I was thinking the other day, and I decided that there are 5 things a writer needs and why. I decided to write it down for all of you.
Computer- I usually need to sit at my computer and just start typing to really get a storyline to work for me. I can come up with a plot, but I can't get it to work unless I'm typing and staring at the light of my laptop's screen. Plus it comes with a spell checker.
Paper & Pen- First off, it should always be pen, pencil smudges and erases. Never erase something because even if it sounds stupid after you write it, who knows, maybe it will work for something later? And I usually keep at least two pens of different colours on me when I'm writing on paper because I can make notes that I know will stand out against the paragraphs of writing. The old fashioned way is good too. I like to write down ideas on paper, and type them up later. Plus, I don't always have access to my computer when I get a fantastic idea, and I can always write something down.
Someone else- Another human being. They don't have to be a writer or an editer, just someone who will listen to your crazy ranting for awhile. Or who will read through your early drafts and point out all your plot holes for you. It's always nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of. I have two: my friend Jess (also a writer) and my sister (who has to sit next to me on the bus every day and listen to my ideas for writing, poor thing). They can point out things or ask questions about something you didn't think about before. They can also give you ideas to go off of in your early stages of writing.
Imagination- Even when writing non-fic you need imagination as a writer. You need to think of a good way of describing something that will make the reader see it in their head. And in fiction you need to make the whole story. Especially the characters, the characters are pivitol in a story, so you have to see these made up events through some made up eyes. I don't know how anyone could do that if they didn't have imagination.
2 comments:
Some good ideas here Jez. What about energy, will, determination and lots of tea and biscuits/ chocolate? I find the ideas come but the writing's the hard bit- sometimes I have to will myself to write. What about you?
Yeah, I definately have days where I have to make myself sit down and write something. And I run on hot chocolate and pizza.
The list was just the top five that would work for every writer. But everything else you mentioned is most always needed.
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