It's happened to every new mother. The baby is crying. She's checked the diaper, fed the new bundle of joy and has been trying for over an hour to rock him to sleep. Yet instead of quiet bliss the new mom is rewarded with piercing screams.
When it comes to writing, sometimes the same thing occurs. You've followed the written plans of what you should do. You've created a plot, developed characters, created quirky dialogue and still the story is off. It's as if your characters are trying to beat you over the head with a broom. It's your writer's instinct intervening.
Writer's instinct is the intuition that a writer has that something is missing from their work in progress (manuscript); it is that quiet voice that says that indeed something on some level isn't fitting correctly. The more one writes the better attuned one becomes in hearing the quiet voice.
When the writer is plagued by such, it is best to dive in, and be ready to listen.
1.Cause and effect
Does the plot make sense? Are the effects logical to the story or is a part of it forced? The writer's instinct trumps. If for some reason a nagging feeling is telling you that the cause or effect is not working, then it is best to analyze why and attempt to ascertain a solution. Just as the newborn is unable to speak words to clarify its discomfort, it is the same with story. It cannot tell you if the plot has holes or where it may need to be fine tuned. Instead all it can do is cry for your attention and hope that your instinct and fine handling will make it possible to become a better work in progress and ultimately a finished story.
2. Analysis - who, what, when, where, why and how
Make sure to ask the difficult questions. If for some reason you feel that something just isn't right with your story then there is a good chance that your reader will too. Take the needed time to analyze it.
3. Get help
When one is new in any field, including motherhood, even the basics have to be learned. In writing, this principle is the same. Don't be afraid to ask someone's opinion; to discuss your story with a trusted critique partner, family member or friend. Sometimes through conversation one is able to gain insight into the problem and come up with a new solution on how to fix it.
Each day brings new opportunities and chances to discover the writer within. Take the time to nurture your creativity and when you need it the most, it won't disappoint. The writer's instinct is there to help to make you a better writer. Let it whisper softly into your ear.
When it comes to writing, sometimes the same thing occurs. You've followed the written plans of what you should do. You've created a plot, developed characters, created quirky dialogue and still the story is off. It's as if your characters are trying to beat you over the head with a broom. It's your writer's instinct intervening.
Writer's instinct is the intuition that a writer has that something is missing from their work in progress (manuscript); it is that quiet voice that says that indeed something on some level isn't fitting correctly. The more one writes the better attuned one becomes in hearing the quiet voice.
When the writer is plagued by such, it is best to dive in, and be ready to listen.
1.Cause and effect
Does the plot make sense? Are the effects logical to the story or is a part of it forced? The writer's instinct trumps. If for some reason a nagging feeling is telling you that the cause or effect is not working, then it is best to analyze why and attempt to ascertain a solution. Just as the newborn is unable to speak words to clarify its discomfort, it is the same with story. It cannot tell you if the plot has holes or where it may need to be fine tuned. Instead all it can do is cry for your attention and hope that your instinct and fine handling will make it possible to become a better work in progress and ultimately a finished story.
2. Analysis - who, what, when, where, why and how
Make sure to ask the difficult questions. If for some reason you feel that something just isn't right with your story then there is a good chance that your reader will too. Take the needed time to analyze it.
3. Get help
When one is new in any field, including motherhood, even the basics have to be learned. In writing, this principle is the same. Don't be afraid to ask someone's opinion; to discuss your story with a trusted critique partner, family member or friend. Sometimes through conversation one is able to gain insight into the problem and come up with a new solution on how to fix it.
Each day brings new opportunities and chances to discover the writer within. Take the time to nurture your creativity and when you need it the most, it won't disappoint. The writer's instinct is there to help to make you a better writer. Let it whisper softly into your ear.
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