| Starter | quadmom |
| Updated | Aug 25, 2010 9:31 PM |
| Replies | 5 |
| Unseen | 5 |
I am by no means professional, so take this with a grain of salt (or three).
You should start with an outline, no matter how skeletal. Decide whether you want to go chronological or by some other order.
I usually move on to basically writing short stories for each chapter, making sure they tie to the next(and in the case of fiction that proper setup and foreshadowing for future events get put in. That doesn't seem as necessary for your work.
I would suggest starting a diary. You set a little time aside each day, maybe five minutes just to quick jot down what the day was like. Then maybe when you have some more time organize it and make it into a real book. You can keep the diary theme or just make a story out of it. Your choice. That's at least what I did when I wrote a dairy of my life as a foster sister.
I think you need to figure out what makes you click, but my suggestions are;
Pick a time of day to write and stick to it (I know people say 'go with the flow' but in real life we all have responsibilities that need attention and can push smaller, more personal pleasures to the sidelines. Writing should enrich your life, not complicate it. Eventually, your brain will turn on and go 'book mode' allowing you to focus and get some real work done.
Find an area that is organized to your personality (be it organized chaos or loads of white walls and clean surfaces) and one that inspires you - but not so much its a distraction.
Then, you need to decide if you just want to go for it, literally bash away until you have all your thoughts out on paper (my way of working), then going back and refining, tying up plot holes etc or, by writing a chapter by chapter outline that (in theory) will guide you and keep you steady.
Everyone finds their own pace, be it relaxed jots every now and again to intense days of nothing but bashing at a keyboard. Find your own and the words will flow.
Just an addition to those who recommended jotting notes: keep a pad or some paper with you. That way when your children say something funny, do something memorable, or you just think of a way to describe something you can capture it immediately. So many of my greatest lines have been lost when I couldn't remember them later that day.
I have been wanting to write a book about the funny experiences that I have had while raising my now 6 year old Quadruplets. I love to write but since having the kids have not had much time. I am curious if anyone has any ideas for how to get thoughts organized and on paper to make for a good read! I appreciate any advice! thanks!