What to write…
No, I’m not talking about lack of inspiration; I’m talking about finding your form.
There are so many people I talk to who desperately want to write something. They don’t know what it is, but they know they have the desire to put pen to paper.
As with most things to do with writing, finding your ideal form is a labor of love. Many people who want to write but have yet to try it, look at friends who write and want to try writing that. Or, they read novels and think they should write novels.
That isn’t the case at all. I love reading flash fiction, but that doesn’t mean flash fiction is the best form for me. There isn’t a lot of poetry I actively follow, but I adore writing poetry.
This post was inspired by talking to a friend of a friend. He always wanted to write novels, but felt he lacked the creativity to write an entire novel. (It’s not at all a matter of a lack of creativity.) His specialty was more for shorter pieces.
I introduced him to flash fiction.
Finding your form isn’t just finding the type of writing that is best for you, though. It is also finding what works best to help get you writing. My friend had difficulties coming up with ideas for his writing.
I told him about exercises and prompts.
Flash fiction might not work for him, and/or writing exercises and prompt might not work for him. However, it is a start.
Part of the joy of writing is exploring, not just within yourself and the worlds you create but within the craft. Try writing something of another genre. If you’re a novelist, try writing a poem. It’s hard to leave your comfort zone, especially if you truly feel you have a good thing going, but what do you have to lose?
And look at all you might have to gain.
February 8th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Well, I write poetry…and then everything else I work on ends up looking like…poetry. This is working out surprisingly well for my wee fanfiction that I’m working on for my husband.
February 8th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Working on a fanfiction? Cool. Based off…? At least you’re trying new things.
February 9th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Doctor Who. My fella has recently gotten addicted to Doctor Who fanfiction (He’s reading! OMG Who is he and what has he done with my husband?) I’m doing pretty well for someone who can never seem to finish any fiction. I’m halfway done with parts 3,4 & 6 now. (fingers crossed)
February 9th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Awesome job! It does help to have someone reading.
Though that’s not always the way it goes. Hehehe. I’d be interested to see what you have. 
February 9th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
If/when I finish it, and overcome my nervousness enough to get my friend to beta it, I will send you a link…and I am planning on posting it on whofic.com. *knock wood*
February 9th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Awesome.
March 13th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
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March 16th, 2007 at 10:33 am
It’s tough finding your genre. Everybody can’t be a novelist. Everyone can’t write poetry. Luckily for me flash fiction is a perfect fit. You’re right. Just get some words down on paper and experiment. It’s the only way. I’ve been published by Word Riot, Chick Flicks Ezine, The Pittsburgh Quarterly, Ellipsis, Brilliant and have stories forthcoming in Poetic Diversity and The Steel City Review. There are a lot of writing tips on my site. Check them out. There may be something there that helps.
March 16th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Congratulations on all the publications, and thanks for the link. I’ll check out your site.