On Sunday March 29, 2015, the Cuyahoga County Public Library/Brooklyn Branch hosted Katherine Clark, Ph.D., professor of English at Notre Dame College, in South Euclid, Ohio.
Dr. Clark highlighted 21 ways writers of both fiction and nonfiction can ignite their writing. Here are Dr. Clark's 21 writing tips:
- Progress Log. Define where you are with a given project, and a timeline for achieving particular results.
- Listing and 10 questions (including, who? what? when? where? why?). List the different aspects of an identified writing goal.
- F//w (Free writing), Looping, (and Excelsior! ). Define a timeline, (Five minutes, ten, etc.); and write whatever comes to mind. When free writing, write as fast you can without stopping, dismiss grammar, spelling, etc.; and stop writing at a pre-determined timeline. "The more you write, the faster you become," says Dr. Long. Looping-analyze your free writing: "What surprises me?," "What disturbs me?," "What do I like?" Circle these finds and use them as your next writing prompt.
- Incubation, rumination, and marination-allow yourself time to go slowly. Practice all three; and maximize thoughts about your writing.
- Morning pages. This technique, attributed to Julia Cameron, author of the classic, "The Artist's Way," suggests arising earlier than usual, and writing about your project.
- Clustering and Mind Mapping (with colors!). Visit Writers Web for examples of Clustering (google mind mapping-writing) for various methods.
- Change the lead. Transform a minor character into a major character as a writing exercise.
- Change the point of view.
- Silent Socratic Dialogue: with a partner. Collaborate with a fellow writer. Each of you writes about your particular writing project, and your goals, for a defined time (five, ten minutes, etc.). Exchange notebooks. Partners write down questions about what the other aims to accomplish. Trade notebooks again and write responses to the partner's questions.
- Success team and create accountability. Identify several trusted people in your network (both writers and non-writers), who'd be willing to read your work and offer feedback and questions on an ongoing basis.
- Write in a different genre. "Our brains can't stand stagnancy," says Dr. Clark.
- Be someone else.
- Funding. As it relates to writing, "fill your well." Use pictures, postcards, etc.; and pair up with a partner. Define a timeline and write down how you perceive the particular images. Trade pictures and repeat the process. Share and learn from your different perspectives.
- Write over the top badly. Make it suck. "Give yourself permission to write terrible," says Dr. Clark. "It's ok."
- Tell your story-auditory; Tell your story-write a letter.
- Find models. Learn from writers already successful in your writing genre.
- Use e.ggtimer as an online tool for writing. Write until you've achieved your predetermined word count (300, 500, 1000 words, etc.). Define a minimal daily task list for your writing.
- Cartoon and storyboard.
- Interview someone.
- Ticking clock-stakes and conflict. Even with non-fiction there needs to be an element of conflict/suspense. (Dr. Clark recommends watching the classic Western, High Noon, even if you're not a fan of the movie genre).
- Baby steps. Break down your writing project into years, months, weeks, days, etc. "Baby steps add up," says Dr. Clark.
- Keep a Progress Log. Dr. Clark returns full-circle to the first point. A Progress Log is that important.
Twenty-eight branches comprise the Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) system; which ranks among the nation's top 25 public libraries (according to the American Library Association).
CCPL offers free writing programs year-round, including fiction writing, writing for children, and online writing courses.
To access CCPL's online writing classes, visit Cuyahoga County Public Library, click on Resources, choose Resources A-Z, and choose Universal Class (home access requires a CCPL library card and PIN).
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