How to write fiction my way

To learn how to write fiction my way, first I have to ask you to dump everything you’ve already learned through formal courses in high school and college or anywhere else.

Does that seem like too much to ask? Possibly not, if I can replace that knowledge and experience with something much more important.

You’ve already figured out that there’s a catch—right?

Pick up a notebook and pen and find a quiet place where you can be undisturbed. Ask yourself what means more to you than anything else (do NOT respond, "to learn how to write fiction my way!").

What turns you on? Angers or excites you? Makes you want to go out and DO something about it?

Who are your favorite people? Why? Can you describe one of these persons?

Have you experienced pain, loss, trauma, tragedy, joy, peace of mind…?

Choose one of those feelings and one experience linked to those feelings. Then jot down some words and phrases that express that experience most poignantly.

Then, start to write. Let the words come from that place within that is so attached to the feeling, it is as if you are drawing out the words from somewhere deep inside… and each of these words is integrally connected to that feeling.

Do NOT be concerned about grammar, punctuation, usage, style or anything you learned in school.

Just make sure you’re getting the feeling right, or the description right… that it is matching your soul picture of what it is you want and need to express.

If you find yourself clamming up, stop. Put away the pad and pen and go outside for a walk or a swim. Go get an ice cream cone.

AND tomorrow… here is the most important step of all: at the same time, or close to the same time, repeat the same process. Find a quiet place where you will be undisturbed and start to feel and ask questions. Take notes…

The name of the game is “getting to know yourself.”

You have all the writing tools for learning how to write fiction inside. You just have to practice tapping into that wellspring.

And I’m here to help you, as your writing coach and mentor.

For more information on how to write fiction my way, click here.

For information on how to write a novel, click here.

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