How to just let go and write..?

Question

How do you just let go and write? I'm a perfectionist, how do I just write, and not worry whether it's good or bad? Knowing that I can come back, later on, and edit and revise it? But for now I just have to let myself go and let go and write?

Thanks,

Kiara

P.S. I realize I have been asking a lot of questions here, but I'm just looking for input. Thank you!! :)

Answer 1

I would say just get in the habit of writing every day. Don't worry about finding the "perfect" first sentence of a chapter or story, just write. You might begin with writing character bios or analysis. Just exploring who the characters, what motivates them, what they like/dislike, who they get along with, etc. Really get inside their heads so you can know them backwards and forwards. Knowing your characters intimately will help you write not only narration but will help with your dialogue as well. If you don't know them, new writers and some not-so-new writers can create very stilted unbelievable dialogue that doesn't sound like any conversation that 'real' people would have.

Also I've heard that writers can 'grow' or 'benefit' from writing down their observations of the world around them. People-watching if you will. Learning to pay closer attention to the world around them, noting details, learning to create perspectives and points of view in their writing.

I've read one exercise from a book where they encouraged new writers to select a random photo/picture and just by looking at the picture create a character sketch and flesh it out.

Answer 2

Hi, Kiara. Right now the most important part about being a writer is that you need to commit to writing for you and you alone. That doesn't mean that you will not share your work, or that you won't ever have an audience. It also doesn't mean that the eventual audience is not important. It means that you need to make a commitment to yourself to write because you love it, and you love how you feel while you're writing, as opposed to loving how you feel when other people tell you that your writing is good. Then find a place where you won't be distracted by anyone. Turn off the phone, disconnect from the internet *if possible, use a seperate computer than the one that is connected to the net...* and just start writing. At first you mights stare at a blank screen for awhile, but eventually you will just start writing. The distraction of wanting to correct and perfect everything seems to come from a fear of what a critical reader other than you might think if they were to read what you wrote. Take into consideration that other will criticize your work whether you proof and primp over it or not. It's just part of being a writer.

Answer 3

Have you ever tried clustering? Where you put one word in center of page or even one of your characters....and then circle it..and out to the side in smaller circles, just write whatever words come to mind. I have found it to be a huge help. Also, try writing the story backwards, start with the end and find how the characters arrive there....

And Kiara...writers are by nature perfectionists, just be aware that we are all worrywarts. If you accept this about yourself, it will release the guilt that we all feel from time to time...and you have to be your own cheerleader sometimes as well, yes, it's good, of course, YOU wrote it, but the question is will it grip others?

Answer 4

No matter what you do to a piece of writing whether it is literary or essay it can never be perfect.

Maybe you can make phases for your writing, you divide the writing process into sections, in the first and second one, just pour your thoughts on paper (keeping in mind that you will come back to the piece and edit it)

P.S editing is very very important if one is serious about writing...

Answer 5

The most difficult part of writing is sitting down. Sit down and write. Don't look at anything except what you want to express with your words. Don't ever hold back for fear of what someone might think of you. This is your draft. Do it for yourself. And just remember the old, steadfast rule to write about something you know.

Why do you think it takes people five years to write a book? It is not easy. If you have something to say, SAY IT !!!!!!

Answer 6

don't think about grammar and punctuation when you are writing. Just get the words out, then you can go back and edit. Try keeping a private journal. That will get you in the habit of writing without worrying about the technicalities.

Answer 7

Just sit somewhere quiet or some where you feel inspired. Then let your emotions take control and just write about something you believe in. If you think too hard about grammer, you won't be able to write a really creative piece.

Answer 8

Just sit and write whatever comes to you. Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes it doesn't. But, you can always go back and get things in order. But, yeah...just let your thoughts flow and clean up later.

Answer 9

hey, take it from someone who also writes...just sit down and start writing how you feel. I can sometimes get chapters of my stories..or an idea for them by doing some wierd stuff. Just sit down and write.

theres an idea for you. (i mostly write fanfiction, but its still writing)