The Creative Process
How exactly do the pros summon their muse? To outline or not to outline? These are the sorts of issues we look at in our section on the creative process.

One thing is certain, there are almost as many ways to create stories as there are storytellers. While everyone does have to find their own way to ignite their creativity, there are common ways to channel your efforts in more productive ways.

The first thing you have to do is get your butt in a chair, with a word processor or a writing tablet, and start writing. Start with the first thoughts or images that you have in your mind about what you want to write about. Just get those images and ideas down any way you can.

It does not have to be beautiful. For every writer, no matter how famous, first drafts are nowhere near the quality of a final draft. Don't worry that your initial writings are very rough. You will spend time making them beautiful later. For now, just get your ideas down and get used to writing.

Many people prefer to outline heavily, while others use more general kinds of notes.You willl have to find out what works for you by trying different things.

From Robert Heinlein's 1947 essay "On the Writing of Speculative Fiction".
1 You must write.
2 You must finish what you write.
3 You must refrain from rewriting, except to editorial order.
4 You must put the work on the market.
5 You must keep the work on the market until it is sold.
6 (unofficial) Start working on something else .

Related Links
NaNoWriMo plot discussion
NaNoWriMo outlining discussion
100 Things to Know about your Character
Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Method
The Phase Method (Recommended)

Back to the page On Writing.