WRITING PRELIMINARIES

 

Too many of us who think of ourselves as writers do not face up to the daily discipline of sitting down to write. A tendency among people with the creative impulse is to wait for moments of inspiration. (Enter Muse. Muse alights upon shoulder and begins to whisper in ear....) Imaginative happenings occur. Unfortunately, we waited too long.

Instead, the writer must establish a creative mood for his or her own writing. Daily routines can help a person generate the feeling of creativity. Everyone can establish his or her own routine, and I'm sure you will find a workable habit for yourself. Here are some suggestions for:

Establishing a Routine

for the

CREATIVE MOOD

  1. Relaxation through exercise: Hatha yoga and a brisk walk are examples of relaxing physical exercises that require deep breathing. Exercise helps clear the mind, allowing for concentration and bring about an alert sense of relaxation.
  2. Schedule: Plan a long-term calendar of completion. Develop a daily schedule that will help you complete the task
  3. Habit: Set aside the same hours everyday for writing. The habit of thinking and working on your project at the same time each day will nurture your creativity on the subject.
  4. Progress: Base your progress on either blocks of time or number of pages.

Three hours is a good length of time for a creative activity. Two pages in three hours are a reasonable goal. However, you will learn how many pages you can produce in a given time.

Your final draft is going to be about thirty pages long.

  1. Place: An atmosphere conducive to creativity can be almost anywhere. I prefer a quiet place where interruptions are few. Where are you comfortable and creative?

According to Augustus Thomas, the successful Nineteenth Century American playwright, Bronson Howard inverted the commuting system by traveling " from New York where he lived, to suburban New Rochelle, while others where commuting to the city. There in a small plain board cabin furnished with a deal table, a hard chair, and a small stove. Howard would "spend his entire day...with his manuscript and his cigars. He carried a small lunch from his home." Being a slow but meticulous worker, he once told Thomas, author of The Witching Hour, "he was satisfied with his day's work if it provided him with ten good lines that would not have to be abandoned."

  1. Equipment: Writing rough drafts with a pencil is OK, if you do not expect anyone else to read it. Of course, the most efficient tool for the writer is the word processor.

Eventually, you are going to have to type a final draft. If you do not type or word process, someone else will perform this vital task.

  1. Begin by developing your personal resources.

Brander Matthews, ed., Papers on Playmaking (New York: Hill and Wang, 1957) 22-23

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