Introduction

A Lesson by Lady KrimZen

This Lesson is just an overview of what this Manual will cover along with some extra notes to help quick start us off.

INTRODUCTION

This Creative Writing Manual includes many great writings tips and some unique insight into the craft of creative writing across a variety of forms and genres. It also includes some valuable insight into the art of creative thinking for writers, which you shall hopefully find very useful.
The manual contains several activities which you are encouraged to attempt.
I hope you enjoy this manual and find it to be very helpful to your development as a writer.

QUOTES OF NOTE

“Writing is its own reward.”
- Henry Miller

“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”
- Sylvia Plath

“It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment?”
- Vita Sackville-West

“Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn’t wait to get to work in the morning; I wanted to know what I was going to say.”
- Sharon O’Brien

“Fill you paper with the breathings of your heart.”
- William Wordsworth

“The story I am writing exists, written in absolutely perfect fashion, some place in the air. All I must do is find it and copy it.“
- Jules Renard

“There are no dull stories, only dull writers.”
- (source unknown)

“I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.”
- James Michener

“As for my next book, I am going to hold myself from writing it till I have it impending in me: grown heavy in my mind like a ripe pear; pendant, gravid, asking to be cut or it will fall.”
- Virginia Woolf

SOME GOLDEN RULES OF WRITING

Before we get started, let’s consider some Golden Rules of writing. If you want to develop your writing to its fullest potential it is imperative that you remember the following:

- Writers write! Sounds simple but it’s important. To develop as an accomplished writer you need to write regularly.

- There is no such excuse as “I don’t have enough time to write.” Of course you do, even if it’s just for two hours on the weekend. Be selfish with your time sometimes if necessary.

- Regularly enter your work in competitions and always be assertive in seeking publishing opportunities.

- Creating great writing can be hard work. Don’t be put off by this. Rarely does genius come in one short, inspired burst.

- Good writers read. You won’t develop much as a writer if you don’t have regular reading habits. Read a wide variety of texts and authors.

- Good writers are great observers. Ideas are everywhere. How many can you see right now?

- Carry a notebook or electronic device to record ideas immediately as they come to you, as they will often appear in the most unlikely of places.

- When writing have a dictionary and thesaurus on hand, the real thing is much better than those on most word processing programs.

- Don’t be afraid of criticism and rejection. Use criticism positively, and remember that J.K. Rowling’s ‘Harry Potter’ was rejected by many, many times.

- Create your own writing environment. Figure out what works best for you in terms of location, time of day, music, lighting, etc.

- Always enjoy your writing. Take a break and clear your mind if it gets too cluttered.

- More often than not, the simplest way to express something is the best.

- When you are on a creative roll, keep it going. Don’t pause and worry about syntax, let the creative beast run free. Corrections can be made later.

- Don’t just make it your goal to produce good writing. Make it your goal to become a great writer.