Lesson 1: Deciding How You Lesson 1: Deciding How You WriteWrite

Making decisions for clear, concise Making decisions for clear, concise creative contentcreative content

ObjectivesObjectives

•To enumerate pre-writing steps which make the process of creative writing easier

•To list the dos and don’ts of writing effective, understandable content

ObjectivesObjectives

•To enumerate decisions to be made before, during and after writing

•To illustrate how to know one’s limits and boundaries when writing

Phase 1: Pre-WritingPhase 1: Pre-Writing

In this phase: gathering material, listing down ideas, conceptualizing

Live Your LifeLive Your Life

• Writing is possible, no matter what your day job is.

• There is great material to write about, everywhere.

Live Your LifeLive Your Life“Air and light and time and space” by Charles Bukowski

no baby, if you're going to createyou're going to create whether you work16 hours a day in a coal mineoryou're going to create in a small room with 3 childrenwhile you're on welfare,you're going to create with part of your mind and yourbody blown away,

Pay AttentionPay Attention

• Look around—observe people, places, smells, noises.

• Try new things.

• Pay attention to details in your environment.

Bring A NotebookBring A Notebook

• Don’t let good ideas pass you by.

• Always be prepared to take notes.

• Practice writing in your spare time.

Read In TransitRead In Transit

• We learn to write by learning to read.

• Read in your spare time or in transit—on the bus, on the train, while waiting in line.

• Reading in transit is not bad for your health.

Phase 2: WritingPhase 2: Writing

In this phase: organizing your ideas and putting them down on paper

Every Minute CountsEvery Minute Counts

• Set aside a few minutes a day for your writing—no matter how short the interval, it matters.

• Be faithful to the schedule you set.

• Write everyday, if you can.

Come Up With A Good Come Up With A Good ConceptConcept• Decide on the genre (poetry, prose, fiction, non-fiction?).

• Make an outline to avoid confusion.

Know Your AudienceKnow Your Audience• Who will your work cater to?

• Tailor the language accordingly.

• Ex:

Children’s books use simple language because they will be read by kids, who are just starting to read.

Don’t Avoid Criticism Don’t Avoid Criticism

• Don’t take it personally.

• Use it to improve your work.

• Get varied opinions on your work.

Don’t Be Afraid to ReviseDon’t Be Afraid to Revise

• Writing is a skill: there is no such thing as a “born” writer.

• Don’t be afraid to make changes, if you need to.

Master Your MethodMaster Your Method

• Where are you comfortable writing?

• What time of day are you most productive?

• Do you prefer typing or writing in longhand?

• These are crucial to your productivity as a writer.

Know Your LimitsKnow Your Limits

• What areas do you need to improve in?

• How can you make these improvements?

• How will doing this help you move forward?

Do Your ResearchDo Your Research• Get your facts right.

• Don’t be afraid to Google what you don’t know.

• Check your spelling and grammar.

• When in doubt, check references.