are joining creative spaces for the first time (or, sadly a possibility, something that's been forgotten). i'm sure a post like "authors please remember to keep writing for yourselves," or, "reminder to leave kudos and comments on fics you like!" has come across your dash at some point. sometimes people forget there is a person behind the screen. they forget about ^ those reasons up there, they forget authors cannot be instantly attached to a prompt/request and pump out a 3k piece of fiction. or they are, and do, only for it to receive very little attention. it can be discouraging. moreso when people are unkind or demanding in inboxes

aaaaand it's been 30 mins since i finished ep 6 and i cannot stop crying i miss them sooo much already

Starting any writing project is a huge step. To go from 'idea' to 'draft' is one of the hardest parts of the writing process - and those difficulties come from a variety of spaces. There's the issue of finding the time, there's trying to maintain the passion, there's your inner critic telling you "hey this sucks".

But you can and should start - and I have to take my own advice on that. I started this writing blog before the pandemic, and once it hit, I lost all my motivation. So here are a few tips for getting started so we can do it together.

Your First Draft Sucks

A difficult but crucial first step is turning off that inner critic. As long as you are trying to be perfect, it's easy to second guess yourself, and prevent yourself from going forward. You'll never reach paragraph two if you are obsessing over paragraph one.

Let yourself write the first draft as poorly as you want. It is going to be easier to polish a finished work than it will be to prefect it along the way. You have time for a second draft, third, tenth, as many as you need.

It's common advice, it's easier said than done, but accepting that your first draft is not meant to be good is freeing.

Something is Better Than Nothing

The truth is - it doesn't have to be every day.

Maybe it's just me, but I get very stuck on 'streaks'. I tell myself I'll start at the beginning of the week, I'll write X amount of words per day. The first time I fall short, I failed. I'll try again next week.

You don't need a milestone to start - it doesn't need to be the beginning of the week or the month. If you set a word goal, and you fall short, something is still better than nothing.

Write every day if you can. It's a really, really great habit to get into - but "write every day" is great advice as long as it doesn't hold you back. Start today. Write as much as you have time for. If that's daily, amazing, but if it's weekly, if it's just Sunday afternoons, if it's only 50 words a month: that is better than nothing. Do what you can.

Making in a Habit

If your goal is to write every day, the best way to do that is to build a habit. Forcing yourself to write daily can get the job done, but in my experience, making it something that you enjoy and love is so much better.

When I get ready to write, I prepare a cup of tea. I have a writing playlist. I turn off the other distractions - even writing-adjacent distractions. (I start writing and 15 minutes in I absolutely have to stop to google exactly what a young girl would call her father in Bactria in the year 330BC).

If you find yourself googling random facts, checking social media, and getting caught in distractions, an extension like Cold Turkey might get you to focus. If you hit something you need to research, make a note! Skip it and come back to it later. If you have a fact you need to research, make a note and come back to it. Otherwise, turn off your phone, have our drink and snack ready. Go to the bathroom, lock your door, light a candle.

Make your writing time a privilege. Candle lit, music on, lights dimmed, drink in hand. Distractions and notifications turned off. It should be something you look forward to, a time that is quiet and welcoming.

Whatever you are working on: the real point is to just get words on the page. You can clean it up later but for now, getting started is the best thing.

Good luck and happy writing,