Rules for Getting the Story Down

1. Write it fast, fix it later.

2. Commit to writing 16 ½ minutes per day or 3 hours per week. If it is easier for you, commit to writing 3 pages a day.

3. Quality is more important than quantity. If you only get one paragraph done but it conveys your feelings and paints a picture the reader can see, then it is good.

4. Write stand-alone anecdotes, stories or chapters. You can connect them later with a theme, but if you don't the "pearls" will still have great value.

5. Make sure each piece has a "hook" which brings the reader in, a "middle" which gives the necessary information and the "end" which teaches a moral, makes us laugh or delivers the point. The end is usually tied in with the hook.

6. Don't worry about literary style. Write your story as if you were sitting at the kitchen table swapping tales. Be yourself.

7. Include lots of details. Remember what was going on in society, the family, and the neighborhood as well as physically and emotionally with the people involved in the story.

8. Remember the five senses. Sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and feel. Help the reader relive the memory with you.

9. Edit out 10%. You will be amazed at how much better it is when you take out the extra words and phrases. Now edit out another 10%.

10. Let others read it for content, grammar and flow. Listen to their suggestions. If one or two people tell you the same thing it is an opinion, however if 3 or more tell you it is an observation that you should definitely consider.

11. Don't allow others or yourself to criticize too much. You are your own worst critic. It doesn't have to be perfect or to please everyone. It just has to be done. Many generations will be grateful you took the time, energy and risk to record some small part of history.

12. Re-write or correct passages. Let it sit for a few days and then you may want to tighten it some more.

13. Include some memorabilia or photos to bring the manuscript to life. You may find copies of newspaper articles, letters, cartoons, maps etc. that will add interest and information.

14. Finish the thing! It will never be completely done but bring it to a logical conclusion and be able to let it go and start on another project.

You are a writer -never forget it- just keep writing!

If you are interested in getting the answers to these and other questions about life story writing, please contact us at judywright@artichokepress.com and sign up for a tele-class and our FREE e-zine: "The Artichoke" - finding the heart of the story in the journey of life..

©Judy H. Wright, Personal and Oral Historian - www.artichokepress.com

---

Greatness

[When I was a nineteen-year-old high school student and budding... Read More

Rules for Getting the Story Down

1. Write it fast, fix it later.2. Commit to writing... Read More

To Tell If You Are A Literary Snob

"I don't know if I should put 'writer' on my... Read More

Top Ten Great Headline Ideas

What Makes a Great Headline?Headlines are far more important than... Read More

How To Write More Powerful Reports

There is one key difference between reports and most other... Read More

Nobody Likes A Rambler

We all know people who ramble. They include every boring... Read More

Persisting With Bulldog Determination

Persisting With Bulldog Determination [Book excerpt from Successercising} by Rick... Read More

Write Your Life

Take out a white piece of paper and place it... Read More

Recommendation Letters Demystified

There is a lot of confusion about recommendation letters.Recommendation letters... Read More

Inspiring the Poet in You!

Poems. Just the mention of them makes me smile. Why?... Read More

If You Want to Succeed As a Writer, Dont Just Think It, Do It

It never ceases to amaze me when a prospective writer... Read More

Break in with Fillers: The Best Market for New Writers

Interested in breaking into writing or breaking into a new... Read More

Top 7 Writers Sites for 2005

If you dream of turning your book into a best... Read More

Platform Development Tip #1: Switch Writing Hats!

Around eighty percent of nonfiction books today are written by... Read More

How To Co-Publish For Profits!

The Benefits of Co-Publishing There are a number of publishers,... Read More

How to Come Up with Fresh Story Ideas

How to Come Up with Fresh Story Ideas When Your... Read More

Realize Your Book Dream In 2005!

If you haven't realized the success you wanted last year,... Read More

Writing Secrets You Must Know

Writing better is critical for students. But it's even more... Read More

The Heart of the Delay: Harnessing The Wisdom of Procrastination (AKA Writers Block)

I am sure that at in some era, at some... Read More

Open a Vein

If you want to be a writer, you must write... Read More

How To Write Cover Letters That Work

Sometimes there is confusion about the exact meaning of the... Read More

Learn to Talk on Paper: The Art of Effective Business Writing

Rudolf Flesch, a specialist in writing skills, ran classes... Read More

The Makings of a Personal Essay, Really

Sometimes I can be dense when it comes to realizing... Read More

Five Tips to Find More Time for Your Writing Life

When I asked new ezine subscribers, "What is your Number... Read More

You Can Be An Author

"You should write a book." For years, I had been... Read More

Be Concise

Concision. (Sounds like I made up another word.) It's the... Read More

Message to Online Writers: Dont Give Up On A Good Idea

The writing community is a strong one, with many new... Read More

Writing Made Them Rich #5: Peter Mayle

Peter Mayle was born in England in 1939.His fascination with... Read More

Are You Feeling Dash-ing? Using Punctuation for Effect and Influence

The dash--that curious mark of punctuation people use in their... Read More

Discover the Writer Hiding Inside You

Has the thought run across you mind that you might... Read More

Writing Internal Newsletters: How to Build Your Network and Your Reputation

To help build your profile and reputation within a large... Read More

Screenwriting and Screenwriters ? beyond Syd Field

Without denigrating the work and contribution of Syd Field to... Read More

Talent or Toil

As in all endeavors, toil is necessary to succeed and... Read More