A Technique Can Turn Things Around

Is your writing suffering? Are you stuck? Is the winter bringing you down? Well, here in Virginia the Farmer's Almanac is more accurate that I would have wished this winter. We've already gotten more snow than any other winter in history! And, my kids have been home. A lot! Which means, you got it, my writing has suffered.

I'm all for any trick or gadget that can help. And, thanks Suzette at Shooting Stars for your recent post linking to the QTBlog. It includes a handy writing technique lets call The 9 Step Method, to get you motivated, organized or help you flesh out any problems with your story.

It is similar in a way to Syd Field's script writing technique. I purchased his book, Screenplay, The Foundations of Screenwriting, last year when I read on ScriptFrenzy that script writing was a great way to learn how to show instead of tell. This made sense to me. After all, movies can't tell (with the exception of the few that have a narrator).

Mr. Field's book is indeed a real help in that way but also in giving you another tool for plotting your story. He gives you a step by step method to ensure your story starts off with a bang, builds character and drama, has a timely climax and a good ending.

Sometimes we writers need a little help clearing out the cobwebs of the creativity block in our brains. Techniques like Mr. Field's and the 9 Step Method can really jump start our writing.

So, if you've been feeling underwhelmed, or your schedule has been rudely interrupted by weather or what have you, or perhaps you're just going through the inevitable down cycle of a writer, give a technique a try. You just never know what's going to give you that kick in the hiney you so need!