Index Cards:
Index cards are meant to help you remember tasks and ideas. The author always carries them in her back pocket along with her pen, so if she ever sees something worth remembering she can write it down. Like if she hears something that would fit in her story she writes it down. Inspiration can come at random moments, so an index card helps ensure you remember them. Things that make you happy or sad are also things you can write down on your index card. Scenes, characters, plot, and much more are all examples that you can use the index card for.
Calling around:
It helps when you can talk to other people and hear their thoughts and feelings about what you are thinking about writing. Everyone offers different perspectives that you might not have seen. Also they might have more knowledge on a certain topic than you, so it would help to see what they know about it. Picking up the phone can help develop the story. It also helps to get your mind off the story a just talk to someone because writers spend a lot of time alone that some go a little crazy.
Writing groups:
Writing groups help you to get feedback on your story to help improve it. She compares it to going to a camp, where you sit around getting encouraged and feedback on your story. It is a safe place to get honest feedback. It may be harsh at some points, but they are just trying to make you a better writer. Other authors share what works for them and what does not to help you develop strategies. It is beneficial to go to a writing group to improve you and your story.
Someone to read your Drafts:
Many writers do not like having people read their drafts before it is done, but it is beneficial. It helps if you have someone who you trust and feel safe to give you feedback on your story. It catches things that you might not have seen. It lets you see if your story makes sense to others. Getting suggestions only helps you in the end because you might not have saw that point and it may enhance your story.
Letters:
When you get stuck and do not know where to go you should write a letter to someone close to you. Take a piece of paper and write their name at the top and tell them you are telling them a story. Tell them a story about you like your childhood, a favorite memory, or something special to you. These letters can help you remember memories that can be used in your story.
Writers Block:
Writers block happens to everyone. They read what they wrote and it ends up being terrible. It feels like it is the end of the world and that there is nowhere to go. But, a change of mindset can make writers block seem less intense. The author thinks of it as a problem viewed at a wrong angle. In reality it is just that you are empty. So, try to accept that you have hit a roadblock and take a break. She tells her students to write at least three hundred words a day about memories or how much they hate writing just to keep them from losing all touch with writing.
Writing a present:
There are other benefits to writing other then publication. The author has written two books that were presents to loved ones dying. It helped connect her and her father when he was dying by something that can be cherished. Even though a lot of people did not like her story it meant something to her more important. This book could help others going though the same situation.
Finding your voice:
To find your voice you can use other writers style as a example until you find your voice. Finding your voice is important to truly develop you as writer. You must get past feeling like you have to be silenced because you do not. The author suggests to write as if you parents are dead because they are usually the one who tells you what you can say and what you cannot. So, finding your voice is important because it is you and everyone deserves their own voice.
Giving:
Everyday you need to give everything to your writing because more will come for you to give. If you do not constantly give then there is no point in writing. You need to give your story every part of yourself even the hard stuff. It may make you feel like a single parent according to the author. So, writing is all about giving yourself to the story everyday to make it the best you possibly can.
Abbi's Thoughts 