Every learner begins with the basics. In this series, we look at some first steps in creative writing. And, yes, it’s like going back to learn one’s ABCs.

• A is ACTION
• B is for BACKGROUND
• C is for CONFLICT
• D is for DRAMA
• E is for END

In the next few posts, each of these points will have a brief background information. And, each point will be accompanied by a short writing exercise. Please feel free to share your responses in the comments section.

Over the past years that I’ve been working with writers of every kind, I’ve often encountered the question: How do you write and get published?

Every published writer will probably agree with me when I say that there are no hard and fast rules. But, there are some basic guidelines that each writer can try to work with.

Whether you’re a beginning writer trying to get your first writing job or a seasoned writer looking into expanded writing horizons, I plan to share some guidelines and exercises that you might want to look in to in this series.

Here’s a quick summary:

• Study Your Market
• Fatten Up Your Writing Portfolio
• Learn the Art of Writing Queries and Cover Letters
• Be a Networking Writer
• Create an Awesome Total Package
• The More You Write, The More You’ll Write

I’ll be explaining each point accordingly and sharing some “assignments” for you.

We can’t always be filled with ideas every single day of our writing life. And, whenever bright ideas do come, we can’t always write a full-length article, story, or poem about each idea either.

So, in order to find the fine line between not getting stuck and feeling like your brain will burst, you must learn the art of capturing – and generating – ideas. Here’s a simple guide on how
you can go about it:

1) BEGIN AN IDEAS BOOK RIGHT AWAY

This is something that can never be over emphasized. No writer could ever be a real writer without a notebook or journal. This is where you can jot down every idea you have – or want to have.

In fact, not just ideas – you may also jot down quotes, snippets of conversations, verses in a greeting card or the bible, favorite parts of a letter, titles you love, movies, reactions… All these will be a part of your capital in your writing.

2) A PUBLISHED WRITER IS ALWAYS A READING WRITER

It is amazing how beginning writers forget that the best library around is one’s book shelf.

If you will check what kind of books, magazines, and newspapers you read, you’ll know what kind of subjects you could – and should – write about.

As an exercise, I choose twenty favorite books from my book shelf. Although I’ve loved those books I chose for many years, I didn’t realize that I have turned myself into an expert just by collecting and reading (and re-reading) certain types of books. Can you guess the main theme of my favorite books?

Right. Apart from Children’s and Juvenile books, I treasure my writing books the most. Surprise, surprise!

3) WRITING AND RESEARCH COMES HAND-IN-HAND

Keep clippings, photocopies of interesting articles, and other information that catches your fancy. It is also a good idea to make time to always make time to visit the library. One writer I
have read even proposed that every writer should schedule trip to the library at least every six months, spending half a day with books, magazines, newspapers, and journals.

Admittedly though, with the rise of the Internet, research had become so much better and easier for us. While I also recommend trips to “real world libraries,” a regular trip to “virtual
libraries” can be just as good and vital to your writing career. It will definitely boost your ideas book!

4) KEEP A GOOD NETWORK OF RESOURCES

Every writer should be an active part of writers’ groups. We must also try to attend seminars, classes, workshops, and conferences whenever possible.

Being able to communicate with other writers (one of my favorite past times, I must say), is important. It gives us an opportunity to bounce off our ideas and get feedback.

While it is definitely unhealthy to be a reclusive writer, I know some writers who end up being pre-occupied with “networking”. They tend to talk about writing, and not have the time to actually write anymore. Of course, this is the other unhealthy end of the writing continuum.

As writers, our job is really to write. So, last but not the least reminder in this list would be -

5) WRITE EVERYDAY

Yes, even if you don’t feel like doing so. Even if all you had to write is “I don’t feel like writing today.” Just one line a day. Then see how these lines grow.

Writing begets writing, the same way ideas beget ideas.

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Ideas Spin-off
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To start your Ideas Book, make lists of the following (at least 3 in each category):

a) Your Hobbies
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b) Favorite People
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c) Favorite Places
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d) Favorite Words
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Choose two ideas from your list and think of a possible article/piece using those ideas. Write them down and share with the group. Which publication/market do you think will publish the article/piece that you are thinking of?

Write an introduction to each of the article ideas you wish to work on.

(c) Sheila Ann Manuel Coggins. All rights reserved worldwide. Please do not reprint or distribute without permission.