Peggy Zortman, from the recent TWJ Workshop

PART I

Most of my writing lately has consisted of putting words in the mouth of my former shelter dog, Chase. But I have also written about cats and rabbits and goats and birds and butterflies.

A few points I always keep in mind are:

KNOW YOUR ANIMAL

Know the natural habits of the animal. Unless you’re writing fantasy a horse does not climb a tree and a groundhog cannot fly.

Know your particular animals habits. In the case of a dog . . . Does it like naps? Does it run away? Does it like people (adults, kids, senior citizens)? Is it a lap dog or a hunter?

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

For whom are you writing? If children, what ages? Or is you story more for adults? To tell the truth I’m writing for myself with the hope that others will like what I write.

WHY ARE YOU WRITING

Is your article for entertainment or enlightenment? Will it be fact or fiction?

USE YOU IMAGINATION

For me this is the most important tool of my story telling. It is very necessary if you are writing fiction, less important if you are writing a documentary. A sense of humor is a good thing too — for what I write.

PART II

I believe each writer has his or her own style and his or her own way of telling a story. What follows is the way I develop mine.

Inspiration strikes

My inspiration comes from what I see, what I hear, what I do and sometimes from a memory or from what I dream.

Make a note

Perhaps just a word or phrase – or maybe take a picture. I always have pencil and paper handy. In this day and age smart phones mean I have a camera too.

Think about it

I let the idea roll around in my imagination trying different ways to say what I want to say. First person? Third Person? Perhaps a funny adventure begins or maybe a sad lesson is learned. Here again – am I teaching or entertaining?

Sit down and write what comes easily

Sometimes it’s only the first paragraph, sometimes it’s a chapter and sometimes it’s the entire story.

Walk away

I do something with my hands, crochet, cook, work in the garden, clean animal pens – something physical that takes my mind completely off writing.

Think about it

While I’m working my subconscious apparently does the work and the story comes back while I’m resting – maybe just before going to sleep, or perhaps while I’m sitting on my swing watching the grass grow.

Sit down and write to the end

Now I sit down and write what I’ve been thinking about. I don’t worry about format or spelling and punctuation. I have to get my thoughts on paper. I often use pencil and paper then transfer to the computer later. 

Read it out loud

I read that first draft to myself or to my dog. Chase is a good listener, especially if I’m scratching his ears at the same time.

Rewrite

Now is when I transfer to the computer. Spelling and Grammar are easier to correct and formatting helps me think if I’m stuck. I always find rough spots or things I should have said or should not have said.

Have someone else read it – or better yet several someones.

I learned a long time ago that I cannot proofread my own writings. I tend to read what I’m thinking instead of what I’m seeing. Having someone else read helps me find those problems. An tough and honest reader will point out what may be wrong with what I’m doing. It hurts sometimes; but I’d rather know before it reaches a public market where I’m trying to look professional.

Read out loud again

I make any updates that seem right to me (It’s still my story) then once again read it out loud – this time to my husband. If Bill says, “That sounds good.” I’m in. If he says, “That doesn’t make any sense.” I try again. Now and then he says, “I really like that!” which brightens my day and makes for a very happy household.

Rewrite again

Again I do corrections, additions or deletions.

Finish

I’m never really finished with what I’m writing until it is published.

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS:

Now and then I have a dream so vivid I have to jot down what I remember and fill in the blanks as soon as I can.

Now and then when I sit down to write something, words flow quickly without effort from somewhere. I’m left to wonder if I was really the one doing the writing.

Now and then I scrap the entire idea.

Now and then a second attempt takes me in a new direction and the words flow easily.

MOST OF THE TIME the journey from inspiration to finish takes work and it takes time. Work hard and don’t rush. 

Wait a minute! I just re-read what I wrote. You know, I think most of these ideas would work no matter what you may be writing — just write.